Who began the first hospital(s)? The church and/followers of Jesus Christ?

It's a toss up between the muslims in 705AD and the egyptians in 872AD. Treating soldiers and the general public (who could afford it) had nothing to do with religion. It was a matter of need.

Hi Tickle
What is your source? Wikipedia says: In history, however, they were often founded and funded by religious orders or charitable individuals and leaders.

Source was wikepedia in 'early examples'. I googled 'early hospitals'. Wikepedia was the first choice. You just read the first or second paragraph. You should have gone further and clicked on some of the links within.

Of course, they would have to be funded by some kind of charitable organizations, even then.

Of course we all realise that Wikepedia is built by users and not a real valid sourse for any research??

There is no mention of hospitals in the bible,

As a matter of fact, their (wikepedia) research material is all documented at the end of the article.

Wikipedia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It is only as good as the information anyone can enter.
Documentation may or may not be valid it is only placed there by members of the community and not validated except by other community members who may wish to.

You or I could have easily added other information to it.

Without other double check while we all use it from time to time it is less than a valid place to get debatable information.

In this case, the references seem substantive. However, Rev Chris should be aware of potential issues with Wikipedia, especially on controversial subjects This subject really doesn't seem all that controversial, but it wouldn't hurt to actually find some of the references and cross check the information.

I would point out, however, that there is no reference in the Wiki to what might have gone on in China or in the Indian sub-continent - both of which had substantial civilizations early on.