Whats the difference between the “Religion by Name” list and the “Religion by Location” list?
The only difference is the order in which the data is listed. We only have one database from which the Adherents.com web site is compiled. In the “Religion by Name” list we order the data first by religion name (alphabetically), then by location, then by year. The index is based on the Religion names. In the “Religion by Location” list, the data is listed first by location, then by religion, then by year. The index is based on the Location name (name of country, state, province, etc.). The data set and table format is the same in both lists. So, essentially, the entire database is duplicated twice on the Adherents.com web site. We should note that we do not re-compile and update the Location list as often as the Religion by Name list. So, sometimes a small percentage of the adherent records will not be in the Location list, but will be available in the Name list. At this point, however, the additional records being added are usually for minor movements or subdivisions of religions. So
