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Religion Timeline

(Ancient times - Present)

This timeline highlights significant events and developments in the history of religion, spanning from ancient civilizations to modern day practices and beliefs. Less

Go to: Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Modern Perspectives

Zoroastrianism's Foundation

600 BC - 501 BC

Zoroastrianism found its roots in the teachings of prophet Zoroaster in the 6th century BCE, gathering a following over the centuries.

Image source: Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism's Foundation

Buddhism's Founding

500 BC - 401 BC

Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama in the 5th century BCE, has since garnered a significant following worldwide.

Image source: Buddhism

Buddhism's Founding

Jainism Historical Dating

500 BC - 401 BC

Historians date the Mahavira, a key figure in Jainism, to about the 5th century BCE, placing Parshvanatha in the 8th or 7th century BCE.

Image source: Jainism

Jainism Historical Dating

Introduction of Vajrayana Buddhism

200 - 299

Vajrayana Buddhism first appeared in India in the 3rd century CE, and it has since become a distinct sect with its own practices.

Image source: Vajrayana

Introduction of Vajrayana Buddhism

Emergence of Islam

600 - 699

Islam, founded in the 7th century based on the Quran and the teachings of Muhammad, boasts approximately 1.8 billion followers.

Image source: Islam

Emergence of Islam

Emergence of Sikhism

1400 - 1499

Sikhism, founded on the teachings of Guru Nanak in 15th-century Punjab, has evolved into a prominent panentheistic religion.

Image source: Sikhism

Emergence of Sikhism

Bahá'í Faith Teaching

1800 - 1899

Founded in 19th-century Iran, the Bahá'í Faith teaches the unity of all religious philosophies and accepts prophets from multiple religions.

Image source: Baháʼí Faith

Bahá'í Faith Teaching

Rise of Japanese New Religions

1800 - 1899

Since the 19th century, Japan has witnessed the rise of various new religious movements, reflecting the dynamic religious landscape in the country.

Image source: Japanese new religions

Rise of Japanese New Religions

Establishment of Cao Đài Religion

1926

Cao Đài, a syncretistic, monotheistic religion, was established in Vietnam in 1926, blending multiple religious beliefs.

Image source: Caodaism

Establishment of Cao Đài Religion

Albert Einstein's View on Science and Religion

1940

Albert Einstein expressed in 1940 that while science can ascertain what is, value judgments remain necessary, acknowledging the importance of non-scientific considerations.

Image source: Relationship between religion and science

Albert Einstein's View on Science and Religion

Emergence of Wicca

1954

First popularized in 1954 by Gerald Gardner, Wicca is a neo-pagan religion involving the worship of a God and Goddess.

Image source: Wicca

Emergence of Wicca

Academic Study of Law and Religion

1980

The interdisciplinary study of law and religion began to gain prominence in the 1980s, involving scholars from various fields such as law, political science, religion, and history.

Impact of Religion on Health

1998

Several studies have discovered positive correlations between religious belief and practice and mental and physical health, various dimensions of spirituality playing distinct roles.

Global Religious Identification (2012)

2012

A global poll in 2012 reported that 59% of the world's population identified as religious, with 23% as not religious and 13% as convinced atheists.

Religious Representation in US Congress

2014

As of 2014, Christians comprised 92% of the US Congress, a higher percentage than the general public.

Global Religious Identification (2015)

2015

A follow-up poll in 2015 found that 63% of the globe identified as religious, 22% as not religious, and 11% as convinced atheists.

Global Religious Wealth Distribution

2015

According to a 2015 study, Christians held the largest amount of global wealth, followed by Muslims and Hindus, reflecting religious influence on global economics.

Image source: Religion

Global Religious Wealth Distribution

Ancient Origins

Threskeia in Classical Greece

300 BCE

The term Threskeia was sparsely used in classical Greece, signifying the early recognition of religious practices within the society.

Use of Threskeia in Josephus' Writings

1 CE - 99 CE

The usage of the term Threskeia became more frequent in the writings of Josephus in the 1st century CE, indicating its evolving significance in religious contexts.

Image source: Josephus

Use of Threskeia in Josephus' Writings

Formation of Religious Concepts

Invention of Judaism Concept

1 CE - 99 CE

In the 1st century CE, Josephus used the Greek term ioudaismos (Judaism) as an ethnic term. It was not initially linked to modern abstract concepts of religion.

Image source: Judaism

Invention of Judaism Concept

Religion Concept Emerges

1500 - 1699

The concept of religion started to form in the 16th and 17th centuries, influenced by global events such as the Protestant Reformation and the Age of Exploration.

Image source: History of religion

Religion Concept Emerges

Protestant Reformation

1500 - 1599

The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century saw the separation of Protestantism from the Catholic Church, leading to the development of thousands of denominations.

Image source: Reformation

Protestant Reformation

Concepts of Science and Religion

1600 - 1899

The terms religion and science emerged in the 17th and 19th centuries, reflecting historical shifts in the understanding of these concepts.

Introduction of Eastern Religions in English

1700 - 1899

Terms such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and Confucianism were first introduced in the English language during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Image source: Eastern religions

Introduction of Eastern Religions in English

Christian Invention of Judaism Concept

1800 - 1899

The concept of 'Judaism' was invented by the Christian Church, with Jews beginning to see their ancestral culture as a religion analogous to Christianity in the 19th century.

Spread and Globalization

Debate on Religion Definition

1775 - 1799

Late 18th-century intellectuals such as Friedrich Schleiermacher and Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel debated the definition of religion, prompting diverse interpretations.

Image source: Definition of religion

Debate on Religion Definition

Root of English Word Religion

1800 - 1899

Max Müller in the 19th century traced the root of the English word 'religion' to the Latin word 'religiō', initially meaning reverence for God or divine things.

Academic Practice of Comparative Religion

1800 - 1999

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the academic practice of comparative religion categorized religious belief into philosophically defined categories known as world religions.

Image source: Comparative religion

Academic Practice of Comparative Religion

Introduction of Religion in Japan

1853

The arrival of American warships off the coast of Japan in 1853 forced the country to confront the idea of religion, previously non-existent in their culture.

Image source: Religion in Japan

Introduction of Religion in Japan

Key Facts

  1. Religious practices and beliefs date back to ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, and India.
  2. The rise of major world religions, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism, has had a significant impact on global history and culture.
  3. The Reformation in the 16th century led to major changes within Christianity and the emergence of Protestantism.
  4. The 20th century saw a rise in secularism and the influence of science and technology on religious beliefs and practices.
  5. Religious diversity and religious conflict continue to be important global issues in the modern world.

Source

This Religion timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.

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