Spiritual traditions have emerged and faded throughout history, with only a handful standing the test of time.

While many religions claim an origin since time immemorial, only a select few have persisted through the ages.

Some of the world's oldest religions continue to be practiced today, rooted in the cultural traditions of Europe, the Middle East, India, and China, each with independent histories that defy a singular narrative of the study of religion.


What Are The Oldest Religion in the World

Religious approaches in both the ancient world and the Middle Ages emerged as responses to criticism or defenses of specific systems, adapting to changes in knowledge.

The global expansion of religions occurred alongside extensive commercial and cultural interactions, serving as the foundation for cultural communication and moral expectations.

Religion provided structure and meaning, facilitating connections between people beyond geographical confines. The adaptability of religion to offer a sense of purpose and community fostered its rapid acceptance.

Exploring the Oldest Religions in the World

The origins and emergence of religions vary significantly depending on the reference point, often relying on suppositions, archaeological records, and sources open to debate.

Understanding the inception of religion and its impact on human experience prompts curiosity.

Several of the oldest religions are recognized based on scholarly beliefs, each offering distinct perspectives on the human condition.

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Here are the Top 10 Oldest Religion in the World

1. Hinduism – Origin: Indus River Valley (Modern-Day Pakistan), 2300 to 1500 BCE
Considered the world's oldest practicing religion, Hinduism amalgamates ancient traditions and beliefs, lacking a specific founder or singular text.

The Rig Veda, dating back nearly 3,500 years, serves as a foundational scripture. Hinduism encompasses four life goals, including Dharma (virtuous living) and Moksha (release from reincarnation).

Sacred motifs dating back to 7,000 BCE indicate its ancient roots, with millions practicing its teachings worldwide.

2. Zoroastrianism – Origin: Ancient Persia (Modern-Day Iran), Circa 1,500 BC
Founded officially in the 6th Century BCE by the prophet Zoroaster, Zoroastrianism traces its roots to 1,200-1,500 BCE.

Centered on the belief in the one God Ahura Mazda, it was a dominant world religion and Persia's official religion from 600 BCE to 650 BCE.

Sharing concepts with Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Zoroastrianism embraces dualism, emphasizing the twofold nature of the world, akin to good and evil or heaven and hell.

3. Judaism – Origin: Southern Levant (Modern-Day Israel, Palestine, And Jordan), Circa 2,000 BCE
Officially founded by Moses, Judaism traces its roots back to Abraham, the ancestral figure of the Jewish people. The Torah, a crucial text within the Tanakh or Hebrew Bible, imparts the faith's core teachings.

Emphasizing the oneness of God and the pursuit of justice and compassion, Judaism encompasses diverse practices within its three main movements: Reform, Orthodox, and Conservative.

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4. Jainism – Origin: India, Circa 600 BCE
Emerging in 6th Century BCE India, Jainism shares affinities with Hinduism and Buddhism.

Without a single sacred text, Jainism holds that truth is revealed by Tirthankaras, spiritual prophets who attain the highest goal. With 24 Tirthankaras to date, Mahavira, the last prophet, is regarded as Jainism's founder.

5. Confucianism – Origin: Northern China, Circa 500 BCE
Rooted in the teachings of Confucius, Confucianism functions as a social and ethical philosophy, impacting Chinese spiritual and political life.

Although not a traditional organized religion, it has influenced East Asian societies, emphasizing values of harmony and virtue.

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Depending on the theory of the origin of creation that you believe in

illicit:
Depending on the theory of the origin of creation that you believe in

elaborate

Arda1000:
elaborate

If you are a Christain, you will probably believe it's Judaism

If you are a Yoruba animist, you will believe it's Ifa corpus etc

ogun idol nko? ifa divination ve been in existence since creation of man

humanity is the oldest religion in the world!!

muyico:
ogun idol nko? ifa divination ve been in existence since creation of man

Ogun is one of the Orishas which represent creativity and innovation while also being Yoruba ancestors.

The Yoruba religion is IFA. In IFA, Eledumare is the only one God who has a begotten child called Ela/Jewesun which is his word. While the Orishas represent creativity and innovation while also being Yoruba ancestors. The idea of Yoruba venerating the Yoruba ancestors is also to bring forth the knowledge, innovation and creativity of these Orishas.

illicit:


If you are a Christain, you will probably believe it's Judaism

If you are a Yoruba animist, you will believe it's Ifa corpus etc

thats a lie.
Anyone who is a student of religious history knows Hinduism is the oldest recorded religion

Arda1000:
thats a lie.
Anyone who is a student of religious history knows Hinduism is the oldest recorded religion

Read again

Is everyone a student of Hinduism?

Remember that Abraham who is seen as the father of faith

That's if u are a Christain or Muslim started what later became known as Judaism

But it was recorded that on his return from a conquest, he met a priest called Melkizedek

Of which religion?

illicit:


Read again

Is everyone a student of Hinduism?

read what again?
Anyone arguing otherwise is just ignorant and that’s not an excuse

illicit:
Remember that Abraham who is seen as the father of faith

That's if u are a Christain or Muslim started what later became known as Judaism

But it was recorded that on his return from a conquest, he met a priest called Melkizedek

Of which religion?

all religions are mere folklore so whatever priest the dude is doesn’t matter

Prostitution! I give it to 9ja girls.

We were having all these peaceful religions until the sect that throws bomb like fireworks came on board

Arda1000:
read what again?
Anyone arguing otherwise is just ignorant and that’s not an excuse

I said the first religion depends on your beiief

You said any student of religion knows it's Hinduism

Now is everyone a student of religion?

Ok that means u can authoritatively mention the first humans and the first language

Even though I am a Linguist, we don't know the first language sir

It's speculations

There's a difference between the first recorded something and the first something

Arda1000:
thats a lie.
Anyone who is a student of religious history knows Hinduism is the oldest recorded religion

SOME OF YOU ARE SO IGNORANT, IT’S DISGUSTING.

LOOK AT A WHOLE AFRICAN FROM THE CRADLE OF CIVILISATION SAYING THAT HINDUISM IS THE “Oldest recorded religion”.

Hinduism in INDIA!

Was India occupied by humans before Africa?

So as you are now with your thick head, you don’t know that humans lived and thrived in Africa for thousands of years before they ventured out to populate and civilize the rest of the world, including the India you mentioned?

Did those Africans not know God?

Did they not have religion?

You don’t know it was AFRICANS who invented religion?

Not just religion, but speech, writing, the calendar, mathematics, architecture, medicine, seafaring, iron smelting, and mining of minerals, alchemy, astronomy, the institution of marriage, and other innovations.

All are black African in origin.

I’m sure you credit all these achievements to whites and Asians because YOUR IGNORANCE STINKS!

No wonder most of you feel so inferior.

You know NOTHING about your African history.

Zero.

Totally ignorant.

Disgraceful.

Rostikol:


SOME OF YOU ARE SO IGNORANT, IT’S DISGUSTING.

LOOK AT A WHOLE AFRICAN FROM THE CRADLE OF CIVILISATION SAYING THAT HINDUISM IS THE “Oldest recorded religion”.

Hinduism in INDIA!

Was India occupied by humans before Africa?

So as you are now with your thick head, you don’t know that humans lived and thrived in Africa for thousands of years before they ventured out to populate and civilize the rest of the world, including the India you mentioned?

Did those Africans not know God?

Did they not have religion?

You don’t know it was AFRICANS who invented religion?

Not just religion, but speech, writing, the calendar, mathematics, architecture, medicine, seafaring, iron smelting, and mining of minerals, alchemy, astronomy, the institution of marriage, and other innovations.

All are black African in origin.

I’m sure you credit all these achievements to whites and Asians because YOUR IGNORANCE STINKS!

No wonder most of you feel so inferior.

You know NOTHING about your African history.

Zero.

Totally ignorant.

Disgraceful.

your are the ignorant one here you don’t even know that India was indeed part of Africa that aside the oldest religion is still Hinduism yes I agree that other African groups had their own traditional religion but for historical reasons I’d go with Hinduism as the first recorded religion

illicit:


I said the first religion depends on your beiief

You said any student of religion knows it's Hinduism

Now is everyone a student of religion?

Ok that means u can authoritatively mention the first humans and the first language

Even though I am a Linguist, we don't know the first language sir

It's speculations

There's a difference between the first recorded something and the first something

if you are indeed a linguistic as you claim then you learnt nothing indeed they are languages that are considered the first languages because languages came about recently prehistoric humans languages were more of sounds and gestures.
Language as we know did not start from a particular place or period

Arda1000:
if you are indeed a linguistic as you claim then you learnt nothing indeed they are languages that are considered the first guan languages because languages came about recently prehistoric humans languages were more of sounds and gestures.

I am a Linguist not a linguistic

Don't go there...

illicit:


I am a Linguist not a linguistic

Don't go there...

yea a dumb one

Arda1000:
yea a dumb one

Oh I see

I thought you are academically inclined...

Arda1000:
your are the ignorant one here you don’t even know that India was indeed part of Africa that aside the oldest religion is still Hinduism yes I agree that other African groups had their own traditional religion but for historical reasons I’d go with Hinduism as the first recorded religion

Garbage.

Where was India when the black African empire of KEMET, also known as Egypt, was ruling the entire world?

Civilising the entire world?

Conveying AFRICAN RELIGION to the entire world?

What is so-called Hinduism if not a mishmash of African religious concepts fused with the musings of latter-day Aryan invaders of the once all-black India?

Are you aware that black Africans populated the world for thousands of years before any whites or Asians existed?

It's a comical embarrassment to credit Asians or whites with pioneering religion.

Learn about the AFRICAN invention of religion here:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSb8TswXoyo&t=77s&ab_channel=AfricanHistoryStation