Oldest religion in the world?

[Nepenthe]

Depends on the exact definition of "religion" I suppose.
Forms of Animism, Pantheism, etc. were likely around early on. Neandertals had some form of ritualized behavior in that they included flowers in one burial. If religion could be broadly defined as ritualized behaviors that contribute to a group's cohesion and success, then social networks of early hominoids could be religious in nature. The origin of language(s) as well...

 

[ChristineES]

In fact, they have so much in common that I'd go so far as to say each religion is a branch of the same tree.

I was thinking the same thing. What if we (all theists) found out that all the faiths and religions started with the first one? How would that effect those who believe that "our way in the Only Way"?
We have no way to prove it, but there is a chance that all faiths started with one single faith, just as Christianity branched off into different denominations.

 

[Bishadi]

Depends on the exact definition of "religion" I suppose.
Forms of Animism, Pantheism, etc. were likely around early on. Neandertals had some form of ritualized behavior in that they included flowers in one burial. If religion could be broadly defined as ritualized behaviors that contribute to a group's cohesion and success, then social networks of early hominoids could be religious in nature. The origin of language(s) as well...

that is what i believe; since the origin of words (consciousness/articulation)

they 'created' beliefs with words, in the sense that they 'believed' the words defined what they experienced and to 'connect' the parties, each observing share the understanding. (connected by words)

 

[Riverwolf]

I was thinking the same thing. What if we (all theists) found out that all the faiths and religions started with the first one? How would that effect those who believe that "our way in the Only Way"?
We have no way to prove it, but there is a chance that all faiths started with one single faith, just as Christianity branched off into different denominations.

It it certainly becoming more and more obvious to me that Jesus must have been influenced heavily by Eastern philosophies such as Hinduism and Buddhism. The parallels are far too astounding to be coincidence.

 

[gnomon]

However, it is based on ancient Druidic and Pagan practices.

So Wicca itself is an infant, but it's born from something ancient.

Every human concept is born from something ancient.

 

[Runewolf1973]

Animism is considered to be a "belief in souls". It is not defined as a specific religion, but aspects of animism are found in pretty much all religions around the world. I would consider it to be like the "root" of all religions. It was that simple belief in spirits or souls (that force, whatever it was in all things that made them move and change form) in things that our paleolithic ancestors understood. I too have a "belief in souls", but I don't believe in any "gods". To me that "spirit" is just another form of vibrational energy and is not "supernatural". I think the concept of "god" came later in mankind's history, but I am not certain of that.

 

[Circle_One]

Depends on the exact definition of "religion" I suppose.
Forms of Animism, Pantheism, etc. were likely around early on. Neandertals had some form of ritualized behavior in that they included flowers in one burial. If religion could be broadly defined as ritualized behaviors that contribute to a group's cohesion and success, then social networks of early hominoids could be religious in nature. The origin of language(s) as well...

Many people believe that the fact they buried their dead at all shows forshadowing of religious beliefs.

 

[Riverwolf]

Every human concept is born from something ancient.

So what's the ancient inspiration for Scientology?

 

[Circle_One]

So what's the ancient inspiration for Scientology?

*Snicker*

Actually, it's thought that a lot of ancient beliefs centered around aliens. You can find depictions of them in Egyptian heiroglyphs, in Ancient Sumerian texts, Mayan and Aztec drawings, etc etc.

Damn, I have a book at home that discusses exactly this. I'll have to look for it, and get back to you

 

[gnomon]

So what's the ancient inspiration for Scientology?

I'm just saying that there is not much new.

Reconstructed religions or neo-pagan beliefs are indeed young and new. No matter the claim of being based off of ancient traditions. Christianity is based off ancient traditions. But so is Judaism.

Depends on the exact definition of "religion" I suppose.
Forms of Animism, Pantheism, etc. were likely around early on. Neandertals had some form of ritualized behavior in that they included flowers in one burial. If religion could be broadly defined as ritualized behaviors that contribute to a group's cohesion and success, then social networks of early hominoids could be religious in nature. The origin of language(s) as well...

Such an equivocation renders the term religion and what it actually means in history useless.

 

[Nepenthe]

Many people believe that the fact they buried their dead at all shows forshadowing of religious beliefs.

Exactly! Why care about a corpse if there weren't some benefit in protecting against the elements and scavengers?
This is my favorite early Neandertal ritual activity- it's still pretty controversial but it's creepy in its awesomeness.

 

[omari]

To speak of the oldest religion, it is very important to ask what does the bible says of such. If I may seek such support or acceptance, my acceptance must be associated with god’s position.
Jeremiah 6:16 “…stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way…”
The bible went furthered to say that the good way will be restored in the last day
Isaiah 58:12 “And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: ...; and thou shalt be called, the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the paths to dwell in.”
In vs. 13, it further identified the Sabbath day. To speak of Jewish customs is to speak of the Jewish religion

 

[Riverwolf]

I'm just saying that there is not much new.

Reconstructed religions or neo-pagan beliefs are indeed young and new. No matter the claim of being based off of ancient traditions. Christianity is based off ancient traditions. But so is Judaism.

Neo-paganism, etc, are "new" "revivals" of what we know about ancient beliefs.

 

[Storm]

Which isn't much, in most cases.

 

[Falvlun]

Many people believe that the fact they buried their dead at all shows forshadowing of religious beliefs.

Wouldn't it be more about sanitation or respect for the dead? I don't see why it would be religious to not want Grandma to be eaten by the wolves or stinking up the walkway to the river...

 

[Sunstone]

I'm of the opinion that animism is probably the oldest religious expression of our particular species of chimpanzee. To some extent, I think animistic thinking is hardwired into us by our genes.

 

[J Bryson]

I'm of the opinion that animism is probably the oldest religious expression of our particular species of chimpanzee. To some extent, I think animistic thinking is hardwired into us by our genes.

I'd tend to agree with this statement. I've had a sense of the mystical since before I knew what mysticism was.

 

[idea]

Religion was there before our world was formed...

4 he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world...
(New Testament | Ephesians 1:4)

As for this world, God walked, talked, commanded etc. Adam and Eve...

Religion is as old as God is.

 

[Falvlun]

Religion is as old as God is.

Even within your belief system, this idea is ridiculous.

Religion could only have begun once there was someone around to worship God.

 

[Riverwolf]

Wouldn't it be more about sanitation or respect for the dead? I don't see why it would be religious to not want Grandma to be eaten by the wolves or stinking up the walkway to the river...

Except why have respect for the dead at all except for even remotely religious purposes? Without the concept of a possible hereafter, a dead person is dead, and that's it. Who cares what happens to the corpse?