Human Relationships with the Natural World
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Human relationships with nature are important in indigenous religions because many believe in animism, where everything is alive. Animism is part of reality. Everything in the world has a purpose and a soul. For this reason all things should be treated with respect throughout its existence. Ethnic restraint also contributes to human relationship with nature, where one is expected to take only what one needs. Lets take a cow for example, there is a proper way to kill it and in doing so it must not suffer. In addition, all the parts of the cow will have a purpose, for one to be eaten, other parts possibly used for religious purposes (sacrifice).
Sacred Time and Sacred Place
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Sacred time and sacred place are essential for many indigenous religions. Sacred spaces is a doorway trough which the "other world" of gods and ancestors contact us and we contact them.
Sacred space can be constructed through trees, temples, buildings, an in an open space. For example, The Mayans constructed pyramids, mainly in Central America, to praise their higher deities and gods; they scarified lives and ripped out hearts to offer their gods.
Sacred space can be constructed through trees, temples, buildings, an in an open space. For example, The Mayans constructed pyramids, mainly in Central America, to praise their higher deities and gods; they scarified lives and ripped out hearts to offer their gods.
Respect for Origins, Gods, and Ancestors
Origins
Origins are respected in ingenious religions. Origins are important and respected because they explain how a religion came to be. Most origins are told through stories that are recited or enacted through ritual and dance. Some origin stories tell how the world originates from a supernatural realm.
Gods
A Higher God and lesser deities in indigenous religions are superior, wise, benevolent, and/or creator of the world. They are important because they can oversee a particular area of life.
Ancestors
All across indigenous religions make few distinctions between gods and ancestors, both are quite important. Ancestor’s spirits must be treated well out of love as well as respect for their power. The Navajo, a native religion, on the other hand keep distance from spirits of the dead out of fear.
Origins are respected in ingenious religions. Origins are important and respected because they explain how a religion came to be. Most origins are told through stories that are recited or enacted through ritual and dance. Some origin stories tell how the world originates from a supernatural realm.
Gods
A Higher God and lesser deities in indigenous religions are superior, wise, benevolent, and/or creator of the world. They are important because they can oversee a particular area of life.
Ancestors
All across indigenous religions make few distinctions between gods and ancestors, both are quite important. Ancestor’s spirits must be treated well out of love as well as respect for their power. The Navajo, a native religion, on the other hand keep distance from spirits of the dead out of fear.
Reference
Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World's Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. Sixth ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2012. Print
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