The Native American experience of faith - Research Paper Example

Religion and Theology The Native American Experience of Faith Native American faith refers to the spiritualism that could be related to an animate or inanimate object. It could also be related to natural symbolism but believers of this faith do not specify an entity or an object for worshiping. They believe to belong to where they dwell i.e. Earth and the supernatural. The classification of the religious practices of this faith is diverse and intricate. Further dissection of how the experience of their faith is shaped could be discussed.

The Native American Experience of FaithFaith can be defined as the belief in the supernatural or natural entity, which is considered to be superior in power, knowledge and all other aspects. However, the definition of faith has been discussed in various contexts. Although, anthropologists have failed to collect accurate information of the immigration of these people as they started settling in America slowly and gradually. Native American Faith is completely different from other spiritual beliefs as they are supposedly characterized by animism and panentheism (not to be confused with pantheism).

Animism is a belief that all physical objects present in the universe have a soul.Panentheism considers God and the world to be inter-related with the world being in God and God being in the world.The Native American faith stresses strongly on the significance of spirituality; being in a deep-rooted connection with nature and inner-self, whereas Pantheism can be defined as the belief in God being in the world and vice versa. Moving on, the development of Native American religion has taken root in the form of practices such as conducting ceremonies after slaughtering an animal, beliefs in spirits and shamanism.

This religion has derived from Christianity and religions like Longhouse Religion, Waashat Religion, Indian Shaker Religion, Drum Religion, Earth Lodge Religion, Ghost Dances, Bole-Maru Religion, Feather Religion and Peyote Religion are some Native American Religions (Worldreligionday, 2013). Native American Religion doesn’t believe in the distinction of myth and ritual, they believe that rituals bring fulfillment and contentment to their spiritual beliefs. Hence, the importance of rituals in their faith has been greatly emphasized.

In this manner, this faith is completely different from western theological beliefs. As this religion has many tribes, they have their own rituals and spiritual practices which are distinct from other tribes, although, they have many mutual features with other tribes, such as particular dances and songs which have passed on to them through their ancestors. These practices and rituals work as a bridge between their spiritual belief and the supernatural entity.Also, these spiritual practices include the burning of herbs like tobacco and sage,, rain and fertility ceremonies, medicine society, singing and drumming and smoking.

They also believe that by practicing these rituals they can pave the way through to eternal harmony and peace. The disciples of this religion have a wide and completely different view of their spiritual beliefs, which is not an orthodox and worldly view such as “religion” and how people belonging from other religions practice it. They believe that the presence of God doesn’t limit itself to a place; it is present in all aspects of nature. For Native Americans, religion is never kept isolated from their daily lives.

God has synchronization with all their spiritual practices and the way they live. They are also believed to not make distinctions between these regions; the living and the dead, heaven and earth, visible and invisible, past and present. All these conceptual variables or norms do not have any room in their spirituality. Developed mythology says that Native American beliefs perpetuated through sacred narratives; narratives and stories which are based on the symbolism of natural objects such as weather, earth, water, fire, and sky.

They adhere to the belief that their faith is a firm bond between the creator and the created.Moreover, Native American faiths consist of various different particulars and it varies between different cultures. One of the most commonly known cultures is the Inuit or Eskimo culture. In the United States, they mostly inhabit Alaska. They hold the belief that souls exist in all humans and in animals. Because of their geographical location, they rely on hunting as a major means for food and many of their spiritual beliefs center around that.

They believe that there are deities or supreme beings which control the sea animals and the land animals and are responsible for the quantity of animals which are made available for hunting, which depends on whether the tribe has abided by certain taboos. Further to that, there are various different beliefs which can be discussed here briefly. Some Native American tribes believe that there are two separate deities; one is the creator of the world and the other deity is the mythical being which provides means of living to the people.

It is also generally believed that there are spirits which control the things around them such as the weather. Some Native American tribes believe that the animals currently living in the world had human ancestry which is partly why they commonly share a strong respect for animals. Generally, Native American tribes believe in reincarnation after death, and that humans can return as humans or even as animals, however this must not to be taken to mean that they don’t believe in a life after this one, as they believe that souls live on forever.

Shamans are another important part of the Native American faith. Shamans are usually considered to be healers and sometimes the leaders of the tribe. During ceremonies, amongst the beating drums and chanting, the Shamans enter into a trance to search for solutions to various problems inflicting the tribe and it is also believed that spirits can occupy their body. Lastly, another part of their faith is sending young men into wilderness upon reaching puberty and encouraged to practice meditation and fast during their journey, and to find their guardian spirit.

Native American faith is a system of some complex beliefs and its beauty can’t be limited to one paper. To properly get an idea of it, one would have to attend one of their various ceremonies, such as the Sun dance which is one of their most popular rituals!ReferencesWorldreligionday (2013, January 2). Faiths & Beliefs of the native Americans - World Religion Day. Retrieved from http://www.worldreligionday.org/faith/60-faiths-native-beliefs