To recap.... Looking at what has been left behind by ancient cultures, it would seem that "in the beginning" it was fear of the results of natural happenings that led Man to think that things were "controlled" by some "supernatural" beings who should be "kept sweet" so that things didn't happen. When they did anyway, these supernatural beings had to be placated or appeased in some way and Man had to make amends for "annoying" them.

Before long images and/or figures were created to represent these beings and Man made offerings or conducted rituals before them. Certainly, there were many different cultures each with their own vision of which beings controlled what.

Jewish people began to collect old traditional "stories" together and eventually wrote down what had previously only been "transmitted" orally. Gradually things leaned towards "god", one god. Moses then stirred the pot telling everyone that what he was saying was the "word of god".

The people of Sumer had their own version of Celestial beings and so did the Egyptians. Later on, the Greeks and the Romans had their own collections of gods too.

What was going on "religion-wise" in Africa and the Far East has, as far as I can see, little to do with creating a widespread religion beyond their own area until much later.

Meanwhile, back in the Middle East, the Jewish religion had taken hold until along comes a decent sort of chap, born, lived and died a Jew, Jesus Christ who, unfortunately for him, caused so much trouble for those in power at the time that the only way they could see their way clear to deal with him was to kill the poor chap as an example to others.

He'd gained a following and his followers spread his word which was eventually written down (as best it was remembered) along with additions by loyal followers. Over centuaries, things were altered and revised, things omitted and others added. Things muddled along until just after 1600 when an English King gave his name to an "Authorised" version of the Christian Bible which eventually carried his name the King James Version.

Note, it's a version? That implies that there had been other versions?

All the while, the Jewish people had been getting along OK with their version of events and let the Christians get on with things.

Just after the middle of the first millenium AD (the CE if you prefer?) along comes a chap who doesn't care for either the Jewish or the Christian way of believing/conducting things so picks and chooses bits from both cultures and invents a lot of his own saying that what he said was the "word of god" which was gradually "revealed" to him over 23 years and everyone should follow his words.

Now this chap didn't write anything down because he was illiterate, and at times said one thing and at others, the opposite. It was only written down after his death by others who "remembered" what he'd said...... Some years later, another chap comes along and writes the "official version" and orders all previous writings to be burned. (As a side note, that implies that the writings were on paper or parchment?).

Now then, it seems that according to what is known so far is that one thing led to another and as ever, not everyone agreed so some remained within the parent religion with side-shoots while others swanned off and started afresh but keeping what bits of the parent religion(s) they agreed with.

Now all of them are still fearful of natural happenings and insist that their followers abide by what's ruled "right" to apease god so they're not stricken with some disaster or other. When they are, it's explained away by saying that god must have been displeased in some way and in future, their followers should stick more closely to "the word of god".....

Heck, we're back to droughts, floods and a bolt from the Blue again? Nothing changes?