Ancient Asian Religions

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses religions of ancient Asia. The paper contends that, just as the people and customs of ancient Asia were varied, so too were their religious beliefs. As centralized governments and cities came to power, certain religions became favored over others with the aim of establishing a religious base for rule. The paper focuses on Zoroastrianism and Hinduism. The paper claims that these are two of the oldest religions still in practice today, and their histories mirror the most significant events of the ancient world.

From the Paper:

"Ancient Asia was home to many varied peoples, cultures, and religions. The origins of a large number of the prevalent religions in modern Asia date back millennia before the start of the western calendar and Christianity. A myriad of polytheistic and monotheistic religions possessing extremely detailed forms of worship and world views were born out of similar social conditions. The start of formalized religions coincides with the dawn of civilization, or more specifically, the city. Naturally, the earliest religions took on a number of traditionally held beliefs and customs of the native people and worked them into a more rigorous dogma of one form or another. In addition to standardizing the manner by which people worshipped, these formalized religions--particularly in ancient times--were utilized as a tool for social order and extended power to the ruling parties. In short, religions in ancient Asian societies became matters of state by which all actions of the state could be executed and justified. The specific religious view adopted by a given society reveals greatly the values, morals, and social beliefs ingrained in that society and there are many parallels to be drawn between the numerous religions born out of ancient Asia."

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