C.I.M. Outline #37 NATIVE AMERICAN RELIGION (Animism) I. Introduction A. After many years of negative stereotypes from Hollywood movies, Native Americans (formerly North American Indians) are currently riding a crest of popularity. They and their culture are the subject of much discussion in the media, best-selling books, and major motion pictures. B. Reasons for the Current Popularity 1. After reading this outline you will no doubt realize that what we are here describing sounds much like the New Age Movement. That would be perceptive. The current popularity of the NAM is largely responsible for the new interest in NAR. The NAM is a synthesis of eastern pantheism (Hinduism) and nature religions (animism). Neo-paganism is in! 2. Best-selling books in the '70's by Carlos Casteneda (THE TEACHINGS OF DON JUAN: A YAQUI WAY OF KNOWLEDGE) and Theodore Rozak (WHERE THE WASTELAND ENDS) openly advocated nature religions. Casteneda, a Ph.D in Anthropology, actually became a shaman and wrote of his experiences in the spirit world. Note the new best-selling book by Bill Moyers, HEALING AND THE MIND. 3. Current movies like "Dancing with Wolves" and "The Last of the Mohicans" romanticize NAR. Look for more movies in '93. 4. The current administration has openly been called "New Age" by the press. VP Al Gore frequently quotes from NA religious leaders in his book on the environment. C. Those of us who descended from white-European ancestry are indeed indebted to native Americans. A short list of contributions would include: 1. They taught our forefathers how to survive in the wilderness, e.g., the Plymouth Colony. 2. For foods such as: beans, corn, peanuts, peppers, potatoes, squash, and tomatoes. 3. For words such as: canoe, skunk, succotash, and toboggan, as well as hundreds of cities, mountains and rivers having Indian names. 4. Our forefathers borrowed ideas for the formation of our government from the structure of the Iroquois federation. 5. Their art, literature, and music have greatly enriched our own. 6. Other things we have to thank Native Americans for: maple sugar, snow shoes, fertilizing crops, root beer, lacrosse, and sign language. D. The concern of this outline: It is not the current interest and popularity of Native American Peoples that disturbs us. We can all profit from the study of cultures other than our own. Our concern is the romanticism through which mostly white, guilt-ridden American scholars, who disdain anything having to do with the Christian roots of western civilization, are interpreting past history. That would be bad enough, but it does not stop there. The same people are openly pushing Native American beliefs as the religion that can save our decadent society. Note the following quotation from PARADE MAGAZINE (found in some of your Sunday papers) Oct. 11, 1992: "After years of urging Native Americans to take up our ways, however, we may have at last realized that it's time to take up theirs. This is not merely a venture into the exotic. As the year 2000 approaches, we are threatened by an environmental catastrophe and afflicted by spiritual malaise. By providing a different way of looking at the world and what it means to be human, American Indian culture could be our salvation." But can Native American Religion bring us salvation? What are the major tenets of their beliefs? Is it true? Does it correctly represent reality? E. Native American Religion is a religion of animism. Each tribe of course has its distinctive beliefs and practices. However, the major tenets of animism are the same the world over. Animism may be the world's largest religion based on the number of practitioners. II. Definition of Animism A. Animism is a worldview that underlies primal or so- called pagan religions. This does not mean that they are simple. Pagan religions are highly complex interplays of ideas, rituals and liturgies. B. Animism comes from the latin word "animus" which means "spirit". Animism is the belief that all natural life is inhabited by souls of spirits, i.e. trees, rivers, animals, stones, and men. These spirits can exist in a separate state. Animists believe that the spirit is the sole organizing principle of the physical universe. C. Some animistic religions believe in one god that is more powerful than all the rest ("the Great Spirit"). Some even attribute the creation to this god. However, this powerful god is almost invariably seen in a deistic way. In other words, detached from the creation. III. General Outline of Animistic Beliefs A. The Oneness or Connectedness of all Reality Animists believe that reality is all one piece. There is no clear-cut distinction between human beings and animals, between animate and inanimate matter, or spirit and matter. Ultimately, there is a unity to all of life. The cosmos is but a continuum of spirit and matter. Animals may be ancestors of men, people may change into animals, trees and stones may possess souls. The universe is a symbiotic (interdependent) system. Seeing this inter-connectedness, or oneness in nature, is the ultimate religious experience. It may come while meditating alone in the wild, in a dream, or in a religious ceremony. B. Ultimate Reality is spiritual The natural universe is inhabited by countless spiritual beings. These spiritual beings are manifestations of a general life-force. Without this life-force nothing could exist. The true character and power of any object is found in this non-material substance. This includes inanimate objects as well as animate objects. This "spirit stuff" or life-force, can exist in varying concentrations. A great man is said to have a greater concentration of it. The stronger gods (or spirits) have more of it; a strong charm or revered fetish may have more of it. The secret to success, fame, or victory, is to acquire more of this force. This is done by magic of various means. C. There is a Hierarchy of gods The spirits, or gods are usually perceived as being in a hierarchy (e.g. the spirit of the sun is over the moon). They may be embodied in an object or exist as disembodied spirits. Several diverse spirits may also inhabit a single body. For example, the spirit of a bear may be transferred to a leader of a tribe or even the whole tribe. See totemism below. D. The gods of Animism are personal but limited. There is no infinite-personal God. There are at least 5 types of spirits or gods in animism: 1. Those involved in creation. 2. Those involved with responsibilities for the earth, sky, sea, animal life, fire, etc. 3. Departed ancestors. These spirits are of major concern to NA. 4. Evil or mischievous spirits. 5. Spirits of the forest, field, and streams. E. The gods may be either beneficent or malevolent at any given time. There is always the uncertainty that they may change. In general, animists are more concerned with evil spirits than with good. F. The Controllability of spirit power. The spirits can be controlled if only one knows the right formula, makes the right offering, or uses the right incantation. The spirit's power can be used to do either good or evil. Witch doctors, shamans, and sorcerers are professionals who help control the spirit world. Guardian spirits are "spirits" who assist you through life. These are usually attained through initiation ceremonies. G. Evolutionism. Though it is not sophisticated like current scientific evolutionism, it is still a vital component of animistic belief. IV. The Terminology of animism. A. Taboo: acts that are avoided for religious reasons, i.e. not to offend the spirits. Example: to offend the spirits of a sacred stream by crossing it might invite floods. B. Totems: It is what distinguishes tribes and clans. A tribe or clan is unique due to its ancestry. For example, a tribe may believe that it descended from wolves. The spirit of this animal then imbues this group with its special characteristics and this spirit becomes the guardian of the tribe. For a tribe who had its origin in the wolf it then becomes taboo to kill the wolf (see above). Members also cannot marry within their own totem. A totem pole is a carved pole representing a groups' ancestry (a genealogical chart!). C. Sorcerer: One who utilizes the power of the spirits to control his world. One who practices magic. D. Shaman: They are religious leaders, sometimes called medicine men. They have extensive knowledge of the spirit world and are especially known for attempting to cure the sick by manipulating the spirits. E. Fetish: An object with magical powers. Maybe a bone, or tooth of a specific animal, or a special stone. Also called a talisman. F. Prophets: A religious leader who predicts the future. Dreams are an important medium and taken very seriously. While dreaming you are actually in the spirit world (the real world!). G. Priests: Religious leaders who lead large groups in public ceremonies. They go through long periods of formal training. H. Ceremonies: They are of great importance in animistic religions. They are often imitative, a mimicry of nature. V. Critique of Animism. A. The major weakness of animistic religion is that it is basically non-ethical. The goal in this religion is primarily to procure the best advantage in the power struggle of the spirit world. There are no ultimate absolutes other than what the spirits of a clan prefer. These are the mores of the tribe. The spirits are finite and experience the same failures as humans. B. Animism is guilty of worshipping the creature rather than the Creator (Rom 1). It is also humanistic in that the goal is always to get the spirits to do your bidding. C. It is ultimately subjective and irrational. Animists are not generally open to a rational examination of their beliefs. It is the experience that counts. The authority comes from tradition. "My ancestors did this for hundreds of years!" D. Animism leads to fatalism and despair because it provides no answers to the questions of life's meaning and significance, or purpose in history. E. There is no basis for human dignity in animism. Humans are on the same level as all other forms of life. F. It is essentially a religion of demons (idolatry). Missionaries who work on reservations in the American west often speak of the oppressive atmosphere as a result of spirit bondage. G. It is a religion of fear. Alcoholism and suicide are therefore, two main problems which we believe are a direct result of its demonic religion. H. The major point of appeal made by the enthusiasts for this revival of neo-paganism, is the enormous respect Native Americans have for nature, and for protecting the environment. Don't be fooled. Their interest in preserving the ecology is admirable and one where Biblical Christians are in agreement. However, Christians must not succumb to romanticizing nature. It too, is under the curse waiting the final redemption (Rom 8:18ff.). Nature has a malevolent side; it sometimes goes on a rampage and does more environmental damage in hours than mankind does in years. We cannot discern right from wrong by observing nature. This is the naturalistic fallacy. VI. Sharing the Gospel with Native Americans A. Be genuinely interested in their culture and beliefs. Give them respect as God's creatures who are created in God's image. You must win a hearing. Right now they're not too interested in listening to a white person expound his religion. For many NA, white man and his values (culture) are the enemy. We must distance ourselves from the mistakes our ancestors may have made and avoid the false stereotypes. B. Share with them the Biblical truth about creation and the Creator, and what the Bible teaches about the spirits (demons), and how they can be freed from bondage. C. The idea that a Father God loves is an entirely foreign concept to an animist. To them the gods are to be feared and must be placated. Share how Christ, God's son, placated the righteous demands of the Father on the Cross once for all. Christian Information Ministries is a non-profit ministry and is dependent on gifts from God's people in order to operate. If you receive a benefit from our materials would you consider giving a tax-deductible gift to CIM. We suggest $25. a year minimum. Send to: Christian Information Ministries 2050 N. Collins Blvd. #100 Richardson, TX 75080