Was the first religion Monotheistic, Polytheistic, or what?

[Skadi]

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

This isnt entirely true, Hinduism is the oldest religion with a name, but archeological evidence shows that people practiced animal and ancestor worship, ie. animism, up to 10,000 years ago. Hinduism is the oldest religion with a name and structure, but it didnt simply pop up out of nowhere. In fact Hinduism is one of dozens of religions that evolved out of the ancient Indo-Aryan religion.

Hinduism is the oldest major world religion, but it was not the first.

 

[Gricken]

This isnt entirely true, Hinduism is the oldest religion with a name, but archeological evidence shows that people practiced animal and ancestor worship, ie. animism, up to 10,000 years ago. Hinduism is the oldest religion with a name and structure, but it didnt simply pop up out of nowhere. In fact Hinduism is one of dozens of religions that evolved out of the ancient Indo-Aryan religion.

Hinduism is the oldest major world religion, but it was not the first.

I admitted that my knowledge was a bit rusty. But thank you for clearing it up

 

[Skadi]

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

Not realy, Polytheism grew out of animism, the belief everything has a spirit. Eventually the spirits of mighty natural forces such as the wind and fire became the first gods that humans worshiped.

 

[Gricken]

Not realy, Polytheism grew out of animism, the belief everything has a spirit. Eventually the spirits of mighty natural forces such as the wind and fire became the first gods that humans worshiped.

But doesn’t the belief that everything have a spirit include polytheism? It is still worshiping more than one god right?

 

[StrawberryJam]

Is the person asking this question asking for the earliest religion that we have evidence of or are they asking if we can see that older cultures may have incorporated rituals that indicate worship? I think if you posted the actual question asked in it’s full context, we could be of much more help to you. I am glad you are hesitant about participating in the thread on that forum until you know a bit more about the purpose of the question. No one here would like to see you get into a position where you will be possibly be called out for a lack of knowledge on the subject and potentially causing some participating to assume that catholics have little knowledge about topics outside of their own relgion.

 

[Skadi]

But doesn’t the belief that everything have a spirit include polytheism? It is still worshiping more than one god right?

It dosnt necessarily involve worship of anything. The Spirit of a Mountain or a river or that tree over there isnt necessarily a god. Although it is much more akin to polytheism than to monotheism.

 

[Gricken]

It dosnt necessarily involve worship of anything. The Spirit of a Mountain or a river or that tree over there isnt necessarily a god. Although it is much more akin to polytheism than to monotheism.

I guess that’s what I was trying to say. Thanks for clearing that up for me:thumbsup:

grumbles to self I need to study this more if I’m every gonna get my degree…

 

[Skadi]

I guess that’s what I was trying to say. Thanks for clearing that up for me:thumbsup:

grumbles to self I need to study this more if I’m every gonna get my degree…

Haha ya Im a history major, and I generally like knowing this kind of stuff lol. 99% of people dont know 95% all the languages and ancient religions from Scotland to Singapore all come from the same original source, being the Indo-Aryans.

 

[runningdude]

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?

The Catholic Church teaches us that Adam and Eve were the first humans (leaving the open the question as to whether they were created though evolution, or by direct divine intervention).

The Book of Genesis gives a few details of the primordial faith practiced by early humans. For instance, Adam and Eve communed directly with God before the fall. Their sons Kane and Abel offered sacrifices of their crops. One son found favor by offering his best crops; the other offered only a mediocre sacrifice and then murdered his brother out of jealousy.

Sacrifice has been central to the true faith, ultimately culminating in the perfect sacrifice Christ made of himself on the cross. Nearly all false faiths that diverged from the true faith have imitated this element of worship, showing their common origin.

 

[StrawberryJam]

The Catholic Church teaches us that Adam and Eve were the first humans (leaving the open the question as to whether they were created though evolution, or by direct divine intervention).

The Book of Genesis gives a few details of the primordial faith practiced by early humans. For instance, Adam and Eve communed directly with God before the fall. Their sons Kane and Abel offered sacrifices of their crops. One son found favor by offering his best crops; the other offered only a mediocre sacrifice and then murdered his brother out of jealousy.

Sacrifice has been central to the true faith, ultimately culminating in the perfect sacrifice Christ made of himself on the cross. Nearly all false faiths that diverged from the true faith have imitated this element of worship, showing their common origin.

Runningdude,

Please let me know what the dogma is regarding adam and eve.

 

[runningdude]

Runningdude,

Please let me know what the dogma is regarding adam and eve.

StrawberryJam,

The official teaching is that Adam and Eve existed.

• RD

 

[Razanir]

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.

Monistic, actually. Or at least that was the vocab word from my Ancient Civilizations class a few years ago

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.

Bingo. I was going to say animism until I saw this. (Actually, I would have said pantheistic, but animistic sounds more accurate)

However, IIRC, Zoroastrianism is considered to be dualistic, not monotheistic