Wikipedia:WikiProject Religion/Religion outline

At the time of this writing, there is only one article on a religious movement or body, Baháʼí Faith, which is at FA. That includes both major and comparatively minor groups. In an effort to help perhaps address this lack, the following proposed outline on articles on religious faiths or denominations is proposed. Please note as well that while the sections may well be listed below, they are not necessarily seen as being necessarily significant enough or lengthy enough to merit separate sections in each article.

• 1. Name - This section would basically be for discussion of the name or names under which the entitiy is discussed, and the possible derivation(s) of such names. It would very likely be most important for groups which have been or are discussed under more than one name.
• 2. Origins - This section would be for discussion of the origins of the group, including when and by whom the entity is said by both religious sources and reliable sources to have been founded. It would also likely indicate to some degree the social, political, and religious milieu in which the group originated.
  • 2A. Beliefs - In all honesty, this is probably the most significant section of the article for most religious groups, because their beliefs, by and large, tend to define them.
• 3. Structure - Some religious groups have clear and well defined formal structures. Some do not. This section would probably be used to describe the formal structure of groups that have them, as well as the informal structures of groups which lack formal structure.
• 4. History - This section would be primarily about the history of the movement. It may well be one of the longest sections, if the group has had a lengthy history, and may well be broken up into subsections as required.
  • 4A. Schisms - This section might discuss, if such is appropriate, any schisms regarding the group which have taken place since its founding.
• 5. Society - This section would probably best describe how the members of the group interact with each other (including initiation, excommunication, etc.), and how the group has historically interacted with outsiders. The latter might include their relations with other similar and dissimilar religious groups, governments, etc. Instances of when the group has persecuted others or been persecuted by others would probably best be discussed here.
  • 5A. Practices - This section is often included with the Beliefs section above in articles as they currently exist, but in many cases might merit a separate section. This section would, if it exists, perhaps most clearly describe the various rituals and practices, including initiation and excommunication, wedding and funeral practices, and other practices which closely relate to religious topics which the group uses.
  • 5B. Cultural influence - This would discuss the group's impact on the broader culture in terms of the visual arts, music, popular culture references, etc.
  • 5C. Symbols - Perhaps one of the sections which would be used least, this would describe the various symbols which are regularly used This would include the cross for Christianity, the Star of David for Judaism, etc.
• 6. Criticism - This section would probably be used in much the same way it is currently used, to discuss criticism which has been directed at the subject entity.
• 7. Religious influence - If the group has had a significant influence on other religious groups, either within or without its core "faith" group, such material would probably be best included here.
• 8. Bibliography - This section would include the generally most highly regarded external sources for the subject in question.

It is understood that not all of these sections will be pertinent to all religions. Obviously, the topic must be one of some degree of importance to the group for it to be included in the main overview article. And there are also cases where, often for lack of information about the group, some of these sections are not applicable. Articles on such groups would be in general structured more often on a case by case basis.