As long as there were people around, we had certain beliefs.
Even the earliest species of humanoids, had something other species didn't have. They had a larger brain. With that, there was not only a strong means to develop faster - via learning - humans also could develop some room for themselves, in their brains. Humans created ego, plain self. They became aware of their surroundings, in a different way compared to other species.
Of course, in the early days - before we learned to hunt - we were just puny, hairy creatures, that had barely learned to walk. We had figured out, that an upright position - like meerkats - sustains your probability of survival. Furthermore, we had developed hands, with a thumb and all. So going on all fours was no option; we were carrying stuff around...
It wasn't before long we lost our bodily furs; a rolling stone gathers no moss. Whilst on the move, we got naked, and had to cover our bodies. Not out of shame; it was just darn cold, without any clothing. By then, we lived in caves, we discovered fire, and we hunted down small game with sticks and spears. Most of the time, we were hunted ourselves. There were predecessors of tigers, lions, bears, and we were prey. Somehow, it is still a miracle how we ended up on top of the food chain.
What probably saved the human race, is the fact that we - completely against our nomadic nature - started to form tribes, and settlements. A large group can hunt bigger prey - like an elephant - it can sustain a larger settlement, and give security to a larger group of people, with greater diversity; in terms of procreation. Thus: we thrive... By becoming a society - versus a lonely nomadic unit - we became stronger...
This point is probably the most important link in the development of the Human Race. By giving up our individuality, merging in a group, we developed who we are. Living in a society is not just hunting and gathering. We had to become social animals, we had to learn to work together; and not just for ourselves.
Running a society, is a whole new - and different - ballgame, and humans are not particularly good at it. A society needs rules, in order to get along with each other. Thus, a society needs a ruler, to set out those rules. This ruler has to be chosen, this ruler needs priviliges, it needs absolute power. This ruler needs politics, it needs henchmen, to share the responsibilities. Some rulers, even turn to Higher Powers, to keep their followers restrained. For their own good.
In this point of our development as Humans, we probably created Belief. We had to believe in our survival. Being creatures of nature, we already developed a strong awe for Mother Nature. Our planet was a pretty violent place, back then. We needed assurance, we needed protection; we would do anything for that. We even started to believe in our rulers. They would surely know, what was best for us...
From here, it is a small step to Religion; it is just the next step after Belief. Once we start living along believes, it usually turns into some kind of religion. We are living by it, we leave our life in the hands of it. We create entities (gods, or other deïties) to watch over us, we pray, we hope... We create leaders, that will abuse their power, against us... For survival...
It is stunning, how a primitive race can come to this...
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