Christians worship in churches and their spiritual leaders are called priests. Some people mistakenly believe the bible to be the worlds first ever sacred holy text that survived to this day. However, based on common scholarly beliefs, the following are the oldest religions in the world. The bible is the holy scripture of the christian religion, purporting to.
It was founded by prophet zoroaster in ancient iran approximately 3500 years ago. Notable holy books in order of approximate publication dates. Quran islamic holy books, alquran, the recitation, final testament hadith oral traditions of the words and deeds of muhammad jainism svetambara. During the 5th or 6th dynasties of the old kingdom in ancient egypt, the text was carved on to the walls and within the sarcophagi of the saqqara pyramids. The following is a list of some of the most influential spiritual books, many of which. Ethiopian bible is oldest and most complete on earth. The holy books of world religions sacred texts in world. After only a few hours in some cases less of reading, i could find one or more statements clearly at odds with the facts of history and science. These texts were meant to be for the pharaoh and were reserved for him.
Devotion to the holy face ewtn religious catalogue. Much of the knowledge of pre historic religions have been derived from suppositions, archeological records, and other indirect sources that are subject to debate. The rigveda is believed to have been written down for the first time around the early middle ages. See more ideas about oldest bible, bible and prayer book. Nonetheless, it is one of the oldest religious texts written in an indoeuropean language. Early hinduism was founded over 5,000 years ago in the indus river valley in india. Free traditional catholic books catholic tradition. In search of one of the worlds oldest religions the getty iris. The vedas are the oldest religious scriptures available to us. Of the three religious texts of the three great world religions, the holy bible is the oldest.
Its exact author is unknown but some believe it to be a man named vyasa who may or may not have existed. Feb 24, 20 ps the pyramid texts were spells written on the walls of ancient tombs whereas the question specifically asks about the oldest holy book. Jul 20, 2007 the oldest religious book, that was and still is a science book, is called the book of the law which god himself gave to moses 3500 years ago. Which holy book is the oldest, the bible, the gita, or the quran. The oldest known religious texts are pyramid texts of ancient egypt that date to. Download books, sacred, spiritual texts and pdf ebooks. The earliest texts from this region are extensive, but unfortunately, scholars have yet to find a way to translate the language of the texts. Its a little hilarious to see the answers here about this question almost every person is trying to prove their scriptures are the best just like any other religious question. Dec 04, 2018 this video about top 10 religious holy books in the world. Jul 12, 2005 greetings katthehottie, of the two you mention, hinduism has the older texts approx. The rigveda of hinduism is proposed to have been composed between 17001100 bce2 making it possibly the worlds oldest religious text still in use. Hinduism is an indian religion and dharma, or way of life, widely practiced in the indian subcontinent and parts of southeast asia.
It includes the book of enoch, esdras, buruch and all three books of maccabees, and a host of others that were excommunicated from the kjv. List of world religions and founders, religious books. Hinduism is the oldest of the major world religions. Of all the ancient writings, most scholars agree that the old testament of the bible is the oldest of religious books. Below are links to valuable and timeless catholic texts including those written by great saints and fathers and doctors of the church that you. Jul 16, 2011 rare religious books by the bookworm on july 16, 2011 market analysis, rare religious books after several years of unprecedented growth during the last decade, sales of new books in the religion category have declined significantly. Thought it is more of an epic story than a religious text, the epic of gilgamesh is often cited as a piece of holy literature. The zoroastrian texts zoroastrian texts depict one of the worlds oldest monotheistic religions practiced in iran around 600bc650ce.
Shop for devotion to the holy face at and support the ongoing mission of mother angelica. It describes the dialogue between the lord krishna and prince arjuna. The bhagavad gita was written at some point between 400 bc and 200. Christianity new testamentbible judaism the hebrew bible the torah, the prophets, and the writings buddhism tripitakas. Top 10 must read holy religious books in the world omg top. Religious texts are texts related to a religious tradition. Jan 19, 2017 how old are the religions who founded them their holy book religion is a cultural system of behaviors and practices, world views, sacred texts, holy places, ethics, and societal organisation. The bulk of the human religious experience predates written history. This book contained instructions that were becoming forgotten by the hebrews between the time of noah and moses,thats the main reason moses was picked by god to reestablish these, now once again. Scientists have finally been able to read the oldest biblical text ever found. List of world religions and founders, religious books, place.
The oldest portions of the zoroastrian avesta are believed to have been transmitted orally for centuries before they found written form, and although widely differing dates for gathicavestan. The pyramid texts are known as one of the oldest religious texts in the world. This includes the original words of their founder zarathushtra, preserved in a series of five hymns, called the gathas. Jul, 2010 quran islamic holy books, alquran, the recitation, final testament hadith oral traditions of the words and deeds of muhammad jainism svetambara. Zoroastrianism is one of the worlds oldest monotheistic religions. It is also the only text on the list thats still in use the hymns are dedicated to various deities and phenomena. Another term is holy scripture or sacred scripture, used to denote the texts. As society changed, the jews found that the torah needed to be updated from its original agricultural emphasis. Thanks to technology, and perhaps due to christianitys low status in our modern liberal age, there is a fantastic treasure trove of good, traditional catholic books available for free or nearfree. Written in geez, an ancient dead language of ethiopia, its nearly 800 years older than the king james version and contains 8188 books compared to 66. Allah almighty revealed these holy books on his messengers in order to convey the message of allah to mankind. These texts are taken as indications of the diversity of early christianity. The vedas are a large body of hindu texts originating in ancient india, with its samhita and brahmanas complete before about 800 bce.
Funerary literature these are the oldest texts, and most extensively preserved. The latter represent the basic source of the religion. The oldest religious book, that was and still is a science book, is called the book of the law which god himself gave to moses 3500 years ago. Oct 23, 2018 the four revealed books in islam the books of allah being a muslim it is our belief that allah almighty sent down divine holy books for the guidance of mankind on different prophets. Holy book of worlds oldest divinity temple of ishtar, dove, white, shadrach, nineveh on. While so many religious texts from pagan religions have unfortunately been lost forever, we managed to preserve and restore some texts that predate the bible and you can find some examples below. The oldest religious texts are egyptian from approx.
It was first written at bc through 500 bc and the words were given by god to its writers. Hinduism is the worlds oldest religion, according to many scholars, with roots and customs dating back more than 4,000 years. Written history the age of formal writing is only c. One of the worlds oldest surviving religions, zoroastrianism played an. Zoroastrians believe that there is only one god called ahura mazda wise lord and he created the world. Not to be confused with a holey book, a book that has been eaten by worms, though there is some overlap between the two categories. For jehovahs witnesses the bible the new world translation of the holy scriptures is their preferred translation.
The 2,000yearold scroll has been in the hands of archaeologists for decades. Ahura mazda revealed the truth and teachings through zoroaster. The religious experience of humans predates written history. Scientists finally read the oldest biblical text ever found. Koran or alquran holy book of islam was written in 650 ad. So, i used the facts of history and science to test each of the holy books. Instead, religious texts were inscribed on more permanent media, like tomb walls or stelae. Which holy book is the oldest, the bible, the gita, or the. Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world, and some practitioners and scholars refer to it as sanatana dharma, the eternal tradition, or the eternal way, beyond human history.
Please only submit books that fit this description. It is based on the teachings of jesus christ who lived on the holy land 2000 years ago. What are all the holy books and their religions answers. The ideas and beliefs of the ancients tell us who they were at their very sense of being, what they believed and how they understood the world surrounding them. The holy books of the major world religions are the following. Scholars regard hinduism as a fusion or synthesis 6 note 4. One of the oldest known religious texts is the kesh temple hymn of ancient sumer, a set of inscribed clay.
Composed in vedic sanskrit hymns, the texts constitute the oldest layer of sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of hinduism. Aug 15, 2019 the religious experience of humans predates written history. Are there really any older holy books than the bible as some. The other holy book for the jewish religion is the talmud which includes the mishnah, which means repetition or study and the gemara, which means addition or completion. Could you mention a passage in the holy bible about gods wife,please. Top 10 must read holy religious books in the world bhagavad gita is the most sacred book in the hindu religion. Rare religious books and price history rare books digest. The bhagavad gita was written at some point between 400 bc and 200 ad. Its true that the rigveda is probably the oldest religious text still used in worship, but it is not the worlds oldest book which is still in use. Vedic literature was composed by the knowledgeable pandits or brahmins of that era.
If i want people in other religions to consider reading the bible, then should i be willing to return the favor and read their holy books. The puranas are holy books of hinduism that date back to gupta empire in ancient india. If you would like to read more about codex sinaiticus, please visit the books. The four revealed books in islam the books of allah. One of the oldest known religious texts is the kesh temple hymn of ancient sumer, a set of inscribed clay tablets which scholars typically date around 2600 bce. The majority of the most influential sacred texts in history were written in the ancient world. Ps the pyramid texts were spells written on the walls of ancient tombs whereas the question specifically asks about the oldest holy book. Greetings katthehottie, of the two you mention, hinduism has the older texts approx. The first text of the egyptian book of the dead can be traced back to as early as 3150 bc.
The different books that make up the christian holy scripture, the bible. Jun 28, 2016 written in geez, an ancient dead language of ethiopia, its nearly 800 years older than the king james version and contains 8188 books compared to 66. There are four vedas namely rigveda, yajurveda, samaveda and atharvaveda. Books besides the bible recommended for christian readers, best christian fiction, best nonfiction war books, favorite christian books, a. Scientists finally read the oldest biblical text ever found the. A few years ago, pastor john was asked a question about reading the quran and other such religious books. Sep 22, 2016 scientists have finally been able to read the oldest biblical text ever found.
Nonetheless, it is one of the oldest religious texts written in an. A sefer torah opened for liturgical use in a synagogue service. Christianity is the worlds biggest religion, with about 2. A holy book is a text sacred to a particular religion. This sacred text is divided into two main sections, the old testament and the new testament which are then further divided into various books. Religious texts, also known as scripture, scriptures, holy writ, or holy books, are the texts which various religious traditions consider to be sacred, or central to their religious tradition. One of the oldest known religious texts is the kesh temple hymn of. Download the bible, the holy quran, the mahabharata, and thousands of free pdf ebooks on buddhism, meditation, etc. Rare religious books by the bookworm on july 16, 2011 market analysis, rare religious books after several years of unprecedented growth during the last decade, sales of new books in the religion category have declined significantly. A correct description of the book would be that it contains the oldest surviving complete manuscript of the new testament, together with sections of the old testament and books of the apocrypha. Bible is the holy book which consists of old and new testaments. The epic of gilgamesh from sumer, although only considered by some scholars as a religious text, has origins as early as 2150 bce, and stands as one of the earliest literary works that.
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