World Religions

Introduction to World Religions Study Guide

©2018 Achieve Page 9 of 96 1.4 Origins of Religion Religion originated in different places, independent of one another, all over the world. In several parts of the world (Americas and Africa), religion was an oral tradition rather than a written one. Many of the religions that were developed in these areas practiced beliefs, such as animism. Animism is the belief that plants and other inanimate objects have a soul. They also practiced polytheism and totemism. Totemism is the belief that humans have a relationship with a spirit being or totem. That spirit being can be an animal or a plant. Whereas polytheism is the belief in many gods, some polytheistic beliefs hold that there is one major god with several demi-gods. In East Asia, religions honor ancestors, nature, and polytheism. The major religions are Taoism, Confucianism, and Shinto. In India, religion is based on a group of deities and reincarnation. Religions from India include Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. These religions teach that there is a non-intervening, distant god(s) that does not provide directly for salvation. The religions of India teach reincarnation in cyclical time; all individuals have to be reincarnated at least once. Religions originating in the Middle East are Judaism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and Baha’i. These religions have sacred books, and rather than cyclical time, they are based on linear time. A strong disbelief in reincarnation exists. There is a single god who does intervene in human affairs, but provides personal salvation to followers. 1.5 Religious Theories Animistic Theory Animistic theory holds the belief that all things have a spirit or a soul; this includes animals, plants, rivers, mountains, the sun, the moon, and stars. These spirits or souls can be helpful to humans or they can be harmful. Animists believe that all spirits must be appeased and worshipped. Worship requires sacrifices, prayers, and dancing. The goal is for the spirit to bless the worshiper’s crops, fertility, and health, and to protect them from harm. Edward Tylor (1832-1917) developed the current working animistic theory. Tylor was an anthropologist who studied primitive cultures and it is here that he noted the practice of animism. Records of animism date back to the Israelites and their practice of idol worship. Closely akin to Animistic Theory is Max Muller’s Theory of Nature Worship. Nature Worship Theory Max Muller (1823-1900) was a 19 th -century philosopher who developed the theory of nature worship. Much like Tylor’s coining of the phrase “Animistic Theory”, Muller noted that worship of nature had its origins in the earliest of religions practices. While both theories place heavy emphasis on nature and a spiritual component, Muller held that the early Vedic gods [Agni (air), Vayu (sun), and Surya (fire)] were the forces of nature that were worshipped. This theory is based on Vedas, the oldest document of its kind. The written text cannot be empirically dated to an exact period, but it is believed to have been written prior to the time of Homer the Poet (850 BC).