2007-01-21 03:35:30 · 8 answers · asked by Jay 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, Hinduism is the oldest documented religion that is still in practice today. The keywords are "documented" and "still in practice today". Although there may have been other older religions, often times they were practiced in oral societies or they do not have an unbroken history of practice. Also, Hinduism does not have a central leader and contains many different beliefs and practices.
"... The Sanskrit word ric, which for euphonic reasons is changed to rig, means literally "praise". ... The Sanskrit word veda means literally "knowledge" or "wisdom". ... The Rig-Veda is the oldest book in the Sanskrit language, indeed in any Indo-European language. More than that, if we are correct, it is the oldest book in the world ... The fact that the Rig-Veda mentions a stellar configuration that corresponds to a date from 6000 B.C. to 7000 B.C. - the astronomical Ashvini era ..."
http://www.valdostamuseum.org/hamsmith/RgVeda.html
"Hinduism is generally regarded as the world's oldest organized religion."
http://www.religioustolerance.org/hinduism.htm
"Hinduism is the major religion of India, practiced by more than 80% of the population. In contrast to other religions, it has no founder. Considered the oldest religion in the world, it dates back, perhaps, to prehistoric times."
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001469.html
2007-01-23 03:35:49 · answer #1 · answered by Witchy 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's just a name. Like Shakespeare wrote, "What's in a name?" The religion itself has been around for a long, long time. I don't know much about the texts, but if literal interpretation of the texts contradict the actual practice in modern society, then it's still no different than any other religion in that respect. Religious texts are always outdated because they were written by a culture that bears no resemblance to the cultures of today. People tend to modify the practice and the interpretations of these religious texts to fit in with changes in the world, whether they be scientific, physical, or whatnot and also with the views of society and the culture in which they live.
2016-05-24 05:18:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No
There are some from Greek / Phoenician tablets in Codex form that predate Hinduism also other writing tablets are 2 from Nimrod, one ivory, the other walnut wood, dated 707 - 705 BC., in addition to a 8th c. BC Neo-Hittite wood tablet. There are earlier tablets found in Syria and Northern Iraq that mention God but were written in a cruder form of writing much like Hieroglyphics. Interestingly the earliest actual mention of Gods were actually Monotheistic. One God, belief in numerous gods seems to have derived from that, not the other way around as was thought for years. BTW they do mention the flood as do the earlist Babylonian tablets found
2007-01-21 03:49:01 · answer #3 · answered by mark g 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Animism is the seed from which the tree of all religions grew. Hinduism is ancient, but just like the human race started in Africa, 'religion' also started there. Cave drawings show signs of Shamanism...
2007-01-21 03:51:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not older than ancient Egypian or Mesopotamian. But it is the oldest surviving one
But its scriptures were written just after the great flood which fundies say happened. But the great flood is not in Hindu mythology
2007-01-21 03:44:54 · answer #5 · answered by Born again atheist 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
All religions will claim to be the oldest as practically all of them have a narration of creation by their deities.
2007-01-21 03:42:35 · answer #6 · answered by veggie 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Probably not. Some Pagan and Tribal beliefs probably happened first.
2007-01-21 03:55:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
http://www.hinduwisdom.info/contents.htm
2007-01-21 03:45:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋