There’s a bit of evidence that it’s been around for 5,000 years. It wasn’t a recent thing.
I would also note as a historical matter....that various religions existed in central Europe until after the Roman Empire dissolved, and the Catholic Church appeared on the scene.
“various religions existed in central Europe until after the Roman Empire dissolved, and the Catholic Church appeared on the scene.”
The Teutonic Knights were called in by the Catholics for a crusade to convert by the sword some of my Baltic Prus ancestors, who were reluctant to give up their tree worshipping in exchange for being made subjects of a foreign king.