Editorial Policy

Mission

ReligionCompare exists to provide the most accurate, neutral, and accessible comparative religion resource available. We serve students, educators, researchers, journalists, and anyone seeking to understand the world's religious traditions through factual, citation-backed information.

Neutrality

We are committed to presenting all religions with equal respect and without bias. Our editorial standards require:

  • No religion is presented as superior, more true, or more valid than any other
  • Descriptive language only — we describe what adherents believe, not whether those beliefs are correct
  • Equal depth of coverage proportional to available scholarly sources
  • No editorial commentary or opinion in factual content
  • Sensitivity to how adherents describe their own traditions

Accuracy Standards

Every published claim on ReligionCompare must meet these standards:

  • Backed by at least one verifiable citation from a primary or secondary source
  • Reviewed by a second editor before publication
  • Free of generalizations that misrepresent the diversity within a tradition
  • Clearly attributed to specific denominations when beliefs vary within a religion
  • Dated and updated when new scholarship emerges

Language Guidelines

Our editors follow these language principles:

  • Use "adherents believe" or "the tradition teaches" rather than stating beliefs as facts
  • Avoid loaded terms — use "denomination" not "sect," "tradition" not "cult"
  • Use the names and terms that adherents use for themselves
  • Provide transliterations and original-language terms where helpful
  • Write at a reading level accessible to a general audience

Corrections Policy

We take errors seriously. When an error is identified:

  1. The claim is immediately flagged for review
  2. An editor verifies the error against original sources
  3. The claim is corrected or removed within 48 hours
  4. Material corrections are noted in the audit log
  5. The reporter is notified of the outcome

Independence

ReligionCompare is editorially independent. We do not accept funding, sponsorship, or editorial direction from any religious organization, government, or advocacy group. Our content decisions are made solely by our editorial team based on scholarly merit and user needs.

Contact

Questions about our editorial policy can be directed to editorial@religioncompare.com.