what were the first cases of religious persecution?

Question

I am not talking about cultural/political mixed with religion

but when did persecution souly baised on religion start?

Answer 1

As soon as two people got together who had different beliefs from each other. Could be millenia ago. Sad isn't it?

Answer 2

I know of a case of religious persecution in the time of Pharaoh Akhnaten of Egypt. He is the one who insisted that everyone worship the Aten - the sun God, and no other God (not even another sun God). He persecuted those throughout the kingdom who worshipped any other and he erased the name of the other gods all throughout Egypt.

I have a feeling it probably goes back further however. It usually arises along with the idea of exclusivism - that is, the idea that one God, or one religion, be followed only, to the exclusion of all others.

The Jewish people certainly persecuted those in their midst who worshipped any god but Hashem. This is even sanctified in the Torah and is reported to have taken place in Joshua, and so on.

The Jewish people were persecuted of course from an early time as well, in this case, not because the other religions were exclusive, but because Judaism, being exclusive, would not embrace the other gods and customs of their oppressors. I don't think I need to tell you how this worsened with the rise of Christianity (which was also greatly persecuted in its early history).

Here is an article from wikipedia on religious persecution, and it has subsections for each persecuted group:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_persecution

I don't see anything that goes back to earliest times however.

Answer 3

When I was taking my religion class last year at Concrodia College in Moorhead, MN, the professor said that religious persecution started when the religion started. People were killed for their beliefs and other did not like that. I am not sure if they have record of when the first persecutions actually took place, but you could do some extensive research in the bible for that. This goes for any religion, but I am mostly speaking of Christianity. Ignorant people don't like what they don't know, and they persecute others for it. Hope I helped a bit!

Answer 4

There has been religious persecution that extends outside the realm of Christianity. Remember a little thing called the Crusades or which trials. Imagine what it was like before religion had a name, it was just an idea that people were being persecuted for.

Answer 5

When man first became societal groups they took religion on. then anyone from outside was persecuted until they came around to accept that societal norm. This occurred before we came out of the caves as man.

Good Luck and God Bless!!

Answer 6

In the Garden of Eden. Satan was removed from Heaven, he was jealous of God and of Adam and Eve's relationship with God, and used deceit to convince Eve to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

Persecution doesn't have to mean bloody violence. It can also mean to oppress or harass with ill-treatment, and to annoy persistently; bother.

Answer 7

With the Jews.

back in ancient times, they were always persecuted

Answer 8

Probably about the time religion started!

Answer 9

I don't think there are any records of it. I like to watch the history channel, and they deal with things like that going back beyond the Druids and Stonehenge etc. I doubt this one can be answered.

Answer 10

Probably ever since differing religions were first created.