The World's Religions
Humans have not only made remarkable technological advances in the world, but there have also been an immense amount of progress in the field of religion. Numerous new systems of belief, theories, rituals, and traditions have come into existence since Homo sapiens first brought about the general concept of religion over 100,000 years ago. These first, or “primal,” religions were passed from generation to generation orally, through immaculate, detailed stories. Since the early humans had nothing around them except for the environment, primal religions were closely tied to the earth and to the specific localities of those people who practice them. For instance, tribes such as the Aborigines would interpret lightning as a sign that the gods were angry which meant they had done something wrong. Not only did tribes such as the Aborigines, Maoris, Polynesians, and Africans believe that the gods responded through natural forces such as rain, thunder, sun, or lightning, but also that God was manifested in myriad ways and forms such as trees, valleys, lakes, and even animals. Animism, this belief that physical reality is animated by spirits, was a common credence in the early stages of religion. As the world and human species continued to evolve, so did the ideas and knowledge about religion.
Primal religions existed for thousands of years before any of the more popular world religions were developed. Hinduism is the oldest and most complex religious system in the world. Although there is no specific founder and theology, it is known that Hinduism originated from the religious practices of the Aryan tribes who attacked the Harappan people living in modern day India around 1500 BCE. At first, there were disagreements between the two tribes, but by adapting their own religious beliefs, they developed similar beliefs based on the polytheism of the Aryans and the sanctity of fertility of the Harappans. Hindu traditions and beliefs have altered since their original...
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