The concept of monotheism, or the belief in a single, all-powerful God, is a central tenet of many of the world’s major religions. While there is some debate over which religion is the oldest to have a belief in one God, there are several candidates that are commonly cited by scholars and historians.
One of the earliest examples of monotheism can be found in ancient Egypt, where the pharaoh Akhenaten (reigned c. 1353–1336 BCE) introduced the worship of a single deity, the sun god Aten. Akhenaten’s monotheistic religion was short-lived, however, as his successors quickly returned to traditional polytheistic worship.
Another contender for the title of oldest monotheistic religion is Zoroastrianism, an ancient religion that originated in Persia (modern-day Iran) around 2000 BCE. Zoroastrianism is based on the teachings of the prophet Zarathustra (or Zoroaster), who preached the worship of a single God, Ahura Mazda. The religion was the dominant faith in Persia for centuries, and it influenced the development of other religions in the region, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Judaism, one of the world’s major monotheistic religions, traces its roots back to the ancient Israelites, who believed in a single, all-powerful God. The religion emerged in the Middle East around 1800 BCE, and it was based on the teachings of the Hebrew Bible (also known as the Old Testament). Judaism has had a profound impact on the development of Western civilization, and it has influenced many other religions, including Christianity and Islam.
Christianity, which emerged in the first century CE, is based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, who taught the worship of a single God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. While Christianity is often associated with the doctrine of the Trinity, which holds that there are three distinct persons within the one Godhead, the religion is still considered monotheistic by most scholars.
Islam, the youngest of the world’s major monotheistic religions, emerged in the Arabian Peninsula in the seventh century CE. The religion is based on the teachings of the prophet Muhammad, who taught the worship of a single God, Allah. Islam has had a profound impact on world history and culture, and it has influenced the development of other religions and societies.
In conclusion, there is no definitive answer to the question of which religion is the oldest with one God. While several candidates are often cited by scholars and historians, including ancient Egyptian monotheism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, each of these religions has a complex and multifaceted history that defies easy categorization. Ultimately, the answer to this question depends on one’s definition of what constitutes a monotheistic religion, as well as the historical and cultural context in which each religion emerged and developed.
