REL 1000 Chapter : Basic Religions
Document Summary
They are orally communicated traditions that have no record other than information passed down through generations, and archaeological findings that hint at certain aspects of religious life. Animism in nature is the main focus of native american religions. They believe in having relationships with the different beings in nature, along with their ancestral spirits (called ancestor veneration). They also have great fear of the dead. Americans have converted to christianity but in many cases still stick to their ancestral beliefs as well. Basic african religions involve a belief in a high god, but that he is no longer involved in this world. They instead pay more attention and focus to the lesser spirits that were part of his creation. They believe that ancestors communicate with them through dreams and can be helpful or harmful depending on how they are interpreted. Sometimes kings and queens were thought to be divine beings. Sacrifice was a very common practice in many religions.
