what is the FIRST religion in the world?

Answer 1

There was no organised religion in the world like worshiping Jehova and the teachings of Juda as Judaism, and that by Christ as Christianity etc. etc.during initial stage of human civilisation in Europe and Middle Asia. That way, the first organised religion in the world is Judaism.

But much prior to that (say at least 10,000 years before Moses, the first law giver in the Semitic groups) the Vedic beliefs and rituals on basis of the direct experience of seers were there in India and from there those spread to all over the civilisations such as Elamites, Aztechs, Sumerians, Phoenicians, Babylonians, Etruscans, Ugarit, Assyrians, Greek, Egyptian and so many other vanished civilisations of the world. Every where there is proof of worship of the Sun, Fire, Moon and the cosmic bodies like Jupiter, Appolo etc. etc. as in the Vedic traditions.

At a much later stage, say after more than 15 thousand years or so, Buddha's teachings were preached all over world from his time in the 6th century B.C. to the 1st century A.D. That way in Japan and China we have a faith that groomed in the socio-cultural surrounding of those countries. The Indian tradition was a continous search for the Trurh and its realisation in ones own life. Indian way of life is to live a conscious life in accordance with the eternal principles of a changing society. To facilitate this, the Vedas and the Vedanta lay down various methods but leave it to the choice of the individual to practise in the manner suitable to his natural attributes. Contemplation and meditation and exercises intended to maximise the ability for meditating on the knowable unknown were taught to the disciples by Gurus. But none of the Gurus, like the leaders of the later organised religions in the West of India, used to say that the disciples must follow a particular given path and any other path is forbidden. Rather, it was always emphasised that the Truth is one but traditions could be many. It is essentially holistic. As a result, many panths emerged in India and also abroad. As it was not organised, the religious practices got corrupted and lacked uniformity in the world. Those corrupt practices were referred to as Heathen, Pagans and Idol worshippers in the West Asia. Social reformers have emerged at diffrent stages of civilisation to cure the social evils born out of these corrupt social practices, who later on were portrayed as prophets by zealot followers for political reasons. Every thing in the semitic circles is sought to be done or forced to be done in the name of Yehova, God or Allah which are actually the same called by different words beacuse of different languages. That way Indian tradition is basically Monotheistic but due to want of requisite knowledge the western people misunderstand them to be polytheistic. If one reads the Upanishads, these talk of only one Universal Consciouness which is seen in different forms and people worship it in various names. Indian philosophy gives more importance to internal reform rather than external rituals. In this sense Indian tradition is the oldest in the world, and much older than the Judaism which is oldest among the Semitic faiths.

Answer 2

Well, depends on what you are defining as religion. The first belief system seems to have been animism (the belief that everything is somehow divine, has spirit, etc). That seemed very much the beliefs of early peoples (from the archeological evidence anyways).

If you are talking about religion as in set order of beliefs then that would be Hinduism or Sanatana Dharma as it is called by the followers. The Vedic religion (religion based upon the Vedas) has evolved and continues to evolve, but is the oldest religion in the world (and the third largest in number of adherents).

So it really depends on the defination of the word "religion" that you use. So either Animism or Hinduism.

Answer 3

The Sun was the ruler of the day, and the Moon was the ruler of the night. Which was more worthy of worship? A sun that vanely glowed when the world was lit? Or a moon that guided you down a dark path?

You can tell this is an early fundamentalist arguement, by the assumption that the light was created before the sun, and the assumption that the moon made it's own light. Not very scientific, but very good as an allegory of competing religions.

I didn't make this up, it's in the book of Genesis.

Answer 4

The oldest known religion in the world today is Hinduism. Several sources all over the internet.

Answer 5

Adam - the first human being. God teach him everything, including religion. So, the first religion in this world brought by Adam.. the name of the religion remain unknown.

Answer 6

Technically, the first religion is the one where some people came together and agreed to worship together.

Answer 7

The oldest religion currently being practiced is based on the Vedas. I don't say Hinduism because most Hindus know little or nothing of the Vedas

Answer 8

The first among humans was Paganism. Without language developed yet, early man would not be able to communicate with a one another, let alone a higher power. That being said, they would assume that elements of everyday nature had a deity associated with different elements.

Answer 9

Shaminism. The ancient caves in France, with the neolithic cave paintings, was more than likely the place of trainig for he begining shamin, or holy man of the tribe.

Later, the first temples were mostly based off of the ancient caves, much as pyramids are artificial hills.

Answer 10

It did not have a name, but we now refer to it as Shamanism and/or Paganism. Far older than any other...including Hinduism. Of this there is documented proof.