What is the oldest religion of the world that is still practiced?

Question

just curious?

Answer 1

There are many indigenous religions that go back as far as anyone can determine.

Here is a nice big picture: http://www.religionfacts.com/big_religion_chart.htm

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

A tough one, Brandon, for it requires us to define "religion." So I'll use THIS definition:

An organized system of belief in a deity or deities marked by a moral code, worship, prayer and individual self-identity with the religion and its followers.

If we can agree to that definition, then the Zaroastrians have it. Predating Judaism by 10 centuries, the religion is still practiced today by thousands.

Hinduism is often mentioned as the oldest surviving religion, and, for practical purposes is treated as such. However, by its own declared philosophy, it doesn't meet the above definition because it is self-described as a world view -a way of life- and has no ancient founder, nor does it require a belief in any God or gods. But for those two items, it would be the oldest religion still practiced today.

OK?

Answer 3

Hinduism is generally considered to be the oldest religion still being practiced today. This ancient religion was born when the Aryan peoples migrated to Northern India and first put their religious tradition into writing. The texts they created are the Vedas, which were written around 1,500 B.C.E. (before common era) and have greatly influenced Indian culture ever since.

Several other religions are almost as old as Hinduism. Judaism traces its roots back to the patriarch Abraham, who lived around 1,800 B.C.E. While the Jewish people are descended from Abraham, it was Moses who first recorded the Torah, the Jewish holy text, in 1,400 B.C.E. Most sources consider the date of the Torah as the beginning of Judaism.

Zoroastrianism is sometimes called the world's oldest prophetic religion. It's certainly one of the earliest religions founded by one person. Scholars are not certain when the founding prophet Zarathustra actually lived. Some believe Zarathustra lived in the 6th century B.C.E., while others trace his writings to the 14th or 13th centuries B.C.E.

India has been a veritable cradle for world religions -- in addition to Hinduism, both Jainism and Buddhism originated in India. The first of Jainism's sacred lords, called a Tirthankara, lived in the 8th century B.C.E. The last of these lords was Mahavir, who lived in the 5th century B.C.E. and was a key figure in spreading the religion. The philosophical teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, spread around Asia after his death in 483 B.C.E.

Oddly enough, the two religions that dominate the world today are relative newcomers to the spiritual scene. Christianity began with the teachings of Jesus Christ around 30 C.E., and Islam started in 610 C.E. with the prophet Muhammad's revelation.

Answer 4

My understanding is that the oldest widely practiced religion is Hinduism.


You could argue spirituality, as all gods started out as spirits of natural objects, but that is not really a formal organised religion.

Answer 5

Hinduism

Answer 6

Buddism

Answer 7

Zoroastrianism

Answer 8

Probably tribal animism and for "organized religion",Hinduism

Answer 9

paganism. the oldest form of any spirit worship. i could tell you tales....but that will be a different day.

Answer 10

beliving in only one god is the oldest religion maybe under other names islam,...ect