A core belief of the world’s major religions is that the universe came into existence through the creative power of a supreme or divine being or beings. (This article uses God, the name most used for the supreme being[s] in predominantly Christian countries such as the United States.) The world’s monotheistic religions include Judaism, Christianity, Islam, the Bahá’í faith, some forms of Hinduism, and several others. Many other religions are polytheistic, including Taoism, some forms of Hinduism, and the ancient Greek and Roman religions. Buddhism does not teach a belief in a divine creator, so many consider Buddhism a spiritual tradition or philosophy rather than a religion.  

In addition to believing that the universe was brought into being by God, the world’s major religions hold that creation is an expression of divine love, a love that brings all that exists to life. Another way of saying this is that God is in some way part of everything that exists, connecting all creation in divine love.