When it comes to which religion is the oldest, there has been a lot of disagreement and debate throughout the years. Depending on where one turns, the answer can substantially differ. To answer the question “Which religions are older than Christianity?”, it is essential to understand the history of religious beliefs and the various spiritual practices followed around the world.
The oldest religions known to us are Animism, Atenism, Hinduism, and Buddhism with each dating back thousands of years before the birth of Christ. Animism is a spiritual practice that revolved around the belief that all objects in nature, including plants, animal, and rocks, have a spiritual essence or soul. This belief dates back to thousands of years ago and is largely responsible for the rise of other religions, including Hinduism and Buddhism, that have their roots in Animism. The ancient Egyptian religion, Atenism, is also believed to have been passed down from Animism, but with a focus on the worship of the sun-disk, Aten. Atenism is thought to have originated as early as 3100 BCE, predating the life of Christ by up to a thousand years.
Hinduism is thought to be amongst the oldest religions in the world, with a history dating back to the fourth century BCE. Hinduism is widely practiced in India, where its originator, the earliest Vedic religious texts, were written down. In those documents, it is believed that the religion originated from an ancient spiritual wisdom that was passed on orally. Hinduism is mostly based on the core principle of the “law of karma” which states that the actions of a person determine their destiny. Thus, it is highly intertwined with the concept of reincarnation, as karma from one lifetime can affect the life of the person in their next lifetime.
Buddhism is another very ancient religion, which originated from the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical founder of Buddhism. Gautama was born in what is now India and he began preaching his teachings around 500 BCE. Like Hinduism, Buddhism is focused around the concept of reincarnation and emphasizes the use of meditation to help a person “wake up” to the reality of life. For Buddhists, the goal of life is “enlightenment”, which involves realizing our oneness with the universe, breaking free from the cycle of birth and death and realizing the truth of our true nature: that we are one with all that is.
Christianity is the world’s most popular religion, and its followers number around 2 billion worldwide. Christianity is based around the teachings of Jesus Christ, who is believed to have been born around the year zero in Bethlehem. In Christianity, the belief is in a single deity, an omnipresent and omniscient God, who is the creator of the universe and its laws. Unlike other ancient religions, Christianity is not based on karma, the belief in cycles of life and death, or the use of meditation, but instead centers its beliefs around faith, good moral conduct and the idea of an afterlife.
Judaism
Judaism is an ancient religion closely linked to Christianity, and is based on the beliefs of Abraham, the first of the prophets. Abraham is believed to have lived in what is now modern-day Israel around the 15th century BCE. Jews believe in one God, who is beyond the material world, and is the creator of the universe. Judaism is the oldest of the three “Abrahamic” faiths, the others being Christianity and Islam. Jews have their own set of laws and customs called the “Torah”, as well as a set of holidays and festivals.
Zoroastrianism
Another ancient religion is Zoroastrianism, which originated in the region of present-day Iran. It is believed to have been founded by a man known as Zoroaster, who probably lived in the 6th or 7th century BCE. Zoroaster developed a form of religious belief which revolved around the worship of a single God and the belief in cosmic order and justice. Zoroaster preached that people should love their enemies, be tolerant and humble, and also taught the importance of prayer, fasting and charity.
Taoism
Taoism is an ancient Chinese spiritual philosophy that emphasizes the idea of living in harmony and balance with the universe. It was founded around the 6th century BCE by a Chinese sage known as Lao Tzu. Taoism literally means “the way”, and its followers strive to stay in alignment and resonance with the natural rhythm of the universe. Taoists believe in the idea of “wu-wei”, or “non-action”, which means to simply go with the flow and live in accordance with the laws of nature.
Shintoism
Shintoism is an ancient Japanese religion, believed to have originated in the 8th century BCE. Shintoism is based on the belief in the spiritual presence of a large number of “Kami,” or deities in nature, who are responsible for the creation of the universe and everyday life. The most central teaching of Shintoism is the idea of “Harmony as a Way” and its followers are strongly encouraged to be harmonious with nature and each other and live in balance.
Confucianism
Confucianism is a philosophy or tradition that was created in ancient China, with its roots in the teachings of the sage Confucius, who was born in 551 BCE. Confucius drew on the teachings and traditions of earlier Chinese philosophies and religions in order to create Confucianism, one of the most important philosophical schools of thought originating in East Asia. Confucius is well known for his teachings on morality and ethics, respect for authority and justice, as well as ancestor worship.
Sikhism
Sikhism is another of the ancient religions that has its origins in what is now India. It was founded in the 15th century by Guru Nanak Dev, who set out to unite the various Hindu and Muslim beliefs of the time. At its core, Sikhism preaches the concept of “One God” and encourages the adherents to live their lives with the practice of “kirat karÅ,” which essentially means “living honestly”. Furthermore, Sikhism emphasizes the concept of equality amongst all people, regardless of their race, gender, or socioeconomic status.
Jainism
The last ancient religion that we will consider is Jainism, which originated in India around the 6th century BCE. Jainism is focused around the teachings of Mahavira, one of the 24 prophets who brought the Jain message of nonviolence and respect for all living things. Jains believe in the spiritual liberation of humankind, and they practice a type of asceticism which involves abstaining from material possessions and living modestly. Followers of this ancient religion strive to reduce their negative impact on the environment and to live in harmony and balance with nature.
