which religion began in the middle east shintoism, hinduism, judaism or buddhism
The religion that began in the Middle East is Judaism. To determine this, you can look at the origins and historical context of each religion:
1. Shintoism: Shintoism is an indigenous religion of Japan and not associated with the Middle East. It emerged in ancient Japan and revolves around the worship of various nature deities and spirits.
2. Hinduism: Hinduism, the oldest religion in the world, originated in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the Indus Valley civilization. It is not native to the Middle East.
3. Buddhism: Buddhism was founded in ancient India by Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha. While it has strong connections with India and other parts of Asia, it did not originate in the Middle East.
4. Judaism: Judaism originated in the Middle East, specifically in the region known as the Levant, which includes modern-day Israel, Palestine, and surrounding areas. It traces its roots back to the teachings and experiences of Abraham, a key figure in Jewish history.
By understanding the historical and geographical backgrounds of these religions, you can identify Judaism as the religion that began in the Middle East.