What do you think were the first forms of religion?

Question

Did the cavemen have religion? Did they worship gods and have ceremonies?

Thanks
Alex

Answer 1

I could see the first forms of religion developing out of any natural event that appeared so amazing that it could not have come from anything else other than a "god".

The real question is how the whole concept of god developed in the first place. Unless god was shown or delivered a message, humanity would not otherwise know or understand an all-powerful god concept.

However, if it were objects that were first worshiped, such as the sun, moon, mountains, rivers, oceans or whatever, then one might naturally see a progression toward a proper stand alone god-concept.

As for cavemen (Neandertals I am assuming you mean) having religion, there is no clear evidence of this. There is, however, evidence of ceremony due to Neandertals being buried with objects.

Whatever the case may be, it appears that god has entrenched itself in the human psyche. Thank goodness many of us have the freedom today to see otherwise.

Answer 2

There is evidence that the earliest prehistoric tribes observed some form of religion. They buried bodies in particular positions, oriented toward certain directions, and with artifacts from life. Neolithic man certainly observed a solar-based religion, as evidenced by complex solar-oriented monuments like Stonehenge.

Answer 3

We have only tidbits of very difficult to interpret pre-historical evidence. Most evidence has been lost and destroyed. We can only overlay what we know about later religious systems over the very ancient evidence.

If more recent historical patterns are any indication of far more remote history, about every 500 to 1000 years a universal educator comes with a message to raise humanity to higher intellectual achievements and carry civilization forward.

Answer 4

Some smart guy wanted to shirk off from his work so he decided to invent a God in order to control his tribe and make them do his bidding. It doesn't exactly matter what or who the God was, as long as this guy had direct access to this imaginary God, given him a one up on everyone else. This is probably how religion started off at least.

Answer 5

The history tell us that the old civilizations had religion... they worshiped gods like sun, moon, star...

Otherwise, about christianism, it was catholicism first religion...

Answer 6

The Neanderthals buried dead people with their possessions, things that could have been useful for the living. This indicates they believed in some type of afterlife where what you are buried with goes with you to the next life.

Answer 7

I imagine the caveman would of praised/worshipped an item of some sort.

Answer 8

the ones who were not able to stand up up for themselves(fight)made up religion to scare those who could fight.by saying things like if you harm another and not be nice,when you die you will go to a bad place.

Answer 9

Probably sun worship.

Answer 10

it was basically the monotheism. it is worshipping more than one gods. these might be things or any living creatures that exist.