The first monotheistic religion is widely believed to be Zoroastrianism, which emerged in ancient Persia around the 6th century BCE. Founded by the prophet Zoroaster, this religion centers around the worship of a single god named Ahura Mazda.
Zoroastrianism introduced concepts such as the dichotomy between good and evil, and the importance of individual choice and morality. Unlike polytheistic religions that worship multiple gods, Zoroastrians focus on a singular divine entity, which set the stage for later monotheistic faiths like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
While there are other candidates for early monotheistic beliefs, such as Atenism in ancient Egypt, Zoroastrianism is generally recognized as the first organized monotheistic religion due to its systematic theology and influence on subsequent religions.