ANTH 201 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Animism, Christian Cross
Document Summary
A social institution characterized by sacred stores; symbols and symbolism; Religions date back to the beginning of human species. Eb tylot, one of founders of anthro saw religion as beginning with animism, the notion that all objects living and non living have a spirit. Explains aspects of the physical and social environment. A system of beliefs that deal with the fundamental questions of life. Sacred stories and rituals provide a rationale for the present social order. Ritual creates an atmosphere in which people experience their common identify in emotionally moving way. Stories of historic events, heroes, gods, spirits, and the origins of all things. Have a sacred power that is evoked by telling them or acting them out ritually. Certain patterns of religious behavior are extremely widespread, if not universal. Religious symbols are multivalent, they include many different and sometimes contradictory meanings into a single word, idea or object.
