Religion is a significant aspect of global culture that has a profound impact on various aspects of contemporary societies. It influences political systems, social hierarchies, individual identities, and cultural traditions. To gain a deeper understanding of religion, it is essential to explore its historical origins and development. Some of the world’s oldest religions have ancient roots that can be traced back over 5,000 years. On the other hand, there are also religions that emerged more recently, dating back to the 15th century. Let us now explore the ten oldest religions in the world.
1. Hinduism
Hinduism, one of the oldest religions in the world, is widely practiced in South Asian nations, particularly India. Its origins can be traced back to around 1,500 B.C., making it a highly ancient religion. In India, more than four out of five individuals identify themselves as followers of Hinduism. The foundation of Hinduism revolves around the concept of dharma, which emphasizes morality and virtue in one’s actions. Dharma also governs social structures and cosmic processes, acting as an all-pervasive force. Hinduism incorporates a caste system that divides society into various social classes. The religion also utilizes several symbols, such as the swastika, symbolizing good fortune, and the Om, representing a sacred sound. Hinduism draws inspiration from the concepts of samsara and karma. Karma refers to the law of cause and effect, while samsara is a term used to describe the cycle of rebirth.
2. Judaism & Yahwism
Judaism, the second-oldest monotheistic religion, has around 15 million followers who identify as Jews. It shares similarities with Christianity and holds a significant historical presence of nearly 4,000 years. Today, Judaism is the official religion of Israel. Judaism is considered one of the oldest religions, serving as the foundation for the religious doctrines of Christianity and Islam. Followers of Judaism believe in monotheism and consider idol worship as sinful. The origins of Judaism can be traced back to Yahwism, a religion practiced by the Hebrew people over 4,000 years ago. Yahwism was born when Yahweh commanded Abraham to establish a nation. The dynasty formed by Abraham’s son Isaac and grandson Jacob played a crucial role in shaping the lives of the Hebrews for generations to come.
3. Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism, the third-oldest religion globally, is based on the principles of the book Jenda Avesta. The exact origin of Zoroastrianism is a topic of controversy, with some suggesting it dates back to the 6th century B.C. and others claiming it could be even earlier. Thousands of years ago, the prophet Zoroaster brought his teachings and divine insights to Persia. Central to Zoroastrianism is the belief in monotheism and the worship of Ahura Mazda. The religion emphasizes the “law of Asha,” which highlights the significance of truth and morality. Zoroastrianism once governed the Persian Empire, but today its followers number only a few hundred thousand. Zoroastrianism has had a significant influence on various religions, including Islam and Christianity.
4. Jainism
The Jain religion holds the position as the fourth-oldest religion globally. Jainism, along with Buddhism, can be traced back to its roots in the Hindu religion, also known as Sanatana Dharma. According to Jainism, leading a harmless and selfless life is the key to attaining liberation and happiness. In India, the current Jain population stands at six million, which accounts for less than 2 percent of the total population. The states of Gujarat and Rajasthan are the primary regions with a significant Jain population. Many Jains migrated to East Africa and later settled in Britain, where their community has grown to over 30,000 individuals. The ultimate goal of Jain existence is to achieve redemption of the soul.
5. Shinto Religion
The Shinto religion holds the position as the fifth-oldest religion globally.In Japan, Shinto is the traditional religion, also known as Kami-no-Michi, which focuses on performing rituals to connect the present with the country’s historical past. Shinto is a significant and vital religion in Japan, with numerous deities called kami representing various natural forces.Over time, Buddhism has become closely associated with Shinto, and many Buddhist concepts have been incorporated into it. Estimates suggest that there are approximately 3 million followers of Shinto worldwide. Jinja refers to the places of worship in Shinto, and shrines dedicated to kami can be found in various locations across Japan. The Torii serves as a marker of sacred territory and acts as the entrance to a sacred place, such as a Jinja.
6. Confucianism
Confucianism, founded by the scholar Confucius in 600 B.C., is considered both a political philosophy and a religion due to its focus on spiritual and societal goals. Confucius emphasized the hierarchical structure of society and identified three fundamental relationships: father and son, husband and wife, and monarch and minister. Confucius believed that his teachings were divinely inspired and directly from Heaven, rather than being merely his personal philosophy. He advocated for the transcendence of reality, asserting that it encompassed more than just the physical realm. According to Confucius, five key principles should govern life. The first principle is the pursuit of virtue and prioritizing human connections as the foundation of goodness and humanity.
7. Buddhism
Buddhism was established by Siddhartha Gautama in 560 B.C. Siddhartha Gautama embarked on a journey to understand the meaning of life’s extremes, eventually attaining enlightenment, a state of peace and wisdom for the mind and soul. His followers bestowed upon him the title of “the Buddha,” which signifies enlightenment. The Buddha dedicated his entire life to imparting knowledge about spiritual enlightenment to others. The Four Noble Truths serve as the fundamental principles of Buddhism. These truths, namely samudaya, nirhodha, magga, and dukkha, represent suffering, its origin, its resolution, and the path to liberation from it. The Four Noble Truths aid humanity in comprehending suffering and finding ways to overcome it, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of enlightenment itself.
8. Taoism
Taoism originated in China between 450 and 500 A.D. It initially began as a set of Chinese customs and practices, which later evolved into a religion. The founders of Taoism aimed to preserve traditional Chinese customs that were being threatened by the rise of Buddhism. Initially, Taoism was followed by the educated and wealthy classes, but it gradually gained followers from lower social strata as well. Different Taoist traditions and practices are preferred depending on the type of follower. The term “Tao” refers to “the path,” representing the essential elements of reality. Taoism emphasizes harmony and is symbolized by the Yin-Yang symbol, which represents the infinite capacity for growth and change in the universe. Another emblem associated with Taoism is the crane, which symbolizes perfection.
9. Christianity
Christianity originated around 30 A.D., based on the teachings and life of Jesus Christ, who was a Jewish man born in Nazareth. Jesus introduced significant changes to Judaic regulations that had long shaped Jewish culture. He proclaimed himself as the Son of God and preached that redemption could only be achieved through faith in his name and his teachings. Jesus’ message reached Israel through his 12 disciples. Following Jesus’ execution and resurrection, his followers established the Christian church, which was later spread throughout the Middle East and Europe by the Apostle Paul. Christianity’s core beliefs revolve around loving God (the same deity worshipped in Judaism) and loving others. Christianity also emphasizes the importance of virtues such as restraint, goodness, humility, and loyalty.
10. Islam
Muslims, followers of a monotheistic religion, believe in the oneness of Prophet Hood and Allah Almighty. According to the “Pew Research Center,” there were approximately 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide in 2015. It is estimated that by 2060, the global Muslim population will reach 2.9 billion. Islam, similar to Judaism and Christianity, is a monotheistic religion that traces its origins back to the Yahwist patriarch Abraham. Muslims worship Allah, who sent the angel Gabriel to the final prophet Muhammad with his revelation, dating back to 610 A.D. The term “Islam” means “submission to God’s will,” reflecting the belief that everything Muslims do should be approved by Allah. While acknowledging the existence of earlier Judeo-Christian prophets, Muslims consider Muhammad to be the final prophet who preached Allah’s law.
