Does anyone know? Also, when year did they start to exist?
2007-08-21 09:09:20 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Animism is likely the oldest religion.
As for a year... that's lost in pre-history, sorry.
What we call Asatru has its ROOTS starting with this branch of humanity, as our lore says.
2007-08-21 09:18:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Hinduism is believed to be the oldest religion still practiced. It originated around 5000 years ago among the Vedic people.
Judaism originated approximately 3800 years ago in the Middle East.
Buddhism is round 2600 years old.
Christianity is nearly 2000 years old.
Islam was founded nearly 1400 years ago.
Those are some of the oldest major religions still practiced today. There is evidence that religion has been a part of human life, though, from its very earliest days.
2007-08-21 09:24:55 · answer #2 · answered by Samantha 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Religion didn't become an actual label to discriminate people from monotheism and polytheism until the christians came around. The christians took their ideals from the Pagans, and I can tell you why. Religious persecution against those who did not believe in the "one and only true god" took place back when Constantine was emporer. Although a lifelong Pagan, he was baptized on his deathbed as a christian, just so they can say he was christian.
Christmas. You know, Santa Claus and all that... Well, it didn't start with some dude who carved wood toys for kids... no, this goes far back beyond that. Christmas is the christianized version of the Winter Solstice, and since they had nothing significant to cover for it, they said it was a celebration of the Jesus' birthday... but, wait... Wasn't he born in April? Why would they do that? Maybe to attemp to wipe them off the face of the earth.
Religion didn't get it's name until there was a dispute. Ever since there's been a single god, there has been war.
Paganism dates as far back as 40,000 years ago, the same time period when the didgeridoo was seen in Australia as an instrument for rituals. The ocarina dates back 20,000 years before today. Both were invented by humans, and both were made far before religion was named anything. Those two instruments were used to add music to rituals, and celebrations.
Before Paganism was a religion, it was a healing practice, same as Reiki, Voovoo, Irish and Scottish Celticism and native American Shamanism... all were healing practices in which random invocations were chanted in hopes that someone would hear their call and help. The ideas that there were different god for different elements didn't happen until the Egyptians were thriving, and this was before writing.
2007-08-21 09:21:54 · answer #3 · answered by Cold Fart 6 · 2⤊ 4⤋
Hinduism is the oldest by a very long margin. Follwed by Judaism. Buddhism comes shortly after Judaism. Then there is a big gap to Christianity. And a few hundred more years to the baby of the family Islam.
This of course neglects hundreds of other religions and sects.
2007-08-21 09:33:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Paganism
2007-08-22 08:17:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hinduism
http://ask.yahoo.com/20011106.html
2007-08-21 09:15:36 · answer #6 · answered by Indiana Raven 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Before the flood the God of the Bible.
After the flood again it was Noah's God of the Bible.
All of your ancient false religions came from the fallen angels or their mixed breed of Nephilim. These angels are the mythological gods and goddesses of old, but strictly fallen angels that left their original abode.
These fallen angels will once again cause God to destroy the earth by fire. Woe to the earth, because Satan and his angels have come down to them.
If any man have an ear, let him hear!!!
2007-08-21 09:30:05 · answer #7 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I always thought the oldest were the Pagan religions. But I heard that there is this snake worshipping religion that is the oldest.
Is Caleb's Mom for real?
2007-08-21 09:15:34 · answer #8 · answered by Voodoid 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
the oldest .... apostolic faith ....
it started w/ the apostles (at the time of Jesus Christ) ... & continues today ...
though in comparison to other denominations, is quite small.
(however, God's people have ALWAYS been in the minority & always will be).
the apostolic faith teaches the same beliefs, teachings & have the same experiences of the apostles & what Jesus Christ spoke of.
all other religions have CHANGED the original.... even salvation.
these religions have become doctrines of men..... not of God.
2007-08-21 09:33:33 · answer #9 · answered by t d 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Matriarchy, or goddess worship is the origin of all religions. There were no years that far back. Their practices can still be seen in every religion today. A Perfect example is "matrimony".
2007-08-21 09:18:02 · answer #10 · answered by phil8656 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋