The Power of Religious Jewelry

The Worlds population is about 6.8 billion people. Of that population the top six Religions or belief systems are as follows:

1. Christianity (about 2.1 billion)
2. Islam (about 1.5 billion)
3. Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist (about 1.1 billion)
4. Hinduism (about 900 million)
5. Chinese traditional religion (about 394 million)
6. Buddhism (about 376 million)

The source for this list was found at Adherents.com/ Religions_By_Adherents.html

However from another web site: MapsOfWorld.com/World-Religion-Map.html they show the top six world relgions to be as follows:

1. Christianity
2. Islam
3. Buddhism and Toaism
4. Hinduism
5. Buddhism
6. Jewish

The second list omits the "Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist" system of beliefs and includes both "Buddhism and Toaism" and "Buddhism" seperately. I do not understand the difference between the two. Does anyone else know what makes them different?

What is "Religion" that makes it so powerful? Religion for the sake of this post is a "system or set of beliefs that one identifies with that gives one a sense of understanding about ones place in this world".

People seem to have an internal need to have answers to their relationship between themselves, this world and what happens after death.

It would be nice if it ended there but despots and megalomaniacs through the ages have used religion to advance their own sadistic desires on mankind. There rally cry is derived through their religious tenants.

Because religion answers questions that every soul holds dear, they seem, at least in times past to be easily manipulated through religion to do unspeakable things to those of other religions.

Now that we see how powerful religion is in secular living lets delve into religion on a more uplifting note.

People have questions and needs and Religions have answers and fulfill needs. This post isn't to decide who is right or wrong as far as Religions go but rather to see the power of Religions in everyday life and therefore also see what makes Religious Jewelry so powerful of a fashion statement.

When people feel satisfied with thier religious affliation then they look to symbols or icons to help them remember aspects of thier religions. These religious symbols are most often seen as wall decorations and in Religious jewelry.

People have worn jewelry since the beginning of time. Somewhere along the line jewelry became a fashion statement and used as fashion accessories. For the last sixty years or so sterling silver charms have been very popular from a theme standpoint. That translated into jewelry with themes. Religious jewelry has been popular for over a thousand years.

Now days Religious jewelry serves two purposes. One may argue that it's really just one purpose. These two purposes for using Religious jewelry is to remind oneself of their religious beliefs. The second reason is for a fashion statement.

As we have seen the power of Religion on mankind, how does that translate to Power of Religious Jewelry? Religious jewelry helps remind wearers of Religious jewelry of the tenants of their fatih, Religious jewelry inspires faith and motivates people in a religious way.

Further from a commercial standpoint, in tough economic times, Jewelry Stores have noticed that Religious jewelry sales better than stylish abstract jewelry. People who have precious lettle spending money want jewelry that has meaning which translates to Religious jewelry.

Another point to the power of, or the influence of Religious jewelry goes back to the two pronged assertion that "Religious jewelry serves two purposes. These two purposes for using Religious jewelry is to remind oneself of their religious beliefs. The second reason is for a fashion statement."

Men have worn Religious jewelry for religious reasons. But now days men wear Religious jewelry for fashion statements as well. Jewelry artisans have, for several years, designed musculine designs for Religious jewelry to satisfy a growing demand for Men's Religious Jewelry. Men look to Mens Religious jewelry for faith based connections to their religions as well as for fashion statements.

During good times and bad, both men and women turn to religious jewelry as their fashion accessory of choice.

Examples of Religious Jewelry. All Religious Jewelry shown here is made from Sterling silver. All jewelry here comes from HandCraftedCollectibles.com, one of the biggest collections of sterling silver religious jewelry found anywhere.