8/28/2023

Religious world view

Theology

Taoism

Relationship – with others

P r of. A r n i e l M . I w ay, P h . D. .

Animism
The Oldest religion

Animism
Latin “Anima” – breath, spirit, life
• Objects, places and
creatures all possess a
distinct spiritual essence
• Everything is with a spirit
and alive

1
 8/28/2023

Central Belief Animism

1. No Founder
The 2. Found all over the world (Geographic
supernatural Origin)
exist with us
(Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and
Australia)
The spirits 3. The belief is common mostly in
exist in the traditional societies of Africa, the
natural world Americas, Asia, and Australia

Animism West African Griot

4. No significant Writings
5. Oral tradition of story-telling (oral history)
6. Significant Religious People –
a. Shaman - A person who communicates
with the spiritual world and conducts
rituals
b. Medicine Man/Woman - A healer or a
person who can treat illnesses
c. Griot - A professional storyteller in a
traditional African Animist society. North American Shaman

2
 8/28/2023

Animism Animism
7. Beliefs:
a. each object has its own spirit and that ancestors
watch over the living.
b. Polytheistic - Spirits are found in natural objects
(living and nonliving objects)
c. There is belief in a Supreme Being and in lesser
gods.
d. Obey the gods and follow tradition and you will be
rewarded with good harvests and many healthy
children.
e. Failure to follow traditions would anger the Gods
and result in hardships, crop failure, illness and
death.

Animism
8. Practices:

a. Prayers and ceremonies keep

spirits on your side
b. Use of ceremonial masks as a
way to receive what the
people want or need.

3

Monotheism
• Monotheism: a belief in one God
• The foundation of the Judeo-
Christian-Muslim line of religions
• began with a man named
Abraham in about 2000 BC.
Polytheism
• Polytheism: a belief in multiple
gods
• Originated with Hinduism in about
2500 BC.
• Polytheism was also the religion of
many ancient cultures
• Egypt, Greece and Rome
8/28/2023
Monotheism
Polytheism
Polytheism
• Belief systems: gods in control of all
natural events such as rainfall,
harvests and fertility
• In general, polytheistic cultures
believed in sacrifices to appease their
gods.
• The Greeks and Romans developed
polytheism into a highly structured
pantheon of gods and goddesses.
4
 8/28/2023

Two main categories of religion

Eastern Western
• Polytheistic • Monotheistic
• Focus: seeing • Focus:
(visual Hearing (Holy
symbolism is books are
important) important)
• Life is cyclical • Life is linear
(rebirth) (one life)