What Is Animism

Philosophy 12: World Religions

1.What is animism? How does animism function in the religions of indigenous peoples?

Animism is the belief that every single object on the earth has a soul, if not breathing like animal, plant or human then the soul would pass through all other living things and beings. This belief is thought to have started back in the Paleolithic age, but there is no proof. It is believed that this thought that every thing has a soul was mans attempt to answer his questions about sleep, dreams, the stars, death and any other questions he had. Animism is a way for man to make sense of his surroundings and give meaning to everything. It does make Karl Marx’s remark of religion being the opiate of the people understandable and rational.

With indigenous people, it helps to make sense of why they believe and worship what they do. The indigenous people didn’t know how to answer any of their questions so they ended up worshiping everything they could see in an attempt to satisfy a deep longing for understanding. After studying all the different religions it is no wonder why everyone cannot agree on one religion or one God. Indigenous people just like all religions of today including Catholics, Protestants, Buddhist, Islam, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons and every other one only believe in what they have been brought up to believe and don’t know any better. Until someone tells them something different or they themselves decide to look for other explanations they have no choice but to believe in what they were brought up believing. After many years of being raised in one certain belief or religion, most if not all humans have a hard time opening up their minds to the possibility of any other religion or way to believe. Even though to some people all religions except their own is wrong, others search out to answer more questions rather than just have faith in what they have been taught. Indigenous people worship everything and believe everything has...