Which religion is considered the oldest monotheistic religion?
A Shintoism
B Judaism
C Daoism
D Hinduism
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is B. Judaism.
Judaism is widely considered the oldest monotheistic religion. It traces its origins back to the ancient Hebrews in the Middle East, with foundational texts like the Hebrew Bible (or Tanakh) and significant figures like Abraham, who is often regarded as the first patriarch of the Jewish people. Monotheism, the belief in a single, all-powerful God, became central to Jewish religious practice and thought. Abraham’s covenant with God, as described in the Hebrew Bible, marked the beginning of a unique relationship between the Jewish people and their God, Yahweh. Over time, this belief evolved into the core doctrine of Judaism, distinguishing it from polytheistic religions that worshipped multiple gods.
Judaism’s development as a monotheistic faith was influenced by its history, culture, and prophetic teachings. Early Israelites practiced a form of religion that was not strictly monotheistic, but over centuries, Jewish prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel emphasized the idea of one God, who was not just the deity of the Israelites but the Creator of all.
In contrast, other ancient religions like Hinduism (D) and Daoism (C) do not adhere strictly to monotheism. Hinduism is a complex religion with a wide array of gods and goddesses, though it does have monotheistic interpretations, such as the belief in Brahman as the ultimate reality. Shintoism (A) is a polytheistic religion, focusing on the worship of kami (spirits or deities), and is rooted in the practices and beliefs of Japan’s indigenous culture.
Thus, Judaism holds the distinction of being the oldest monotheistic religion, laying the groundwork for later monotheistic faiths, including Christianity and Islam. It shaped the understanding of a single, omnipotent God and influenced much of Western religious thought.