What are the differences between civilized religion and animism?
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An adventure of mind and spirit
What are the differences between civilized religion and animism?
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Mac's Adventure
Priests, approach their god through literacy.
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Your question is a rude one. Perhaps the religions which have committed generations of atrocity, cultural destruction, and created oppressive power regimes throughout the world are the “uncivilized” ones? Hmm? I think the word you are looking for is “organized.”
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Hi, Thank you for engaging. I didn’t realize this blog was open to the public. This question comes from reading the books Ishmael & The Story of B by Daniel Quinn for a class. In his understanding of civilization, the religions match the shape of the culture. So animistic religions are deeply rooted and connected to the earth, the spiritual world, and life itself. Where the “civilized” religions are more deeply attached to what civilization find important – material gain, competing for resources, and like you noted “atrocity, cultural destruction,” and “oppressive power regimes.”
Does that frame the question differently – so it seems less rude?
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Yes, in that context makes the question more sense. I think one the biggest differences is in the need to control others. Animistic religions don’t typically proselytize and because they’re heavily influenced by location and geographical icons, people from one region/area with a particular set of beliefs don’t have to wrestle with weather their beliefs are right or wrong when they go to a new place…this new place has it’s own set of Spirits to consider. In this way animists tend to be more flexible when it comes to the variety relationships that people can have with the Others where more structured religions cannot. Anyway, have fun with your class! Sorry for crashing the party! lol
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You are very knowledgeable about animism. The other book we are reading is Malidoma Patrice Some’s book: Of Water and the Spirit. I think you will truly find it insightful if you haven’t read it. No worries about the crash! I’m grateful to know this knowledge is alive in the world.
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