Was the first religion Monotheistic, Polytheistic, or what?

[Holly3278]

Hey everyone. I am participating in a thread on another forum on a different site and they want to know if the oldest religion what Monotheistic, Polytheistic, or what. I am thinking that it was Monotheistic because the very first people were Adam and Eve and they knew God. Could I use that argument or is there another better argument?

 

[adawgj]

one of the oldest monotheistic religions is Judaism
one of the oldest polytheistic religions is Hinduism
and both started around the same time period like 1500 BC i think

 

[valekhai]

Hey everyone. I am participating in a thread on another forum on a different site and they want to know if the oldest religion what Monotheistic, Polytheistic, or what. I am thinking that it was Monotheistic because the very first people were Adam and Eve and they knew God. Could I use that argument or is there another better argument?

Obviously, that argument won’t be of interest to anyone who doesn’t believe that the story of Adam and Eve is historical. That doesn’t mean you can’t use it, but it probably won’t get you anywhere.

 

[GaryTaylor]

They were living by Gods grace all along even if they knew it or not. Same then as today.

 

[VanSensei]

Hey everyone. I am participating in a thread on another forum on a different site and they want to know if the oldest religion what Monotheistic, Polytheistic, or what. I am thinking that it was Monotheistic because the very first people were Adam and Eve and they knew God. Could I use that argument or is there another better argument?

I wanna say monotheistic because of Zoroastrianism, this religion out of ancient Persia. It’s been around for millenia.
But then there’s Hinduism and some of the ancient Chinese religions. Those are polytheistic.
You have the Old Testament proto-Judaism which practiced many idolatrous sacrifices, polytheistic in a sense.

I don’t know. It’s a good question and makes you think.

 

[GaryTaylor]

Last 5500 years recorded, Egypt for sure

 

[Joe_5859]

Obviously, that argument won’t be of interest to anyone who doesn’t believe that the story of Adam and Eve is historical. That doesn’t mean you can’t use it, but it probably won’t get you anywhere.

I concur.

Is this just a discussion for the sake of this issue or is someone trying to use it to make a point about something else? That would probably change how I would respond.

 

[runningdude]

I wanna say monotheistic because of Zoroastrianism, this religion out of ancient Persia. It’s been around for millenia.
But then there’s Hinduism and some of the ancient Chinese religions. Those are polytheistic.
You have the Old Testament proto-Judaism which practiced many idolatrous sacrifices, polytheistic in a sense.

I don’t know. It’s a good question and makes you think.

The Old Testament “proto-Judaism” was a corruption of the primordial religion of Adam and Eve. This is why Moses was given the First Commandment, “I am the Lord your God. You shall not have any gods before me.”

The basis of all religion is the spiritual side of human nature, which is drawn to seek out and understand God. The Bible documents the history of the “Chosen People”, who were set apart as an example for the nations, but were not necessarily the only nation with the correct religion. In scripture, there are hints that other nations worshiped the same God, such as the priestly King of Salem, Melchizedek, giving an offer of bread and wine on behalf of Abraham.

Many formal religious systems devolved into polytheism before written records were kept. I suspect if records existed, all peoples at one time believed in one God. As it is, many polytheistic religions still have a king of gods (although the king of gods can change based on which nation conquered which). Incidentally, our God even used this mythologies of successive gods to His advantage, leading the Israelite nation to numerous miraculous victories, and stumping the Egyptian magicians. Our God demonstrated in every manner that he was the true god!

Zoroastrianism is an interesting case, because it seems that the polytheistic pantheon was whittled down to a supreme being or intelligent creative force. Some of the corrupted beliefs were whittled away to form a truer, though imperfect religion. The religion even discerned the coming of a savior figure.

The bible tells us that the three wise man discerned the nativity of our lord by reading the stars. It is therefore, not impossible that the ancient Iranians also independently discerned the coming of Jesus, written into the fabric of the universe, though they must have misread many of the details.

 

[bobbyhillisabro]

Hey everyone. I am participating in a thread on another forum on a different site and they want to know if the oldest religion what Monotheistic, Polytheistic, or what. I am thinking that it was Monotheistic because the very first people were Adam and Eve and they knew God. Could I use that argument or is there another better argument?

Do you mean the first false religion made up after the fall of man?

 

[meltzerboy]

one of the oldest monotheistic religions is Judaism
one of the oldest polytheistic religions is Hinduism
and both started around the same time period like 1500 BC i think

I don’t believe Hindus regard their religion as polytheistic or pantheistic but rather panentheistic and, for some, monotheistic. Likewise, Judaism at its inception in ancient times consisted of several varieties (some scholars say about 20 or 25), some of which were polytheistic rather than monotheistic.

 

[Skadi]

Hey everyone. I am participating in a thread on another forum on a different site and they want to know if the oldest religion what Monotheistic, Polytheistic, or what. I am thinking that it was Monotheistic because the very first people were Adam and Eve and they knew God. Could I use that argument or is there another better argument?

The first religions were animistic, they believed that everything had a spirit, from trees and rocks and rivers and mountains to mice and men. Think Shamans or American Indians.

Polytheism developed eventually with the rise of larger social groups and the first towns.

Monotheism was the last to develop, with the oldest recorded monotheist religions being Zoroastrianism (which could actually be duo theistic) and Judaism.

 

[Holly3278]

I concur.

Is this just a discussion for the sake of this issue or is someone trying to use it to make a point about something else? That would probably change how I would respond.

This is a discussion just for the sake of discussion from what I can tell. Its not a debate or anything but it seems to be a mere exchange of ideas and information.

Do you mean the first false religion made up after the fall of man?

Well, I am trying to find out exactly what type of religion the very first religion was regardless of whether or not it was true or false. Basically I just want to know whether that very first religion was Monotheistic, Polytheistic, Pantheistic, Panentheistic, Atheistic, Agnostic, or whatever.

 

[Skadi]

This is a discussion just for the sake of discussion from what I can tell. Its not a debate or anything but it seems to be a mere exchange of ideas and information.

Well, I am trying to find out exactly what type of religion the very first religion was regardless of whether or not it was true or false. Basically I just want to know whether that very first religion was Monotheistic, Polytheistic, Pantheistic, Panentheistic, Atheistic, Agnostic, or whatever.

If you believe a lateral interpretation of the bible, that all humans started from Adam and Eve and that Eden is a physical place, then it would be monotheism.

If you believe the evidence suggested by history, archeology, and sociology, then it would be animism.

 

[Publisher]

If one believes in the mythic telling of creation is actual history written 100000 years after the first humans evolved, then yes, according to your ordering and combining mythic oral history passed down millennia to millennia is literal fact, I’d have to say the myth indicate
our first parents belief was monotheistic …IF one believed that of course!

However many of us believe the historical record indicates our first ancestors that could be called “human”. They most likely were involved in ancestor worship which evolved on t to multiple goda

 

[Holly3278]

Well, let me ask this: Does the Catholic Church tell us what the first religion was in regards to its view of God? I am wanting to participate in that thread but I want to give the most accurate viewpoint that I can which would be in accord with the teachings of the Catholic Church. So, does the Catholic Church teach that the first religion was Monotheistic or does the Church even have a position on the issue?

 

[Joe_5859]

Well, let me ask this: Does the Catholic Church tell us what the first religion was in regards to its view of God? I am wanting to participate in that thread but I want to give the most accurate viewpoint that I can which would be in accord with the teachings of the Catholic Church. So, does the Catholic Church teach that the first religion was Monotheistic or does the Church even have a position on the issue?

It’s really more of a historical question so I don’t believe the Church has any sort of official teaching on the matter.

My knowledge of ancient history doesn’t extend that far. So I don’t really know the answer. I would be surprised if there was only one accepted viewpoint in that regard, though. Either way, it doesn’t really change anything about our Catholic faith.

 

[Holly3278]

It’s really more of a historical question so I don’t believe the Church has any sort of official teaching on the matter.

My knowledge of ancient history doesn’t extend that far. So I don’t really know the answer. I would be surprised if there was only one accepted viewpoint in that regard, though. Either way, it doesn’t really change anything about our Catholic faith.

Oh okay. Well I do want to thank everyone for their (name removed by moderator)ut. I might choose not to participate in the thread but I’m not sure. I haven’t posted in it yet. I’ll have to think about it.

 

[Gricken]

It’s really more of a historical question so I don’t believe the Church has any sort of official teaching on the matter.

My knowledge of ancient history doesn’t extend that far. So I don’t really know the answer. I would be surprised if there was only one accepted viewpoint in that regard, though. Either way, it doesn’t really change anything about our Catholic faith.

You are correct, this is really a history question. Luckily I do have some knowledge of history if I remember correctly, Hinduism is the worlds oldest religion. So polytheism came before monotheism. Hope that helps

 

[Joe_5859]

You are correct, this is really a history question. Luckily I do have some knowledge of history if I remember correctly, Hinduism is the worlds oldest religion. So polytheism came before monotheism. Hope that helps

Does Hinduism predate even some of the ancient near-Eastern religions that aren’t really practiced anymore?

 

[Gricken]

Does Hinduism predate even some of the ancient near-Eastern religions that aren’t really practiced anymore?

If my memory on the subject is correct, then yes. Of course it has been awhile since I’ve looked into it. I know it’s the oldest religion still around today. I could be mistaken, however. Either way, the first religions were most certainly polytheistic