Obviously it’s not that simple, because otherwise we wouldn’t be having this conversation. It’s also rather strange that there are so many other religions worldwide…
This is speculation. We really have no idea when monotheism, modern or otherwise, began.
This is true–but as I understand it, there’s evidence of polytheistic stone age cultures, but I’ve never heard of a monotheistic stone age culture.
Daniel
Even being generous and giving Zoroastrianism and its roots a start in 2000 BCE, that puts it well after the beginning of the bronze age.
G’day Revenant Threshold! (How’s that for cross timezone conferencing? 
)
I must say, you’re the most agreeable person I’ve ever had the privilege of disagreeing with on this subject. It would appear we agree on many points and I read your position as a seeker of truth. We share that. I too would throw out all my beliefs if someone proved to me they were wrong. That’s unlikely since my beliefs are founded on countless interactions with God, but you won’t hear me say this side of the grave that I know the whole truth about God’s Plan - I don’t. I know enough to try to live my life in a way that honors Him, and I fail, of course, as all humans do. I know enough of God’s Plan to preach the Gospel of Christ with confidence, but what humankind understands is so little compared to the Creator of the starfields.
I find the people on this forum, so far, tend to dive deeper into the well than most and aren’t quite as quick to label and disparage. This is a novel experience for me, and a pleasant one since what I’m usually met with does nothing to further understanding, or bridge the distance between the gaps in our abilility to comprehend our differences. If there are many more here like you, I’m going to make myself comfortable, if that’s all right. Thirty-four years as a missionary and ten years running a Christian forum has taught me the ratio of ears to mouth. 
I look forward to getting to know you better.
Love - Jesse.
Why would we think that Zoroastrianism is the earliest monotheistic religion? (Depending on definition, I suppose it might be the first modern one.)
LHoD’s claim for evidence of stone age polytheism with no corresponding monotheism is more tantalizing, but I do not recall seeing any such evidence. (In fact, during an anthro course around 1970, I recall encountering a claim that monotheism appeared to predate polytheism, but it was outside reading not a textbook and I would have no way to actually cite it 38 years later.)
Then I invite Jesse to define what she thinks is the earliest possible beginning of the “right” religion (I’m assuming she thinks beliefs that don’t resemble JudeoChristianity in some way are false) and eagerly anticipate comparing it to the advent of bronze.
When we are born, we are not atheists or believers in God or a god. We operate at nothing more than the base instinct level. We eat. We sleep. We cry. We poop and pee all over ourselves and cry because we’ve pooped and peed all over ourselves. It is impossible for an infant to know anything about religion. It is not instinctual.
Some of us maintain this behaviour through adulthood.
LOL! Yeah, but you have to be a NASA astronaut to poop and pee yourself.
G’morning Bryan!
Thank you for the invitation, I hope your day’s going well.
I’m not a fan of the word ‘religion.’ My life experience has left me with the belief that there is The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit - all three connected but not co-equal.
The Bible only tells us a little, the tip of the iceberg, if you will, and our relationship with God teaches us from there, but this side of translation we still know next to nothing comparatively. We know enough to behave in the manner God wants us to - or to try to anyway - we all fail at it miserably because we’re human, but with a better future ahead as humankind is in the process of being ‘Transformed into the Image of Christ.’ (That’s Biblical.)
God has written His Laws on the heart of every human (that’s Biblical too) but He doesn’t tell us how those who don’t know His Name will be dealt with after this evanescent life is over. The Bible is a book speaking to Jews in the OT and Christians in the NT, but God makes it clear that ‘Christ died once for ALL men.’ So, there is much we don’t know about God’s plans for others, but we do know His requirements for those of us with access to The Bible.
The only ‘right religion’ as I understand it, is total surrender (of ‘self’) and trust in the God Who made us through Jesus Christ, His Son. Our job here on Earth is to 'Seek the Kingdom, preach the Kingdom, and strive to obey the Will of God - rather than our own - if it’s in opposition to His.
Everything God asks of us is always for us, and never something God is doing to us just because He can. God is LOVE and His Will is that ‘All attain to everlasting life’ simply by obeying His Will, which is really just a sensible set of instructions for living, which, when followed, make life… awesome. They’re not oppressive in the least and that’s what I’d expect from our Father Who loves us.
"Right religion’ doesn’t have a label and ‘God hates divisions and sects.’ The earliest Christians simply called God’s Way ‘The Way.’
I have no idea why bronze should be of interest to you. The Israelites were mining copper and working with bronze 3,500 years ago, perhaps before, I’d have to look that one up. How is this relevant to ‘Right religion’ or anything else to do with God?
Curious - Jess.
I would say your second (quoted) sentence refutes your first. I see now that this is actually yet another ‘how do you define “atheist”?’ thread.
You see, to myself, and most of the actual atheists who’ve commented in this thread, not believing in any gods is all it takes to be an atheist. It is not an active assertion. It is not a rejection of gods. It is not even a rational decision made after studying the available evidence. It is simply a lack of belief. Dogs, lizards, amoebas, tables and chairs? All atheists, because none believe in a god. Therefore I conclude that newborns are atheists as well, until they grow up a little and are convinced of a god by someone else.
The phrase “no one is born an atheist” isn’t meant to elevate atheism to some sort of default, ‘natural’ state; but to counteract statements like kanicbird’s, that we’re all somehow Christians deep in our soul, denying and fooling ourselves (I suppose with Satan’s help?). In fact, the point of the phrase is the exact opposite to what Shalmanese seems to think. It is not a claim for atheism as the natural state of affairs, bastardized by religious indoctrination, but to refute those exact same claims as made by Christians. I.e., that every baby naturally loves Jesus, and all us infidels shape them into atheist thugs with the help of Satan.
Also, this:
Is freaking ridiculous! Atheists need to come up with a better definition of what they are, because the one everyone keeps telling you doesn’t fit the argument you’re trying to make? How about make a better argument, instead of trying to define what I am for me?
If someone says they’re a Christian there’s still a lot more to find out about that person and their belief system isn’t there? I don’t think atheism requires one clear all encompassing definition. It merely gives you a reference point from which to continue. If I consciously enter into a discussion with someone I assume part of the responsibility of trying to clarify and understand their position.
I have no problem accepting that humans believe various things across a colourful spectrum, but it’s unclear to me that any of them are provable in any kind of objective way. It’s entirely possible that even if God exists, that every single human religion has been completely wrong about God’s true nature.
Your earlier statement, to Revenant Threshold:
“Stone age” and “bronze age” have actual meanings supported by well-researched facts, while religious beliefs are endlessly rubbery in comparison. If you’re going to make bold statements about science, I consider it fair game to comment on factual errors. If you instead stay with explorations of the trinity, then all I can say is that it all seems so very arbitrary to me, and others who call themselves Christians could easily disagree with you.
Besides, the fact that there is material not currently explainable by science isn’t proof of God. Or if it is, I’d ask why it isn’t also proof of Zeus, or Odin, or any other deity-label.
Incidentally, DrCube, how would one describe a person who believes every human religion is a self-delusional waste of time, but is indifferent to the possible existence of a god or gods?
Perhaps not at this time, but God works unseen to bring His children home. It is not always in the timing you expect. If your attempt to seek God had been honest seeking of your heart, asking God to reveal Himself to you, I believe you will find Him.
Jesus would do nicely and save a lot of trouble, but seeking the creator of Heaven and Earth would be a good start.
No quite the opposite, there is only one way to God, and that is through His Son Jesus. God keeps His patterns, there is one way, by faith, that we come to Him by.
Not that strange at all as there are many spirits. But no other faith or god is comparable, accept Jesus as your Lord and you have eternal salvation which can never be taken away. No rules, no forced prayers, just one simple act of surrender.
Yes, Atheism is a form of the spirit of the Antichrist, a demonically inspired belief that there is nothing but this physical world, or at least no God (and therefore no Christ aka Antichrist). It is designed to blind a person to the spiritual and not even have them look for God or spiritual ‘reality’. It is a false doctrine, a belief system taught by deceiving spirits. It’s a further lie of the enemy that atheism is not a belief system. It hinders the person from accessing the distant memories of the Love of God and knowledge of God, and acts to discredit anything that may lead the person to God.
Mmmmwwwaahahahahahahaha…
Sounds okay to me. I don’t see religion curing cancer anytime soon, but science has a pretty good shot at it.
I think you may be on to something. The best way for the Antichrist to acheive this would be to have his followers spout nonsense about religion to make it look bad.