Monday, May 25, 2020

Indigenous Religions Essay - 1368 Words

Indigenous Religions of the World What is an ‘indigenous’ religion or belief system? When we hear the term ‘indigenous religion’, what comes to our minds? How do we react internally when those words are mentioned? How do adherents of indigenous religions feel about those outside of their social and cultural circles, who know very little of their beliefs and who understand them even less. And how did the term ‘indigenous’ become associated with various belief systems that, in many cases, preceded most modern religions being practiced today? The term ‘indigenous’ means originating or occurring naturally in a country, region, etc. Indigenous religions do not constitute a â€Å"world religion† in the same way as, Buddhism, Islam or†¦show more content†¦The belief in kinship with creation is widely supported within most indigenous religions. In this way of thinking, there is more importance placed on the concept of â€Å"we† than there is on the concept of â€Å"I†. Here, the family or village is where strong emphasis lies. In many indigenous traditions, developing and maintaining a respectful relationship with spiritual energy is paramount. This concept doesn’t only apply to humans, but also, in many cases to the immediate natural environment as well. The oneness of the body and the land is vital. Many think of themselves as mere ‘caretakers’ of the earth, and nothing more, who has a duty to nurture and preserve it for future generations. Certain animals are seen as spiritual conduits, just as certain trees are seen to impart herbal healing secrets. Another characteristic of an indigenous religion deals with the emphasis placed on the spiritual specialists. The general consensus is that anyone can have personal or direct access to spirits or that which is unseen, yet felt (democratized shamanism). There is no special requirement in most indigenous systems that stipulate ‘who’ can commune or interact with spirits, however, as a general rule, many feel that it is best to leave interactions with spirits to those that have been taught or trained through ritual or purification of some sort. Most indigenous religions are not written down, but based on oralShow MoreRelatedIndigenous Religion Essay1785 Words   |  8 PagesIndigenous religions, full of vibrancy and color, are often misconstrued or written off as primitive. Examples include: Animism, a belief system that stretches back to the earliest human and is still in practice today. It is thought to be a dangerous, shamanistic religious practice that is looked up on negatively. Buddhism, a religion that people believe is practiced only by environmentalists and the â€Å"hippies† of the world. The reality is it is practiced by the majority of East Asia. It has a powerfulRead MoreEssay on Indigenous Religion: Druid Religion672 Words   |  3 PagesThe Druids are a major division of Indigenous Religion and are located in the British Isles and Scotland. The Druids are most commonly associated with the Indigenous Celtic people of Ireland. Druids are known to have existed as far back as 3rd century B.C.E. (History of Britain: Rise and Fall of the Druids) The Druids passed down rituals and history through stories rather than through written text so a lot is still unknown about how they lived. There are still many people in today’s culture who activelyRead MoreThe Indigenous Religions Of The World1244 Words   |  5 PagesThe Indigenous Religions of the World Throughout the world there are many various religions, some very common to you and I. However, there are many religions that are common in several isolated places all around the world in Japan, Australia, and the Americas. 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They often have a common belief that they are apart of nature and it is viewed asRead MoreIndigenous Religions : Native American Indians Essay823 Words   |  4 PagesAround the world, many indigenous religions exist and share their beliefs and culture with other individuals around them. Indigenous religions are unique because in the world today, a lot of people can go back in history and reveal that they came from indigenous people. When examining indigenous religions, there are a variety of cultures within this religion, but specifically looking at the Native American Indian tribes, there were many ways they practiced their culture in order to serve a purposeRead MoreReligious Beliefs And Practices Common Among Indigenous Religions964 Words   |  4 PagesIn what ways might the various beliefs and practices common among indigenous religions relate to definitions of religion as being that which binds back or re-connects people to an underlying and g reater sacred reality? Although western religions have some parallels, indigenous religions are much more interconnected with each other and their sacred reality. After reading this chapter, it is apparent that studies have found there is a greater connection between the people and the earth. WhileRead MoreIndigenous Religions and Their Sacred Reverence Toward Nature2252 Words   |  10 PagesIndigenous Religions and their Sacred Reverence Toward Nature Kimberly Kitterman Barstow Community College Abstract Many indigenous religions and cultures viewed the earth with great respect and reverence. This can be seen through their kinship with the land, their belief in animism, their hunter/hunted relationship, and their origin stories. Indigenous Religions and their Sacred Reverence Toward Nature Most indigenous cultures had a profound respect for their environment. They believed that

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