This document discusses Aboriginal Australian beliefs and mythology. Some key points discussed include:
- Aboriginal beliefs are organized and view the world as having a transcendent origin, constituting a form of religion.
- Central themes in Aboriginal mythology include the relationships between man and man, man and nature, and man and the transcendent. These themes are explored through religious rites like life-cycle rituals.
- High gods known as Bunjil or Baiame are discussed, who are seen as the creators or fathers that taught proper behavior and will return to care for the dead. Mythology around dreaming and totems that link to the dreaming are also described.
1) God prepared Korea as the nation where the Lord of the Second Advent would be born, but Satan used Japan to occupy Korea for 40 years in an effort to obstruct God's providence.
2) The March 1st 1919 Independence Movement in Korea was both an external patriotic resistance to Japanese occupation and an internal effort to restore the land where the LSA would be born. Yoo Gwan Sun played a key role in this movement through her sacrifice.
3) These providential efforts succeeded, as they established a foundation of blood and sacrifice that Satan had to approve, allowing the Lord of the Second Advent to be born in Korea on January 6th, 1920 despite Satan's opposition.
This document describes a spell being offered called the "Get Us Back Together" spell. It is intended to reunite a couple whose relationship has ended. It claims a psychic will cast the spell on behalf of the client to repair the relationship and get the other person to respond to their pleas. It encourages purchasing an additional item called the "Lust Amulet" to increase the spell's potency. It says the spell is for those who are certain fixing the relationship is most important and their ex is stubborn and refuses to admit fault.
Identifying the Distinguishing Features of Proverbs, Myths & Legend; Philippi...zynica mhorien marcoso
- Ancient Philippine mythology varies among indigenous tribes and includes deities, creation stories, and mythical creatures. Some tribes believed in a single supreme being while others worshipped forest deities.
- Major deities of Tagalog mythology included Bathala the supreme god, Maguayan the sea god, and Lakapati the goddess of fertility. Lesser deities governed domains like the moon, stars, and sun.
- Myths helped explain natural phenomena and cultural practices to ancient Filipinos and some mythical beliefs continue today mixed with Christianity.
Native Hawaiian religion centers around creation stories involving gods becoming personified in nature. There are four main gods - Kū, Lono, Kane, and Kanaloa - as well as demigods like Māui. The gods are seen as taking animal, human, or idol forms and playing a role in people's lives. Worship varies by location but includes ceremonies, prayers, and building temples to appeal to gods related to health, war, farming, and other areas. Priests perform rituals to gain favor with gods and households conduct family worship. Nature is considered sacred space close to the gods.
Native American spirituality emphasizes the connectedness of all things and sees the world as made of living, conscious forces. Dialogue is important for understanding Native culture. Sweat lodges are ceremonial purification rituals led by tribal leaders and meant for cleansing. They allow an intense physical and spiritual connection to be challenged and cleansed of toxins. Native spirituality is not a religion but a way of living connected to all aspects of life.
The Image of the Maize God in Classic Maya Art- The Ideal AesthetCyndi Olsen
This article discusses representations of the Maize God in Classic Maya art and how they reflect ideals of beauty and rulership. It begins by providing background on Maya religion and the important role of the Maize God as the protector of maize, which was central to Maya life. Representations of the Maize God consistently depict him in a completely humanized and idealized form of male beauty. This likely reflected rulers' desires to portray themselves as divine beings. The article analyzes specific artworks and argues they show rulers adopting physical traits and clothing of the Maize God to visually connect themselves to his creative powers and responsibilities of renewing the world. This reinforced the divine status of rulers and social hierarchy. Olmec influences on early
The document provides an overview of Philippine mythology, focusing on ancient Tagalog deities and other mythical figures. It summarizes important deities like Bathala, the supreme god of the Tagalogs; Amanikable, the ill-tempered god of the sea; Idiyanale, the god of animal husbandry and aquaculture; and Lakampati, a hermaphrodite fertility deity. It also discusses goddesses like Mayari, the goddess of the moon; famous diwata like Mariang Makiling, the protector of Mount Makiling; and well-known mythical creatures in Philippine folklore such as the aswang, kapre, and sirena. The document
1) God prepared Korea as the nation where the Lord of the Second Advent would be born, but Satan used Japan to occupy Korea for 40 years in an effort to obstruct God's providence.
2) The March 1st 1919 Independence Movement in Korea was both an external patriotic resistance to Japanese occupation and an internal effort to restore the land where the LSA would be born. Yoo Gwan Sun played a key role in this movement through her sacrifice.
3) These providential efforts succeeded, as they established a foundation of blood and sacrifice that Satan had to approve, allowing the Lord of the Second Advent to be born in Korea on January 6th, 1920 despite Satan's opposition.
This document describes a spell being offered called the "Get Us Back Together" spell. It is intended to reunite a couple whose relationship has ended. It claims a psychic will cast the spell on behalf of the client to repair the relationship and get the other person to respond to their pleas. It encourages purchasing an additional item called the "Lust Amulet" to increase the spell's potency. It says the spell is for those who are certain fixing the relationship is most important and their ex is stubborn and refuses to admit fault.
Identifying the Distinguishing Features of Proverbs, Myths & Legend; Philippi...zynica mhorien marcoso
- Ancient Philippine mythology varies among indigenous tribes and includes deities, creation stories, and mythical creatures. Some tribes believed in a single supreme being while others worshipped forest deities.
- Major deities of Tagalog mythology included Bathala the supreme god, Maguayan the sea god, and Lakapati the goddess of fertility. Lesser deities governed domains like the moon, stars, and sun.
- Myths helped explain natural phenomena and cultural practices to ancient Filipinos and some mythical beliefs continue today mixed with Christianity.
Native Hawaiian religion centers around creation stories involving gods becoming personified in nature. There are four main gods - Kū, Lono, Kane, and Kanaloa - as well as demigods like Māui. The gods are seen as taking animal, human, or idol forms and playing a role in people's lives. Worship varies by location but includes ceremonies, prayers, and building temples to appeal to gods related to health, war, farming, and other areas. Priests perform rituals to gain favor with gods and households conduct family worship. Nature is considered sacred space close to the gods.
Native American spirituality emphasizes the connectedness of all things and sees the world as made of living, conscious forces. Dialogue is important for understanding Native culture. Sweat lodges are ceremonial purification rituals led by tribal leaders and meant for cleansing. They allow an intense physical and spiritual connection to be challenged and cleansed of toxins. Native spirituality is not a religion but a way of living connected to all aspects of life.
The Image of the Maize God in Classic Maya Art- The Ideal AesthetCyndi Olsen
This article discusses representations of the Maize God in Classic Maya art and how they reflect ideals of beauty and rulership. It begins by providing background on Maya religion and the important role of the Maize God as the protector of maize, which was central to Maya life. Representations of the Maize God consistently depict him in a completely humanized and idealized form of male beauty. This likely reflected rulers' desires to portray themselves as divine beings. The article analyzes specific artworks and argues they show rulers adopting physical traits and clothing of the Maize God to visually connect themselves to his creative powers and responsibilities of renewing the world. This reinforced the divine status of rulers and social hierarchy. Olmec influences on early
The document provides an overview of Philippine mythology, focusing on ancient Tagalog deities and other mythical figures. It summarizes important deities like Bathala, the supreme god of the Tagalogs; Amanikable, the ill-tempered god of the sea; Idiyanale, the god of animal husbandry and aquaculture; and Lakampati, a hermaphrodite fertility deity. It also discusses goddesses like Mayari, the goddess of the moon; famous diwata like Mariang Makiling, the protector of Mount Makiling; and well-known mythical creatures in Philippine folklore such as the aswang, kapre, and sirena. The document
Continuation-The Fallacy of Superstition and Idolatry(Spiritual Self)KimberlyLina1
The document discusses various forms of occult practices and idolatry. It describes how natives from around the world sought to appease spirits and viewed natural elements as gods. It warns that any worship besides the one true God is a sin of idolatry. The document then examines specific occult practices like spiritism, fortune telling, and cults. It argues that while some occult activities claim to be helpful or benign, they ultimately derive their power from demonic or satanic sources. Christians must be on guard against false beliefs and worship anything other than God alone.
This document provides an overview of African spirituality from a lecture presentation. It discusses why African spirituality should be studied, outlines three approaches to tradition, and addresses common misconceptions. Key aspects of African spirituality covered include its basis in African culture and religion, monotheism centered around a High God, the role of ancestors and community, and ethical values like ubuntu. The document uses examples and concepts from various African cultures and concludes by emphasizing the importance of a holistic worldview for addressing health issues.
Final Continuation-The Fallacy of Superstition and Idolatry(Spiritual Self)1.KimberlyLina1
1. The document discusses various forms of occult practices such as spiritism, fortune telling, and faith healing.
2. It notes that while some occult practices appear helpful or religious, they actually operate through demonic spirits and powers in violation of Christianity.
3. The document warns that involvement in occult practices can lead people to be psychically enslaved or develop split personalities, and that both practitioners and victims are deceived by the powers of darkness. Christians should have no involvement in occultism and instead rely only on the one true God.
There is a huge error in the thinking of Church caused by some erroneous teaching by popular preachers. What is the role God has for the Jews in His redemption plan? Has the Church 'replaced' Israel? Has God failed in His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? What is the role of the True Israel / True Jew and the Church together in God's redemptive ministry? Read the entire history of God's redemption plan still continuing and will be completed with a huge role by the Messianic Jews and the Church together in the near future. Spiritual warfare history can also be understood from this presentation. Be blessed and be a blessing! Nirmal Nathan, Trichy, India.
Describes how idolatry and paganism infiltrated the Church. Can be used effectively to teach Roman Catholics and Oriental Church members. Includes brief notes on middle eastern, mesopotamian, egyptian, sumerian, greek, Hindu religions and cults
An attempt at understanding Miskito cosmovision and it's relation to traditional healing and medicine. All errors or misinterpretations are mine alone.
This document summarizes key aspects of mythology from ancient Mediterranean civilizations and the Philippines. It describes how mythology from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome explained natural phenomena and shared moral lessons through stories of gods and goddesses. It then discusses some of the most important deities in ancient Tagalog mythology like Bathala, the supreme god, as well as gods and goddesses of fertility, seasons, lost things, the sun and lovers. The document highlights how Philippine mythology varies widely by region but served similar functions to early societies as mythology elsewhere.
The document provides an overview of Philippine mythology and deities from various ethnic groups in the Philippines. It describes beliefs in supreme beings, dieties of nature like the sun, moon, wind and rain. Deities are listed for major ethnic groups like Tagalog, Bicolano, Visayan, as well as many others. The deities govern different domains like forests, mountains, rivers, and agriculture. Belief in these mythical figures remains strong in rural provinces of the Philippines.
The document provides background information on the city of Ephesus in what is now Turkey where the church was situated. It discusses how the Ephesians were originally fascinated with the supernatural and steeped in goddess religion. It describes the temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, located in Ephesus. It notes that Paul brought believers to Ephesus on his missionary journeys and that Timothy later took over the churches in the area. However, over time the Ephesian church lost its "first love" and started adopting teachings of their culture, losing their spiritual passion. The document argues that the modern western church is similarly at risk of losing its first love and adopting false doctrines,
The document summarizes key elements of Philippine mythology including gods, goddesses, and mythical creatures. It describes some of the most important ancient Tagalog deities like Bathala the supreme god, Amanikable the ill-tempered sea god, Idiyanale the god of animals and agriculture. It also mentions goddesses like Mayari the moon goddess, Lakampati the fertility deity, and famous diwatas or nature spirits like Mariang Makiling. The summary concludes with a brief listing of well-known mythical creatures in Philippine folklore such as the manananggal, kapre, and sirena.
St. Augustine searched for meaning and satisfaction in different philosophies and religions but found them lacking until he became Christian. The document discusses arguments for the existence of God, including the argument from divine longing - that humans have an innate desire to know God that must be fulfilled. It provides examples of astronauts and scientists who attributed their work and discoveries to God.
Eternal Gospel and Prodigious Prayers - Osvaldo PolidoroFernando Fernandes
This document provides a summary of the eternal gospel according to the author Osvaldo Polidoro. It discusses the divine essence as omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. It states that all things, including spirit, matter, worlds and humanities will ultimately return to the essential unity with God. It describes the son spirit as emanated sparks that bear divine virtues and must develop them until returning to the divine bosom. It also discusses the vehicle of the soul, or perispirit, that forms for the son spirit to act in the cosmos. Finally, it states that matter is the divine essence in any form and is a tool for the son of God.
This document provides an overview of Philippine mythology, including the pantheon of gods and goddesses as well as mythological creatures. It describes some of the most important deities such as Bathala, the supreme god, as well as other gods of nature, love, war, and more. It explains that before Spanish colonization, indigenous Filipinos adhered to a mixture of animism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. The document also profiles several famous diwatas or mythical creatures from Philippine folklore including Mariang Makiling and the aswang. In summary, it surveys the key figures and beliefs within the diverse traditions of Philippine mythology across different ethnic groups.
The document provides an overview of Philippine mythology, including the pantheon of gods and goddesses as well as mythological creatures. It describes some of the most important deities such as Bathala, the supreme god, and Mayari, the beautiful goddess of the moon. The document also explains that before the arrival of Spanish colonizers, indigenous Filipinos held beliefs that were a mixture of animism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Each ethnic group had its own stories and myths that varied across the islands of the Philippines.
The document summarizes beliefs and practices of African, Hawaiian, Jewish, Christian and Islamic religions. It describes important gods, rituals, places of worship, and core beliefs across these faiths. Key points include African ancestral worship practices and diviners; Hawaiian gods like Pele and rituals like the Makahiki Festival; Jewish beliefs centered around God, the Torah, and sites like the Western Wall; Christian concepts of the Trinity, Baptism, and denominations; and Islamic pillars such as the Shahada and important places in Mecca and Medina. The document provides an overview of the mythology and theology that shaped these religious traditions.
The document discusses what it means to be made in God's image based on passages from Genesis and other Old Testament texts. It describes how the Greeks viewed humanity as having both a divine soul and a mortal body. It then explains how Jesus healed people's brokenness and restored God's image through acts like raising the dead, healing illnesses, and defeating death through his own resurrection. The document discusses the views of thinkers like Plato, Augustine, and Descartes on the relationship between body and soul. It emphasizes that Jesus is the model for true humanity and that through him our embodied lives have significance and purpose.
The biblical gospel writers' good news was about the restoration of shalom, or peace, wholeness, and right relationships. Sin broke this shalom. The document discusses how patriarchy developed as a result of humanity's brokenness but was not part of God's original intentions, and how Jesus' work reversed the effects of the Fall and paved the way for the end of patriarchal systems.
The document discusses the gifts of frankincense and myrrh that were given to baby Jesus by the Magi. It explores the deeper meanings and origins of these gifts from both monotheistic and polytheistic perspectives. Specifically, it notes that frankincense and myrrh have origins in the desert regions and represent the masculine, singular spirituality of monotheism, while the Magi represented the feminine, nature-based polytheism of the east. The giving of these gifts symbolized a meeting of these two worldviews that set the stage for Christianity's development.
Bible Study Series in GCM Upper Room, Muharraq Kingdom of Bahrain. Our Speaker is Dr. Chris Aguilar, Assistant Pastor in our Church JESUS CHRIST I AM THAT I AM Great Commission Ministries International.
The document summarizes key aspects of several religious movements and utopian communities in the United States between the late 18th and mid-19th centuries. It describes the beliefs and practices of Deism, Unitarianism, Methodism, the Second Great Awakening revivalism, Mormonism, and various utopian communities like the Shakers and the Oneida community. It provides biographical details on influential religious figures like Charles Finney, Joseph Smith, and Brigham Young during this period of religious and social change.
INT-244 Topic 7 Animism Folk Religion and African ReligionS Meyer
1) African folk religions are animistic in nature and trace their origins to ancient indigenous beliefs on the continent. They involve belief in a supreme creator God and proliferation of spirits and lesser deities that influence daily life.
2) Common practices include communication with spirits through rituals conducted by healers and shamans. Sacred spaces and objects like fetishes that represent spirits are also part of these traditions.
3) Core beliefs typically involve a creation myth explaining human origins, as well as stories of how sin entered the world through a primordial human act that distanced people from the creator God. Polytheism and worship of multiple nature spirits is now prevalent.
Continuation-The Fallacy of Superstition and Idolatry(Spiritual Self)KimberlyLina1
The document discusses various forms of occult practices and idolatry. It describes how natives from around the world sought to appease spirits and viewed natural elements as gods. It warns that any worship besides the one true God is a sin of idolatry. The document then examines specific occult practices like spiritism, fortune telling, and cults. It argues that while some occult activities claim to be helpful or benign, they ultimately derive their power from demonic or satanic sources. Christians must be on guard against false beliefs and worship anything other than God alone.
This document provides an overview of African spirituality from a lecture presentation. It discusses why African spirituality should be studied, outlines three approaches to tradition, and addresses common misconceptions. Key aspects of African spirituality covered include its basis in African culture and religion, monotheism centered around a High God, the role of ancestors and community, and ethical values like ubuntu. The document uses examples and concepts from various African cultures and concludes by emphasizing the importance of a holistic worldview for addressing health issues.
Final Continuation-The Fallacy of Superstition and Idolatry(Spiritual Self)1.KimberlyLina1
1. The document discusses various forms of occult practices such as spiritism, fortune telling, and faith healing.
2. It notes that while some occult practices appear helpful or religious, they actually operate through demonic spirits and powers in violation of Christianity.
3. The document warns that involvement in occult practices can lead people to be psychically enslaved or develop split personalities, and that both practitioners and victims are deceived by the powers of darkness. Christians should have no involvement in occultism and instead rely only on the one true God.
There is a huge error in the thinking of Church caused by some erroneous teaching by popular preachers. What is the role God has for the Jews in His redemption plan? Has the Church 'replaced' Israel? Has God failed in His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? What is the role of the True Israel / True Jew and the Church together in God's redemptive ministry? Read the entire history of God's redemption plan still continuing and will be completed with a huge role by the Messianic Jews and the Church together in the near future. Spiritual warfare history can also be understood from this presentation. Be blessed and be a blessing! Nirmal Nathan, Trichy, India.
Describes how idolatry and paganism infiltrated the Church. Can be used effectively to teach Roman Catholics and Oriental Church members. Includes brief notes on middle eastern, mesopotamian, egyptian, sumerian, greek, Hindu religions and cults
An attempt at understanding Miskito cosmovision and it's relation to traditional healing and medicine. All errors or misinterpretations are mine alone.
This document summarizes key aspects of mythology from ancient Mediterranean civilizations and the Philippines. It describes how mythology from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome explained natural phenomena and shared moral lessons through stories of gods and goddesses. It then discusses some of the most important deities in ancient Tagalog mythology like Bathala, the supreme god, as well as gods and goddesses of fertility, seasons, lost things, the sun and lovers. The document highlights how Philippine mythology varies widely by region but served similar functions to early societies as mythology elsewhere.
The document provides an overview of Philippine mythology and deities from various ethnic groups in the Philippines. It describes beliefs in supreme beings, dieties of nature like the sun, moon, wind and rain. Deities are listed for major ethnic groups like Tagalog, Bicolano, Visayan, as well as many others. The deities govern different domains like forests, mountains, rivers, and agriculture. Belief in these mythical figures remains strong in rural provinces of the Philippines.
The document provides background information on the city of Ephesus in what is now Turkey where the church was situated. It discusses how the Ephesians were originally fascinated with the supernatural and steeped in goddess religion. It describes the temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, located in Ephesus. It notes that Paul brought believers to Ephesus on his missionary journeys and that Timothy later took over the churches in the area. However, over time the Ephesian church lost its "first love" and started adopting teachings of their culture, losing their spiritual passion. The document argues that the modern western church is similarly at risk of losing its first love and adopting false doctrines,
The document summarizes key elements of Philippine mythology including gods, goddesses, and mythical creatures. It describes some of the most important ancient Tagalog deities like Bathala the supreme god, Amanikable the ill-tempered sea god, Idiyanale the god of animals and agriculture. It also mentions goddesses like Mayari the moon goddess, Lakampati the fertility deity, and famous diwatas or nature spirits like Mariang Makiling. The summary concludes with a brief listing of well-known mythical creatures in Philippine folklore such as the manananggal, kapre, and sirena.
St. Augustine searched for meaning and satisfaction in different philosophies and religions but found them lacking until he became Christian. The document discusses arguments for the existence of God, including the argument from divine longing - that humans have an innate desire to know God that must be fulfilled. It provides examples of astronauts and scientists who attributed their work and discoveries to God.
Eternal Gospel and Prodigious Prayers - Osvaldo PolidoroFernando Fernandes
This document provides a summary of the eternal gospel according to the author Osvaldo Polidoro. It discusses the divine essence as omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. It states that all things, including spirit, matter, worlds and humanities will ultimately return to the essential unity with God. It describes the son spirit as emanated sparks that bear divine virtues and must develop them until returning to the divine bosom. It also discusses the vehicle of the soul, or perispirit, that forms for the son spirit to act in the cosmos. Finally, it states that matter is the divine essence in any form and is a tool for the son of God.
This document provides an overview of Philippine mythology, including the pantheon of gods and goddesses as well as mythological creatures. It describes some of the most important deities such as Bathala, the supreme god, as well as other gods of nature, love, war, and more. It explains that before Spanish colonization, indigenous Filipinos adhered to a mixture of animism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. The document also profiles several famous diwatas or mythical creatures from Philippine folklore including Mariang Makiling and the aswang. In summary, it surveys the key figures and beliefs within the diverse traditions of Philippine mythology across different ethnic groups.
The document provides an overview of Philippine mythology, including the pantheon of gods and goddesses as well as mythological creatures. It describes some of the most important deities such as Bathala, the supreme god, and Mayari, the beautiful goddess of the moon. The document also explains that before the arrival of Spanish colonizers, indigenous Filipinos held beliefs that were a mixture of animism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Each ethnic group had its own stories and myths that varied across the islands of the Philippines.
The document summarizes beliefs and practices of African, Hawaiian, Jewish, Christian and Islamic religions. It describes important gods, rituals, places of worship, and core beliefs across these faiths. Key points include African ancestral worship practices and diviners; Hawaiian gods like Pele and rituals like the Makahiki Festival; Jewish beliefs centered around God, the Torah, and sites like the Western Wall; Christian concepts of the Trinity, Baptism, and denominations; and Islamic pillars such as the Shahada and important places in Mecca and Medina. The document provides an overview of the mythology and theology that shaped these religious traditions.
The document discusses what it means to be made in God's image based on passages from Genesis and other Old Testament texts. It describes how the Greeks viewed humanity as having both a divine soul and a mortal body. It then explains how Jesus healed people's brokenness and restored God's image through acts like raising the dead, healing illnesses, and defeating death through his own resurrection. The document discusses the views of thinkers like Plato, Augustine, and Descartes on the relationship between body and soul. It emphasizes that Jesus is the model for true humanity and that through him our embodied lives have significance and purpose.
The biblical gospel writers' good news was about the restoration of shalom, or peace, wholeness, and right relationships. Sin broke this shalom. The document discusses how patriarchy developed as a result of humanity's brokenness but was not part of God's original intentions, and how Jesus' work reversed the effects of the Fall and paved the way for the end of patriarchal systems.
The document discusses the gifts of frankincense and myrrh that were given to baby Jesus by the Magi. It explores the deeper meanings and origins of these gifts from both monotheistic and polytheistic perspectives. Specifically, it notes that frankincense and myrrh have origins in the desert regions and represent the masculine, singular spirituality of monotheism, while the Magi represented the feminine, nature-based polytheism of the east. The giving of these gifts symbolized a meeting of these two worldviews that set the stage for Christianity's development.
Bible Study Series in GCM Upper Room, Muharraq Kingdom of Bahrain. Our Speaker is Dr. Chris Aguilar, Assistant Pastor in our Church JESUS CHRIST I AM THAT I AM Great Commission Ministries International.
The document summarizes key aspects of several religious movements and utopian communities in the United States between the late 18th and mid-19th centuries. It describes the beliefs and practices of Deism, Unitarianism, Methodism, the Second Great Awakening revivalism, Mormonism, and various utopian communities like the Shakers and the Oneida community. It provides biographical details on influential religious figures like Charles Finney, Joseph Smith, and Brigham Young during this period of religious and social change.
INT-244 Topic 7 Animism Folk Religion and African ReligionS Meyer
1) African folk religions are animistic in nature and trace their origins to ancient indigenous beliefs on the continent. They involve belief in a supreme creator God and proliferation of spirits and lesser deities that influence daily life.
2) Common practices include communication with spirits through rituals conducted by healers and shamans. Sacred spaces and objects like fetishes that represent spirits are also part of these traditions.
3) Core beliefs typically involve a creation myth explaining human origins, as well as stories of how sin entered the world through a primordial human act that distanced people from the creator God. Polytheism and worship of multiple nature spirits is now prevalent.
The document discusses animism, which is the belief that spiritual beings exist in natural objects and phenomena. It provides details on the origins and development of animism according to 19th century anthropologists like Edward Tylor. Key aspects of animism include beliefs in souls, spirits, deities, and the idea that the spiritual and physical worlds intersect. The document also examines African traditional religions, which often incorporate animist beliefs, and discusses common beliefs, rituals, practices, and an example of Vodun from the Dahomey tribe in Benin.
This document examines images of evil across different cultures and time periods. It discusses how symbols like the swastika have different meanings depending on cultural context. It also explores concepts of evil as portrayed in various religious figures, media, and cult leaders. The document presents information on these topics to promote discussion on similarities and differences in cultural perspectives of evil, as well as things that may be universally seen as repugnant.
The document discusses traditional and animistic religions. It notes that while Christianity has been successful in reaching some populations, the number of adherents to traditional ethnic religions is increasing. It explores concepts like spirits, the afterlife, divination and sin within an animistic framework. It also discusses challenges missionaries previously faced in addressing issues in the "excluded middle" domain of daily life and offers suggestions on how Christianity can provide alternatives.
p1.1Continuation-The Fallacy of Superstition and Idolatry(Spiritual Self)KimberlyLina1
1. The document discusses various spiritual and occult practices from around the world such as those of ancient Chaldeans, Greeks, Romans, and African tribes who worshipped nature, heroes, and inanimate objects.
2. It also discusses the sin of idolatry, which occurs when high honors are given to creatures, objects, ideas instead of God alone, in violation of the first commandment.
3. The remainder of the document provides details on various forms of spiritism, fortune-telling, and occult practices that are considered superstitious and idolatrous, such as palm reading, cartomancy, astrology, and more. It contrasts these with genuine Christian beliefs and practices.
Folk religions are localized spiritual expressions of pre-scientific and pre-technological cultures with a deep link to nature and oral tradition. They are characterized by being localized to a particular geography, viewing the world in a holistic sense where the sacred and mundane are interconnected, relying on oral traditions rather than written texts, incorporating rituals, shamanism, animism and other beliefs. When folk religions encounter universal religions, they may die out, be affirmed in a modified form, or actively appropriate elements of the new religion according to their own cultural ways of thinking.
Scientology was created in 1952 by L. Ron Hubbard, who worked on it for 25 years before establishing the first church. It has grown rapidly to become one of the world's fastest growing religions, with over 12,000 churches in 164 countries. According to Scientology's creation myth, 75 million years ago the galactic overlord Xenu brought billions of people to Earth and killed them using H-bombs, and their souls now inhabit our bodies; this teaching is only revealed to large financial contributors. The three main Scientology beliefs are that people are immortal spiritual beings, existence extends beyond one lifetime, and human capabilities are unlimited.
INT-244 Topic 7 Folk Religion, Animism, and New AgeS Meyer
The document outlines the key parts of a topic assignment on religions. It includes sections on demographics, history/biography, beliefs, practices, and reflection. Students are asked to research and present on a religion using academic sources, and include slides covering the above sections along with references. They are also asked to provide a quiz question. The overall assignment asks students to demonstrate their understanding of a religious tradition through detailed analysis and presentation.
INT-244 Topic 7a Animism and New Religious MovementsS Meyer
Animism is the belief that spiritual beings exist in nature and objects and can influence human affairs. Edward Tylor theorized in 1871 that animism was the most basic, primitive form of religion from which other religions evolved. He studied ancient Mexican religions and believed humans developed animist beliefs by attempting to explain dreams, death, and the existence of souls in everything that moves. Common animist practices include rituals to communicate with ancestors and spirits, using fetishes and amulets, and ceremonies to venerate gods. Core themes of animism include beliefs that the spiritual and physical worlds intersect, animate things have souls, animal spirits influence events, and certain places and people can interact with the spiritual world.
This document summarizes and compares acts of religious violence throughout history, including:
- The 9/11 attacks which killed over 2,600 people and led to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
- Christian crusades against Muslims and Jews in the 11th-13th centuries which killed an estimated 900,000 people.
- Wars between Protestants and Catholics in Europe from 1524-1648 which destroyed economies and killed millions.
- The Holocaust in which millions of Jews were killed in Nazi concentration camps solely due to their religion.
- 2002 riots in Gujarat, India where over 790 Muslims were killed in retaliation for an attack on Hindus.
It discusses how all major religions
The document provides an overview of the ReligionFacts "Big Religion Chart", which attempts to summarize and compare the complexities of religions and belief systems in a single comparison chart. It notes that this is an impossible task and is not meant to replace more in-depth study. The chart aims to provide a basic understanding of some unfamiliar groups and allow comparison of core beliefs and practices. It includes a wide range of religious and secular worldviews. The chart lists various religions/belief systems along with their origins, approximate number of adherents, beliefs about God/the universe, views on human purpose and the afterlife, common practices, and key texts.
This document discusses the relationship between religion and environmentalism. It examines nature-based religions of the past like Stoic and Romantic Pantheism. It also looks at religions like Wicca, Jainism, and traditions of Native American tribes. The document explores how environmentalism has taken on aspects of religion with morals, sacred places, and providing meaning. It argues that environmentalism addresses modern alienation by finding the sacred in nature and encouraging engagement through both faith and knowledge.
Native American Spirituality (Chris Verschage)S Meyer
Chiefly, Native Americans believe in a Creator and view all of life as sacred. They do not see time as linear but rather cyclical, like the rhythms of nature. Their creation stories typically involve either an earth diver bringing up land from water or people emerging onto the current world from lower layers. All things have a spirit and are interconnected in a three-tiered cosmos of an upper, middle, and lower world.
The document discusses the origins and growth of Pentecostalism as a religious movement. It originated in the early 20th century with speaking in tongues and other spiritual experiences. A notable early event was the Azusa Street Revival in 1906 Los Angeles, which helped spread Pentecostal beliefs and practices worldwide. Today, over 600 million Christians identify as Pentecostal or Charismatic, making up about a quarter of the global Christian population. Pentecostalism is most prominent in countries like Brazil, the United States, and Nigeria.
TaoismTaoists normally worship privately at home using altars. Hou.docxdeanmtaylor1545
Taoism
Taoists normally worship privately at home using altars. Household worship includes altars for ancestors, home gods (like the Kitchen God discussed earlier), or regional deities. Li represents the sacred rituals associated with ancestor worship; like in other religions, a family’s ancestors react positively and negatively to respect and disrespect.
Public celebrations include Grand Masters (priests) presiding over religious rituals and ceremonies. All facets of the rituals must be flawlessly performed. Four assistants aid the Grand Master when invoking the ancestral spirits; they dance, play music, or read a text the Grand Master enacts. The ritual representation includes the soul ascending to join the ancestors or other deities.
Local priests serve as intermediaries between the natural and supernatural worlds. They function somewhat like spiritual mediums and shamans in that they use a variety of rituals and chants to get in touch with the spirit world and funnel powerful energies down to the human level. By doing so, they seek to help communities heal imbalances in the social Tao brought about by deaths or other calamities.
Priests can marry and have children, and they pass their knowledge on to their eldest sons. They usually work for a fee and are sometimes traveling itinerants.Shinto
Shinto priests or elders manage the community-financed shrines around Japan. The Ise Grand Shrine (Figures 4 and 5) is the most sacred to the culture for its dedication to Amaterasu (the female supreme sun goddess) and Toyouke, the harvest goddess. This most sacred of shrines is rebuilt for preservation purposes every 20 years.
Fig. 4: The Ise Grand Shrine (Ancient History Encyclopedia)Fig. 5: The Ise Grand Shrine (Wu’s Blog)
People honor the kami (spirits) at festivals: Some walk in parades, others impersonate deities, and most people observe the Japanese New Year’s festival. Also, Sumo (wrestling) is rooted in Shinto nationalistic tradition and kami worship.
3. Indigenous Religion in AfricaDeity Distinction
The formation of religion begins with experience. Indigenous religions, also known as traditional or primal religions, are rooted in a supernatural experience with deities, spirits, ancestors, and nature. Although many tribal peoples worship numerous spirits, deities, and ancestors, there exists a distinct, supreme spirit above all others. This Great Spirit (known by various names) can be male, female, or genderless. The Great Mother, for example, represents the giver of all life; for this reason, many tribal communities remain matriarchal as opposed to patriarchal. The Mother spirit can represent birth, goddess, and/or earth.
Worship of deities and ancestors varies from group to group and depends upon the region and historical familial community. A crucial truth in one group may not be the same in another group. So, even though you will encounter similarities between groups—for example, the Great Mother deity—not all of these groups wil.
A Free eBook ~ Valuable LIFE Lessons to Learn ( 5 Sets of Presentations)...OH TEIK BIN
A free eBook comprising 5 sets of PowerPoint presentations of meaningful stories /Inspirational pieces that teach important Dhamma/Life lessons. For reflection and practice to develop the mind to grow in love, compassion and wisdom. The texts are in English and Chinese.
My other free eBooks can be obtained from the following Links:
https://www.slideshare.net/ohteikbin/presentations
https://www.slideshare.net/ohteikbin/documents
Chandra Dev: Unveiling the Mystery of the Moon GodExotic India
Shining brightly in the sky, some days more than others, the Moon in popular culture is a symbol of love, romance, and beauty. The ancient Hindu texts, however, mention the Moon as an intriguing and powerful being, worshiped by sages as Chandra.
The Enchantment and Shadows_ Unveiling the Mysteries of Magic and Black Magic...Phoenix O
This manual will guide you through basic skills and tasks to help you get started with various aspects of Magic. Each section is designed to be easy to follow, with step-by-step instructions.
The Hope of Salvation - Jude 1:24-25 - MessageCole Hartman
Jude gives us hope at the end of a dark letter. In a dark world like today, we need the light of Christ to shine brighter and brighter. Jude shows us where to fix our focus so we can be filled with God's goodness and glory. Join us to explore this incredible passage.
The Vulnerabilities of Individuals Born Under Swati Nakshatra.pdfAstroAnuradha
Individuals born under Swati Nakshatra often exhibit a strong sense of independence and adaptability, yet they may also face vulnerabilities such as indecisiveness and a tendency to be easily swayed by external influences. Their quest for balance and harmony can sometimes lead to inner conflict and a lack of assertiveness. To know more visit: astroanuradha.com
Heartfulness Magazine - June 2024 (Volume 9, Issue 6)heartfulness
Dear readers,
This month we continue with more inspiring talks from the Global Spirituality Mahotsav that was held from March 14 to 17, 2024, at Kanha Shanti Vanam.
We hear from Daaji on lifestyle and yoga in honor of International Day of Yoga, June 21, 2024. We also hear from Professor Bhavani Rao, Dean at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, on spirituality in action, the Venerable BhikkuSanghasena on how to be an ambassador for compassion, Dr. Tony Nader on the Maharishi Effect, Swami Mukundananda on the crossroads of modernization, Tejinder Kaur Basra on the purpose of work, the Venerable GesheDorjiDamdul on the psychology of peace, the Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, KC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on how we are all related, and world-renowned violinist KumareshRajagopalan on the uplifting mysteries of music.
Dr. Prasad Veluthanar shares an Ayurvedic perspective on treating autism, Dr. IchakAdizes helps us navigate disagreements at work, Sravan Banda celebrates World Environment Day by sharing some tips on land restoration, and Sara Bubber tells our children another inspiring story and challenges them with some fun facts and riddles.
Happy reading,
The editors
Trusting God's Providence | Verse: Romans 8: 28-31JL de Belen
Trusting God's Providence.
Providence - God’s active preservation and care over His creation. God is both the Creator and the Sustainer of all things Heb. 1:2-3; Col. 1:17
-God keep His promises.
-God’s general providence is toward all creation
- All things were made through Him
God’s special providence is toward His children.
We may suffer now, but joy can and will come
God can see what we cannot see
The Book of Samuel is a book in the Hebrew Bible, found as two books in the Old Testament. The book is part of the Deuteronomistic history, a series of books that constitute a theological history of the Israelites and that aim to explain God's law for Israel under the guidance of the prophets.
A375 Example Taste the taste of the Lord, the taste of the Lord The taste of...franktsao4
It seems that current missionary work requires spending a lot of money, preparing a lot of materials, and traveling to far away places, so that it feels like missionary work. But what was the result they brought back? It's just a lot of photos of activities, fun eating, drinking and some playing games. And then we have to do the same thing next year, never ending. The church once mentioned that a certain missionary would go to the field where she used to work before the end of his life. It seemed that if she had not gone, no one would be willing to go. The reason why these missionary work is so difficult is that no one obeys God’s words, and the Bible is not the main content during missionary work, because in the eyes of those who do not obey God’s words, the Bible is just words and cannot be connected with life, so Reading out God's words is boring because it doesn't have any life experience, so it cannot be connected with human life. I will give a few examples in the hope that this situation can be changed. A375
Protector & Destroyer: Agni Dev (The Hindu God of Fire)Exotic India
So let us turn the pages of ancient Indian literature and get to know more about Agni, the mighty purifier of all things, worshipped in Indian culture as a God since the Vedic time.
Sanatan Vastu | Experience Great Living | Vastu ExpertSanatan Vastu
Santan Vastu Provides Vedic astrology courses & Vastu remedies, If you are searching Vastu for home, Vastu for kitchen, Vastu for house, Vastu for Office & Factory. Best Vastu in Bahadurgarh. Best Vastu in Delhi NCR
2nd issue of Volume 15. A magazine in urdu language mainly based on spiritual treatment and learning. Many topics on ISLAM, SUFISM, SOCIAL PROBLEMS, SELF HELP, PSYCHOLOGY, HEALTH, SPIRITUAL TREATMENT, Ruqya etc.A very useful magazine for everyone.
1. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Australian Aboriginal beliefs
It was long thought that Aborigines had no religion. “Just
magick.” Superstitious beliefs.
But (1) there are organized beliefs.
But (2) if you view religion as the organization of socio-cultural
activity, in relation to something transcendent, then most of
what Aborigines do is religious.
But (3) if religion is to believe that the world is of transcendent
origin, then the Australian Aboriginal worldview is religious.
(Dreaming.)
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Australian Aboriginal beliefs
Three Central Themes
The relation between…
Man — man.
Man — nature.
Man — the transcendent.
2. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Australian Aboriginal beliefs
Fertility
The three themes diverge around fertility.
Of man.
Of nature.
Procreation and food.
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Australian Aboriginal beliefs
These themes are explored through religious rites. Among the more
important are life-crisis rites.
Life-cycle rituals
Birth.
Puberty (social rebirth).
Death.
3. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Australian High-Gods
Eliade, nos. 1
The time before this
Bunjil lived among the Kulin, in the time before this.
Benign.
Looked like an old man.
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Australian High-Gods
Dreaming (“The time before this”)
“Dream | Blooming 1” by Gavin Bobo (cc-by-sa)
http://flickr.com/photos/2493/525108189/
4. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Australian High-Gods
Dreaming
Not to be confused with nightly dreams.
The eternal dream-time. The spiritual reality.
Something fundamental; that which is truly real. (Cf. Gill!)
Incarnate from dreaming (through mother). [Eliade, nos. 78]
With the initiation rite access is regained. [Eliade, nos. 78]
Returns through the funeral rites. [Eliade, nos. 78]
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Australian High-Gods
Dreaming
Incarnate from dreaming (through mother). [Eliade, nos. 78]
With the initiation rite access is regained. [Eliade, nos. 78]
Returns through the funeral rites. [Eliade, nos. 78]
A totem is a link to dreaming.
Holy is, more or less, that which relates to dreaming.
5. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Australian High-Gods
Eliade, nos. 1
Bunjil taught them how the world works; how one should
behave.
Proper behaviour
Among other things: how to form families.
From different tribes.
Ceremonies brings groups of tribes together.
Yuin Kuringal being an example.
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Australian High-Gods
Eliade, nos. 1
Yuin Kuringal
Initiation rite of boys to men. (Separate rites for women.)
Karangal gathers several tribes; from Manero, Shoalhaven,
Braidwood.
Together they form a group from which a partner is found.
Similar enough. (Culturally.)
Different enough. (Genetically.)
6. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Australian High-Gods
From Howitt, A.W. (1904). The Native Tribes of South-East Australia.
New York, MacMillan and Co. Page 202.
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Australian High-Gods
Eliade, nos. 1
“You Yangs Bunjil geoglyph” (2007) by TheOriginal BicMac (cc-by-sa-2.5)
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:You_Yangs_Bunjil_geoglyph.JPG
7. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Australian High-Gods
Eliade, nos. 1
Bunjil, “Our Father”
“Eagle-Hawk”. (Previous slide.)
His “real name” is seldom used.
More common with Mami-ngata,
our father. (Wurunjery)
Mungan-ngaua. (Kurnai)
Daramulin. (Kuringal-cluster of
tribes)
Or Baiame, the maker. (Kamilaroi)
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Australian High-Gods
Eliade, nos. 1
Bunjil (cont.), “Our Father”
Antropomorphic. (Old man.)
Benign.
Incarnates; has taken human form.
Begets children.
Will return.
Takes care of the dead.
Looks at man from above.
Is everywhere — and in heaven.
(Omnipresent paradox.)
“Ku-ring-gai Chase - petroglyph” by Peter Woodard (public domain)
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ku-ring-gai_Chase_-_petroglyph.jpg
8. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Australian High-Gods
Eliade, nos. 1
“Biamie’s Cave”[sic] av Tammin Wright (cc-by-sa-3.0)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Biamie%27s_Cave.jpg
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
African religion
Common Misconceptions
Ancestral worship Yes. But African religion can’t be reduced to
this.
Superstition Neither more or less than other religions.
Animism Yes. But just a part of a larger whole. As with ancestral
worship.
Magick Yes. But not central. See above.
9. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
African Religion
General
Cosmogony
Universe is created by the divine.
No common view as to how (or by exactly whom).
As the world is created by god, it’s essentially religious.
God is still creating.
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
African Religion
General
Cosmology
Two-part world: the visible (earth) and invisible (heaven).
…or…
Three-part world. Heaven; earth; underworld.
In both cases, the parts are not that separated.
Heaven is on earth.
Levels of existence, not substantially different.
In both cases, the world is ordered, not chaotic.
10. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
African Religion
General: ordered universe
Natural laws, the world is not random. It works in a certain way.
(As the divine intended.)
Moral laws, as stipulated by the divine. For the good of mankind.
So that we shall live happily and harmoniously.
Mystical force, inhabiting the universe.
It’s origin is the divine.
Accessible by some. (Visions, telepathy, clairvoyance,
healing, rainmaking…)
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
African High-Gods
Common traits
Eliade, nos. 2–7
A maker.
Benign.
Omnipotent.
Omniscient.
A bit ‘higher up’; more distanced.
11. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
African High-Gods
Nzambi Mpungu of the Bakongo
Invisible, omnipotent maker.
Lives ‘above’.
Looks upon man, and punishes her.
Doesn’t need worship. Is ‘unreachable’.
Has given rules, which are to be obeyed.
‘Takes away man’ at the hour of death.
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
African High-Gods
Cghene of the Isoko
“Figure,SouthernIsokopeoples,Nigeria,Earlytomid-20thcentury,
Wood”bycliff1066(cc-by)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nostri-imago/2922778845/
12. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
African High-Gods
Cghene of the Isoko
Invisible, omnipotent maker.
Is ‘beyond human comprehension’. (Mysterious are his ways…)
Lives ‘above’.
Sends rain, sun and thunder.
Is called ‘Our Father’, but is sexless.
Sexlessness is actually quite common. But (a) difficult to
fathom from our, cultural point of view; (b) hard even to
express in our language.
Punishes evil; rewards goodness.
No temples; no priests; no worship; no rituals. —But an oyise,
a 2.5m high pole used as an intermediary when communicating
with Cghene. Only used in great need.
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
African High-Gods
Ngai of the Kikuyu
One god; the maker.
Invisible.
Lives ‘above’ and on a mountain. (Omnipresent paradox)
Thunder and lightning are signs of/from him.
Punishes evil; rewards goodness.
Invoked in crisis and life-cycle rites.
Isn’t worshipped in good times. (If all is well, then Ngai must
be happy.)
His name should not be used unnecessarily. (Not used in vain.)
13. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
African High-Gods
Ndjambi of the Herero
“Namibieherero0702a”byYvesPicq(cc-by-sa-3.0)
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Namibie_herero_0702a.
jpg
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
African High-Gods
Ndjambi of the Herero
Lives in heaven — but is everywhere. (Omnipresent paradox)
Benign. Only worshipped in crisis or when giving thanks.
Has both a name that is most holy (Ndjambi); and one that
may be used (Karunga). (Cf. [Jehova/Yahve]/Adonai.1)
1
When reading the Hebrew scripture, and God’s name was written, what was
read aloud was Adonai (“Our Lord”) instead of the actual name, Jehova/Yahve.
God’s real name is too holy to use. In fact, Adonai, too, is by some considered
too holy to use when talking about God outside of ritual purposes, and so they
instead refer to God as HaShem (“The Name”).
14. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Africa and Christianity
Gifford
Three stages
Missionary churches.
Independent African churches (AIC).
Peaked around 1960.
Charismatic churches.
Will be focused on here. Increasing rapidly.
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Africa and Christianity
Charismatic Churches
Five Themes
Worldly success.
Material wealth.
The holy, the supernatural, is everywhere.
Liberation theology.
Demonic influences hinder the success that would naturally be
there.
By removing said influences, success and wealth is achieved.
15. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Africa and Christianity
Charismatic Churches
Fits well with the worldview of traditional, African religion.
Control and success — harvest and animals; children etc.
The spiritual is everywhere. The sacred and the profane are
two sides of a coin, not substantially different.
Religion should explain, predict, and be a tool for controlling
future events.
“Normally” one of Christianity’s weak spots.
“Corrected” through the third wave of charismatic churches.
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Africa and Christianity
Charismatic Churches
The charismatic churches receives converts primarily from other
Christian denominations.
Not a unified group; very varied.
16. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Africa and Christianity
Kenya, statistics
39 million (2009).
22% Kikuyu.
Religious Adherence
83% Christian
11.2% Muslim
2.5% non-religious
1.7% Ethnic religion
50 000 Hindu
Baha’i.
Christian Denominations
47.7% Protestant
23.5% Catholic
621 000 Orthodox
133 000 Quakers
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Africa (1033M): religion
A statistical overview
488 Million Christian (47%)
421 Million Muslim (41%)
109 Million ethnic religious (11%)
6 Million agnostic (0.006%)
3 Million Hindu (0.003%)
2 Million Baha’i (0.002%)
17. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Native American
General
Omnipresent life-force, one name used (Dakota) is Wakan.
Everything has Wakan. Living as well as inanimate objects.
Even phenomena like wind and such.
Belief in spirits.
…in visions.
Medicinmen/shamans.
The three life-crisis: birth; puberty; death.
Much variety between the tribes — of which there are a great
number.
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Native American
General
Religion, is to live.
To live with the divine is to live in creation — as everything
has got Wakan.
To perform rites is to endeepen your relation with creation.
Theological discussion is less interessting — but to breath is to
pray.
Adherents don’t necessarily claim religious adherence — the
culture as a whole, and ways of living, are seen as spiritual.
Cf. Sami religiosity.
Today, most forms of indigenous belief is influenced by Christianity.
18. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
North-American High-Gods
Wakan Tanka of the Dakota Sioux
“IndianchiefSittingBull(1831–1890)”,photoca.1885.Source:United
StatesLibraryofCongress(publicdomain)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:En-chief-sitting-bull.jpg
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
North-American High-Gods
Wakan Tanka of the Dakota Sioux
Every object — animate as well as inanimate — has wakan;
spirit.
Wakan is not born; nor does it die.
You can communicate with wakan.
The sum of all wakan, is Wakan Tanka.
19. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
North-American High-Gods
Gicelĕmû ’kaong of the Lenape/Delaware
“ Lapowinsa, Chief of the Lenape, 1737”, source: Library of Congress, Washington (public domain)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lapowinsa01.jpg
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
North-American High-Gods
Gicelĕmû ’kaong of the Lenape/Delaware
Gicelĕmû ’kaong created the earth through his agents, called
mani ’towuk.
Gave the Creation to the Lenape.
Gicelĕmû ’kaong isn’t worshipped directly.
The mani ’towuk are more easily approached.
The Great Spirit lives in the twelfth heaven — but is
everywhere. (Omnipresent paradox)
Only spoken to during important ceremonies.
Twelve shouts to reach. “—Count to ten before you…”
20. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
High-Gods of the Pacific Ocean
Io of the Maori
“Maorigodsymbols” from J. White, The Ancient History of the Maori
(Government Printer, Wellington: 1887-1891). (public domain)
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maorigodsymbols.jpg
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
High-Gods of the Pacific Ocean
Io of the Maori
Io is a holy name. —The missionaries completely missed him.
Eternal; omniscient; the maker.
No images is made of Io; no sacrifices.
Esoteric? Maybe. Or: the believers didn’t want to inform the
missionaries of their most holy of holies.
Male-dominated? Maybe. Or: was it the missionaries pre-conceived
notions that gave them this idea? In many ways, the Maori
are more gender-neutral than we are. For instance,
women-priests is not uncommon.
21. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Myths of Creation
Virtually all collections of myths contain an account of how the
world came into being.
They fall, more or less, under one of the following motifs:
Ex Nihilo
Earth Diver
Division of the primordial . . . .unity
Division of the primordial . . . .Being
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Cosmogonies
Ex Nihilo
“From nothing.”
Winnebago-tribe (Nebraska)
Our father’s thoughts ⇒ water ⇒ light ⇒ earth ⇒ man’s body ⇒
tongue ⇒ soul ⇒ breath of life.
22. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Cosmogonies
Ex Nihilo
“From nothing.”
Omaha (Nebraska/Iowa)
All was in the mind of Wakonda.
Wakonda, the Maker.
All beings, including man, wandered about as spirits.
They came to earth, which was covered with water.
Suddenly, the ground came to being.
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Cosmogonies
Ex Nihilo
“From nothing.”
Uitoto (Colombia)
In the beginning, all there was, was an illusion.
Illusion came to be through our father’s, Nainema’s, dream.
Nainema, who is only an apparition.
Nainema took hold of the illusion; explored; thought about it’s
being. It was a nothing-ness. Something which did not exist.
N. draws the apparition down and stomps on it. Then he could
rest on the earth this turned into.
He now owned this apparition-earth. He spat so that the forest
could take hold; he lied on the earth and put the skies above.
23. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Cosmogonies
Ex Nihilo
“From nothing.”
Abrahamic
“Let there be light.”
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Cosmogonies
Earth Diver
The primordial water, from which earth is brought.
Maidu (Northern California)
Everything is covered by water.
The turtle A’nōshma surfaces from a six-year long dive, to the
raft.
There’s some soil under his nails.
This soil grows into the world. The raft drifts ashore.
Light is created; trees, and so on.
24. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Cosmogonies
Earth Diver
The primordial water, from which earth is brought.
Yauelmani Yokut (California)
Water everywhere.
A thin tree grows. On it, a nest.
Different animals, eagle being the most prominent.
The first duck fails, diving for earth.
The second fails, but has soil under it’s nails when it floats to
the surface.
The soil is recovered, mixed with seeds.
Eventually, the earth has grown into being. The thin tree now
grows from the earth.
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Cosmogonies
Division of the primordial unity
Division of the primordial unity
Division of heaven and earth.
Division of a formless mass; of chaos.
Division of an cosmic egg.
25. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Cosmogonies
Division of the primordial unity
Polynesia
Ta’aroa, the maker and unmade; his own parent.
Sat in a shell.
There was no heaven, no earth; no water, no stars.
Only darkness.
Ta’aroa breaks the shell, which becomes heaven.
He lies in a new shell, which becomes earth when he walks out
of it.
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Cosmogonies
Division of the primordial unity
Shinto (Japan)
In the beginning, heaven and earth were not separated.
In and Yo were one.
They composed an chaotic mass.
The clearer, purer substance became the sky.
The heavier, more gross substance sank down, became the
earth.
26. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Cosmogonies
Division of the primordial being
A being is, one way or another, divided into pieces.
These pieces will become the world.
The sacrifice can be made with consent (Ymr, Purush…).
Or against the will of the being (Tiamat, for instance).
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Cosmogonies
Division of the primordial being
Mesopotamia (1)
There was nothing, but Apsu and Tiamat.
Both water-deities. Apsu over freshwater; Tiamat over
seawater.
They are mixed, and the first generation of gods are born.
Lahmu and Lahamu. Anshar and Kishar, who begot Anu, who
begot Ea.
Ea was mightier than all his siblings, greatest among the gods.
27. The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Cosmogonies
Division of the primordial being
Mesopotamia (1)
Apsu finds the gods annoying, wants to kill them.
Apsu is murdered by Ea.
Tiamat gets angry, but is killed in battle by Marduk, the son of
Ea.
Marduk cuts Tiamat in half; this creates heaven and earth.
Kingu is said to have misled Tiamat into battle. man is made
of his blood.
(Marduk:) “I will establish a savage, ‘man’ shall be his name. […] [The
gods] imposed on [Kingu] his guilt and severed his blood (vessels). Out of
his blood they fashioned mankind.”
The highest, divine Myths of Creation
Cosmogonies
Different ways of framing creation — different worldviews.
Man made in different ways — is seen having different roles.
Compare with Gill (handout).
What kind of world do we live in, according to the
Mesopotamian myth? What kind of creature is man?
What kind of world do we live in, according to the Christian
myth? What kind of creature is man?