The unknown is something that is always present in the life of people. Since time immemorial, when people have gone up against the unknown or unknowable, they often attribute it to some greater entity or god-figure.
Thus, it would not be wrong to say that religions have been a practice of mankind for a while now.
Let’s check out three of the oldest religions to ever exist in our world.
Taoism
The first religion the John R Rice team will be presenting is Taoism. Taoism came to be approximately 500 years BCE. It is a majority Chinese religion based upon the teachings of Lao Tzu. The book Lao Tzu wrote, the “Tao Te Ching”, is considered the main holy book that they follow.
The Taoism religion emphasizes harmony and balance within a person. This is probably more commonly known by the yin and yang symbols that people are familiar with nowadays.
The yin and yang symbols are symbols of the forces present in the world that work well together. In fact, these forces complement each other. Hot and cold. Light and dark. Taoism focuses on understanding this balance.
There are currently two practices of Taoism. One focuses on the pure philosophical aspect of it, while the other focuses on religious rituals that are mainly focused on finding immortality.
Zoroastrianism
Officially, the religion of Zoroastrianism came about just 6 years BCE. However, several important roots of this religion were discovered as far back as 1,500 BCE.
Zoroastrianism is an interesting religion. At one point, it was seen as the strongest religion in the world. This was probably around 600 BCE when it was still the main religion of the Persian nation.
In this religion, the god is called Ahura Mazda. People often confuse Zoroastrianism with people who worship fire. Contrary to popular belief though, the followers of this religion only see fire as something that carries within it the wisdom of their god.
Hinduism
One of the oldest religions in the world today is Hinduism and is still being practice today. Interestingly enough, while it is the oldest religion, it must be stated that it has no founding book or text that it follows.
Rather, Hinduism takes parts from differing religions in order to create a new one. Hinduism now is thus a housing of traditions and beliefs that they appropriated.
One of the oldest scriptures of this religion is called Rig Veda. This particular scripture is dated around 3,500 years BCE. However, there is something that points to something older.
Archaeologists have since found several cow and bull statues and motifs that date back to 7,000 years BCE.
These are only a few of the oldest religions in the world. We are sure that there are more religions that have been lost to the sands of time. We hope that more is discovered.