Does it not stike many of you how religions stronghold in the western hemisphere(Christianity, Islam and Judiasm) originated around the oldest civilizations in the mideast. And that religion moved with intelligence northward as human expansion moved north. In its path, old belief systems were wiped out, as is the thinking of Aboriginal and Native American beliefs.
Do we all believe that old religion never existed in the mideast?
Paganism lead into Judiasm which branched of into Islam and also branched of into Christianity.
I'd bet that aboriginal type civilizations existed in the Middle East around the Agricultural Revolution. But eventually, the religions did form, seemingly on top of each other, much like you described. But remember that Islam recognized Jesus as a Prohpet of God. Somewhat important to note, and of course Islam came some 700 years after Christ.
Sounds plausable, but don't you think the Hebrews had a creation account before their captivity?
Yes, I do. They are monotheistic, after all. But there is so much evidence that they heard the Babylonian's "myths" and intrepreted them in terms of their own religion.
One of James Micheners' novels, well researched as per normal, covers this in agonozing detail. I believe the name of it is "The Source" it is typical Michener, heavy on detail and background wrapped around a story line to keep you interested.
Judaism, Christianity and Islaam are but three of the religions of the modern world and encompass only about 30-40% of the worlds population, most of the rest pre-date even Judaism by centuries.
Evolution of religion?
