Following the ancestors' traditions - ancient religions that still exist

4/28/2017

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Society Story: Following the ancestors' traditions - ancient religions that still exist

How much do you know about religion? You've never heard about these ancient religions that are still followed around the world. Don't miss it!

There are so many religions we didn't even hear about. Lots of ancient religions passed away with our ancestors or changed a great bit. Surviving religions were adopted and now hardly resemble their origins. However, to their followers these religions mean a lot, as they preserve the ancestors' traditions.

Asatruarfelagid

The Church called Asatruarfelagid in Iceland is the place where the followers of this religion (about 2400 people) gather. These people worship Thor and Odin and hold different rituals that resemble those of vikings (without blood and sacrificial offering of course).
Today this religion has almost nothing in common with its ancient pagan origin. For the followers, this religion is more about connecting to their culture and ancestors than about believing in ancient myths.

Mari

The Mari are one of the last remaining pagans in the world. They live in Russia and believe in Nature and its forces. When Christianity became the official religion in the country, the Mari's religion was forbidden. Some people continued following the rituals secretly. After the fall of the Soviet Union the Mari got the right to follow their religion.
Nowadays, almost all traditions and rituals of the Mari were somehow changed under the influence of Christianity.

Hellenism (The Return Of The Hellenes)

The religion appeared in 1996 thanks to a philosophy professor named Tryphon Olympios. The followers of it call this religion The Return of the Hellenes. These people believe in ancient Greek Gods and want as many people as possible to follow the religion. For this reason they organize festivals and concerts in honor of the Gods.

Nova Roma

In 1960 the “Roman Traditionalist Movement” appeared in Italy. These people worship the Roman Gods. Now there a lot of people who follow this movement all over the world. For example, in the USA, Such people call themselves Nova Roma. They celebrate ancient Roman holidays and try to follow ancient rituals.

Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism can be called the first monotheistic religion on the Earth. It appeared in the sixth century BC. Now the majority of Zoroastrians live in India and Iran. In general there are about 190000 followers of this religion in the world, but this number is gradually decreasing. The reason of it is that Zoroastrians don't try to convert others to their faith.

Nahua

The Nahuas are the last surviving Aztecs. Their religion today is a mix of different beliefs and rituals. Some of the Nahuas still use herbs, berries and flowers to cure diseases.
These people have some strange traditions too. For example 5 men attached to ropes climb a pole. One of them stands on the top of it and plays the drums. The others jump down and let the ropes spin them around the pole. They make 52 turns around it. This symbolizes the 52-year cycle of the ancient Aztec calendar.

Romuva

Approximately a thousand years ago the Balts lived in modern Lithuania. They worshiped Fire and its forces, built their houses on the high hills where their priests protected an eternally burning fire. They also kept eternal fire alive in sacred hearths in their houses.
Today, Romuva still exist in Lithuania and now recognized as a “non-traditional religion” of the country. It's also gradually spreading around the globe.

Did you know about these religions? What do you think about them? Share your opinion in the comments below.

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57 Comments

Minoo Patel

Zoraster ( Zarthustra ) was born in Ancient Persia ( iran )in 600 BC ! He converted the Ruler, Hence ZORASTRIANISM became the National religion of the Persian Empire ! In the 5th century Arabs Invaded, Persia, Forced ISLAM onto the Persians ! A band of few Zorastrians, Fled to the Hills, and one set ,took to the Sea and Landed in SANJAN , a Port in Gujarat , INDIA ! The three Kings/Maggi, (wise men ) in the Christmas Story were Zorastrian Priests who Predicted the Place/Time of Birth of CHRIST ! The Ones who landed in India ARE called PARSEES, and they have Continued their Worship,Uninterrupted for almost 2400 yrs !Fire is Considered sacred, and aFire is Tended 24/7- 365 Days Uninterrupted !in the Sanctum Sanctorum of every Zorastrian Temple ! The Parsees flourished,in India, and Though constituted only .0001 (miniscule Fraction) 1,30,000 out of a Population of 1.3 Billion, they Controlled apprx 8 % of the total Wealth !Many Parsees, in Modern Times, Migrated to Different Parts of the World, and Though miniscule in Numbers, keep their Faith alive till this Day !

Ian MacBrown

Its interesting how people still believe in gods these days "just in case".

Minoo Patel

UNESCO has Declared Parsees as an Endangered People ! Persepolis in Iran is a Heritage Site, Of Zorastrian Times ! in Iran today, a very small Band of Zorastrians (a few Thousand ) have Survived,till today, who Still Carry on the Faith in 98 % Islamic Iran !It is rumoured that Zorastrian Sects Still Survive in Parts of Central Asia like Azerbaijan,Etc ! A number of Them are Found in (City) YEZAD, Iran, thats how Some sects are Called Yezadis, Who are the Target Of ISIS !

Peter Ferguson

I like reading about religions but I am still an atheist

Al Sider

Zoroastrianism: began in 600 BC, supposedly, according to what is posted, It began the Monotheistic Religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This Hypothesis is Inaccurate! Judaism was the FIRST Monotheistic Religion, having begun 3000 BC or earlier. This ONE Religion gave way to Other religions, Such as Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Islam. Abraham. the father of All of these religions, lived about 3500 BC. The Promise made to Abraham, was Given to Isaac NOT Ishmael, After Isaac, the Promise was given to Jacob, NOT to Esau. With Jacob, his son Joseph, sold into Egypt by his brothers. 400 years in captivity in Egypt and did NOT build the pyramids, but made mud bricks. Then Moses came on the scene and recorded the History of the Hebrew people, from Adam up until the Death of Moses. To say that Zoroastrianism is older than Judaism is a blatant LIE!

Satish Chandran

Dravidians,i.e. South Indians believe in the Deity Marie (Amman).

Marian Spitzig

Zoroastrianism was in a comparative religions text I took in college.

Ellen Sheehan

Considering the age of Zoroastrianism, and its influence on Judaism,Christianity, Islam and even Buddhism, it seems odd to include it with some of these newcomers. Several of those named are also in a very small region. Zoroastrianism had a wide influence. I agree it’s small due to its not proselytizing. How refreshing is that! Constant bombardment by religious organizations that blatantly disregard their own ‘beliefs’ has reached ridiculous levels.

Wayne Roberts

Wayne Roberts, Statistics prove your point. Majority of the prison population is religious. Majority of scientists are atheists.

saratoga

I have known about nahua and others in Mexico Toltec

Wayne Roberts

Janice Marler, Calling God him is evidence that god was created in mans image! An eternal god has no need to procreate so therefore has no gender!

Caren Rounthwaite

Currently, Judaism is the earliest known monotheistic religion.

tdelisi

From the answer that was provided, Zoroastrianism is from the 6th Century BCE. I learned In catholic school, many years ago that Judaism is older than this, so wouldn’t it be considered an older monotheistic religion?