Where and when did the theories and idea of religion start?

Question

Where and when did the theories and idea of religion start?

Answer 1

It actually began with the Pagans.

They were the first to invent their own religion and believed in worshipping the Earth and one or more creators.

Answer 2

The oldest religion about which we have any evidence (archaeological)is that of the Neanderthals. Theirs was apparently a rich spiritual life. It included rituals intended to appease spirits, rituals intended to assist the dead into the afterlife and rituals to give thanks for a successful hunt.

Next oldest is that of the Aborigines of Australia. It's 40,000 years old that we KNOW of and still has faithful practitioners today. It too has spirit beings which guide, guard and assist the people into, through and out of their lives here. It too has rituals to connect with those spirits. It too has an afterlife and a "guidebook" to get one there.

Hope this helped.

Answer 3

hmmm.. interesting.

it would have been as soon as man could start questioning and showing curiousity, seeing as gods are just excuses for what we do not yet know.