Wikipedia:WikiProject Religion/Notability guide
The Religion WikiProject's notability guide is intended to provide recommendations regarding the notability of topics within the scope of the project.
General
In general, a topic is presumed to be notable if it has received significant coverage in reliable sources that are independent of the subject.
Religions and religious groups
In general, a religion and religious group is presumed to be notable if they have received significant coverage in multiple verifiably independent and reliable sources.
Facts that do not make a religion and religious group notable:
- Number of adherents
- Significant % of population in a given town or region
- Claims of authenticity or true belief
- Claims of proven prophecy
- Passing mention by religious historian or religious historical document
People
In general, an individual is presumed to be notable if they have received significant coverage in multiple verifiable independent, reliable sources.
In particular, an individual will often meet notability guidelines if they:
- Are the head of a major Religion.
- Played an important role in a significant religious event which itself received considerable coverage in sources.
- Made a material contribution to the Philosophy of religion that is indisputably attributed to them.
- Were recognized by their peers as an authoritative source on religious matters/writing.
Conversely, brief descriptions in genealogical records or church histories of specific individuals are not considered specific indicators of notability.
Bishops
Bishops are not universally notable across all Christian faiths. For instance, "The Latter Day Saint concept of the office differs significantly from the role of bishops in other Christian denominations, being in some respects more analogous to a pastor or parish priest." To this end, more than just a church record of a Bishop existing is required to establish notability.
Religious structures and buildings
As for any subject on Wikipedia, presumption of notability for a religious structure or building depends wholly on the existence of significant coverage in multiple reliable secondary sources that are independent of the subject.
Determining independence of a source
Many international religions have their own or strongly affiliated publishing houses. This makes determining independence difficult at times. The following religion affiliated sources are considered independent of their given church:
Catholic
Protestant Christian
Religious doctrine
Pages on religious doctrine, like Bishop (Catholic Church), are inherently informative articles about the given religion's teachings. Therefor, WP:Notability requirements that a source remain "Independent of the subject" need not apply. Criticisms of religious doctrine are typically better suited for more broad articles about religion, while specific articles about a given religion's doctrine should be reserved for information about the region's teachings.