Oldest religions in the World
Updated on Oct 05 2020
7,000 BC
9,000 years old
1.1B Followers
1. Hinduism
Hinduism does not have any particular founder or a single text, but instead combines several ancient traditions. It is an Indian religion and dharma, or way of life widely practised in the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia. Hinduism is the world's third largest religion.
2,000 BC
4,000 years old
14M Followers
2. Judaism
Judaism is the ethnic religion of the Jewish people, comprising the collective religious, cultural and legal tradition and civilization of the Jewish people.
1,500 BC
3,500 years old
200K Followers
3. Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrians believe in one God called Ahura Mazda and contrary to popular belief are not fire worshippers they believe that fire represents God's light or wisdom ascribed to the teachings of the Iranian speaking spiritual leader Zoroaster.
700 BC
2,700 years old
100M Followers
4. Shintoism
Shintoism or kami-no-michi, is a religion originating from Japan. After Buddhism arrived, many Buddhist elements were mixed into Shinto faiths and traditions, as well as Confucian ones.
600 BC
2,600 years old
500M Followers
5. Buddhism
Buddhism is an Indian religion attributed to the teachings of the Buddha, supposedly born Siddhartha Gautama.
600 BC
2,600 years old
4M Followers
6. Jainism
Jainism traditionally known as Jain Dharma, is an ancient Indian religion and shares similar beliefs to both Hinduism and Buddhism.
600 BC
2,600 years old
6M Followers
7. Confucianism
Confucianism, also known as Ruism, is a system of thought and behavior originating in ancient China.
500 BC
2,500 years old
170M Followers
8. Taoism
Taoism is a philosophical or religious tradition of Chinese origin which emphasises living in harmony with the Dao.
100 CE
1,900 years old
2.4B Followers
9. Christianity
Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Its adherents, known as Christians, believe that Jesus is the Christ, whose coming as the messiah was prophesied in the Hebrew Bible. Christianity is the world's largest religion.
600 CE
1,400 years old
1.9B Followers
10. Islam
Islam is an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion teaching that there is only one God (Allah), and that Muhammad is a messenger of God.