origins of religion?

Question

how early in the history of mankind did idea of religion evolve? And what sort of religion was it?

Answer 1

when people think abt GOD

Answer 2

I actually know this question to a degree. The word religion comes from an ancient word 'Religio' in a language I can't remember. The word means 'story of our origin'. So stories of where we came from probably started as soon as humans could communicate really, don't ya think? People of course had to eventually go and organize groups and institutions so they could claim they knew more than others because of their own fears of not being good enough type stuff. Of course some religions have no claim to knowing more or being more rightious than others. Personally I think those are the ones with alot more sense. Early religions were definetly of the tribal sort, just a belief and story about where they came from and they evolved from there.

Answer 3

I cannot relate to you here a detailed history of human thought and social living because this you can find easily on the net. I would however like to share with you some of my my personal thoughts about the matter.

First of all know that the origin of religion is sin – an act of defiance. I say this because we feel as if we have been displaced or misplaced away from our true origin that we must return to in order to find perfect bliss and happiness. This could very well be true because if there is not perfect state of happiness then why do we dream about it? It is not here in this world at least. Now. if we look at the contents of all religious teachings we find that first and foremost there is guidance. The guidance for 'the right path'; then there is belief in life after death incorporate in their teaching is a concept of paradise - home. All this suggests that we are, in the eyes of religion, more than what we know we are; and that are on a dangerous journey throughout his world; and that we must complete in a good way.

Besides this we have right from the early history of human social living an innate ability to find the best or the supreme in our lives. We realise that we are not all powerful but we can recognise the Almighty. We have seen God in stones, in the lightening, and in mountains. This is powerful already. The advent of modern religions starting fro Judaism to Islam we have realised that there is nothing more considerable in the universe than our own selves. We can find God in our lives, in our conduct and in out actions.

This is the most revolutionary approach that has brought us from the wilderness of this material world right at the door steps of divinity - our home. We search and find in our hearts and minds love and glory of God. This to me is the beginning of an wonderful new beginning.

Answer 4

There is a book called "The Source" by James Michener about a fictional archaeological dig in the Mideast. It traces the history of religion from pre-Judaism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, showing how the concept of God originated and has been modified to fit human needs. Religion, like everything else, has a history; it is a very interesting history and "The Source" is a very good, brief account of it.

Answer 5

From the beginning of human history man has tried to explain and understand the world around him, religion has been the by-product of this curiosity,, early religions worshiped the sun, moon, stars, etc.
As scientific understanding grew religions evolved to fit the new knowledge.

It seems to be a never ending process.

Answer 6

In the days of the garden of Eden man and God had a relationship where they constantly communicated.But since the fall of mankind religion took it's place because we no longer had that channel of communication open.You see with religion you follow statutes and guidelines without any real personal commitment.This act of religion was evident ,when Jesus walked the Earth, among the Pharisees and Sadducee's-they followed guidelines but had no personal relationship with God to recognize who Jesus really was or what was His purpose.Most of the religions before Christ were termed as pagan religions since almost anything passed as a God to be worshiped.

Answer 7

The idea of religion evolved since the first clans or tribes were formed, i.e. when the first society was formed. For life in this society to be harmonious, a binding factor was required. This binding factor was religion. It was a sort of religion, that claimed any incident the tribe hadn't come across was an act of God who was punishing or rewarding them for their deeds.

Answer 8

Religion probably appeared soon after men could recognize the world was fearful, unpredictable, and uncontrollable. Religion has, in recorded history, been used to try to explain the unknown and alleviate fear. I would imagine that the first religion was a compendium of gods: Perhaps the first were thunder and lightning (the sky), earthquakes and volcanoes (the earth), and floods (water), and fire-- In other words, the powers of nature.

Answer 9

In chronological order, starting with the oldest written statement:

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth... the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being... Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man... When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. He created them male and female and blessed them. Adam had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth." (Genesis 1:1-5:3)

"Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on the name of the Lord." (Genesis 4:26)

"Now the whole world had one language... As men moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there... Then they said, 'Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.' But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower... So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped buiding the city. That is why it was called Babel - because the Lord confused the language of the whole world." (Genesis 11:1-9)

"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'.. The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no-one who does good, not even one. Will evildoers never learn... who do not call on the Lord? There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous." (Psalm 14:1-5)

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made... In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it... The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him... Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:1-14)

Answer 10

Religion was born of ignorance. People worshipped anything they didn't understand, the stars, the moon, the sun etc. A few years back there was a small tribe found in the rainforests who worshipped aeroplanes they saw flying overhead.

It was then seen that people can be controlled with religion, by literally putting the fear of God into them. The educated priests would keep the poor people in control by telling them about the bible and putting their own spin on things. Everything was in latin which kept everyone from making their own interpretation of things.

Science will one day prove conclusively that God does not exist in the biblical sense.

Answer 11

The earliest form of religion was the Mother Goddess Religion. I don't know how far it went back but i do know it was at least 25 thousand years.