Theory of Memetics
To answer this question, we must first look at the theory of memetics. According to Susan Blackmore in her book The Meme Machine, memes are ideas that behave like viruses. Like a virus, they need a host to 'feed' on and give them life so that they may be passed onto another host. Unlike a virus that packs a genome into a phage head, memes pack an idea. Like a virus, the idea gets mutated over and over so that the origin (or 'first' idea) is difficult if not impossible to trace. Unlike a virus, they do not physically/genetically destroy the host. Like viruses, memes are mindless replicators.
An example of a worldwide meme is McDonaldism. I know what you're thinking - the first time I heard that word I thought it was a joke too. But as Ritzer explains in The McDonaldisation of Society: An Investigation into the Changing Character of Contemporary Social Life, McDonaldism implies a continued regular, reliable, and (most importantly) repeatable product everywhere to everyone. "The tasks that workers do, even in talking to customers, is the same and repeated." And it is very true. The McDonald's fast food joint is exactly the same in Tokyo as it is in Hawaii as it is in Florida: the menu, the food, the service, even the style of the restuarant. And why? The power of the meme.
Memes are not genes
Genes are different from memes; genes are a genetic material that are passed to progeny without selection from the parents. Genes can also be mutated, but the origins of mutation can be traced backwards. Genes survival depends soley upon sexual reproduction - if the person does not have children then the genes they carry die. Memes survival depends upon the message of meme and the host. As a host, we can reject certain memes over others, but we cannot reject the genes our parents gave us.
Meme success
Memes that survive do so for a few reasons. First, they are simple. The most popular religions in America are simple - not necessarily to understand, but simple to follow. Pray if you need to, fast if you wish to, and go to church once a week. They are also simple because the demands and rigors are minimal.
Secondly, successful memes are mutatable. We have the freedom of religion written in our Constitution. This allows Mr. A to branch off into his own style of the religion he practices should he not like what Mr. B is preaching. If he were previously part of a Southern Baptist church but now he is the leader of the Community Baptist church, he would still be considered Baptist but the core meme has slightly mutated.
Lastly, successful memes must be attractive to the host. The host is how the meme replicates; the host must transfer the meme to another host. Religions are exceptional memes in this respect. "Tell the world." "Share the gospel." "Teach those who do not know." The host of a religious meme is happy and willing to share their meme with anyone who is interested.
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