Did monotheism develop generally around the same time period around the world?

Question

Did monotheism develop generally around the same time period around the world?

Answer 1

The 1st sustain monotheistic religion was that of the nomadic Hebrews (or Jews); the coming of Jesus resulted in an a new religion (Christianity) and the coming of Mohammad resulted in a different religion (Islam); So, as you can tell by the progression all 3 of these religions are worshipping the same God but through different prophets. Knowing that now don't you think it's amazing how we set to killing each other so quickly and often? (hint: it's all politics and resource control, always has been)

Answer 2

Not exactly.

In Africa, the first was probably the Aten cult in the reign of the Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten (about 1335 BCE).  It is debatable whether this was a religious or political movement.

The Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and finally Islam) all started with Abram (later Abraham) about 1812 BCE to 1637 BCE.  The exact date is uncertain.

Zoroastrianism started with Zoroaster (also called Zarathustra or Zartosht).  The time period during which Zoroaster live is highy debated.  Most place him between 500 BCE and 1000 BCE.

Some forms of Hinduism are monotheistic and date back to 1700 BCE to 1100 BCE.

The Bahá'í Faith is very recent in comparison, dating from the mid 1800's.

Answer 3

that depends on how wide your time period is. the 3 great monotheistic religions judaism, christianity, and islam developed sequentially, not at the same time.

however, if your time period encompasses a thousand years or so then you could say that they all developed around the same point in terms of broad human history.

Answer 4

It is a BIG STORY - how the human mind changes.  Over 500 years or so the old gods died all around the Mediterranean - and they were replaced by Christianity in various forms.  

Anyway - it's an amazing phenomenon.  Monotheism was "invented" by Ikhnaton's father - Amenhotep III - (1386-1349 BC) at least there's inscriptions to suggest that.  And then Ikhnaton enforced the idea.  

And why one god???  It could be it was a political move.  All the gods of Egypt had drunk up the land and the man power - all those temples - all those gods - all those priests - all that money which wasn't in the king's purse but was supporting all those gods!

Anyway - it's a fantastic story how this change took place - over a thousand years or so - all over the place.  Pantheons hung on for a long time - but they were suddenly no longer as attractive as the one god idea.  Pagan revivals were attempted, but they'd never stick - and bit  by bit, the ancient religions winked out.