Around the world, religion is an important and pervasive force in personal and public life, and faith and politics now play a key role in international affairs. Religion penetrates to the depth of man's being, which is the source of his actions and efforts. Inthe complex world we live in today, it is important to understand the behavior and motivations of others. With the increase of globalization and the shrinking of the modern world, understanding people from around the globe has become a growing necessity in order for people to interact successfully. A large part of understanding others involves having an appreciation of others' cultures. The root of understanding another's culture lies in understanding one's own religious beliefs. In order to provide insight into the driving force behind people's actions around the world, in my paper I give a brief analysis of five of the world's major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, and Confucianism. In my analysis I discuss the origin of each religion and the major leaders. However, I have focus on the ethical beliefs and attitudes of each, especially pertaining to someone dealing with people of these religions on an everyday basis. This knowledge will be a stepping-stone to a more integrated world.