Teachings and Basics  Animism is the belief that there is a spiritual force within every event or phenomena and that natural objects have a soul or consciousness  Animism is a nature worship  Ancestor Worship

 Animism is the oldest form of belief system in the world dating back to the Paleolithic Era.  Founder- no one is considered the founder  Origin- developed in different parts of the world

Sacred Texts  There is an absence of a written language  The practice of the religion Animism was passed down through Oral Tradition.

Contributions  Biblical worldview has clashed with the worldview of Animism.  (Example: the beginning of times.) (The Great Flood)

Symbol s  There aren't any excusive symbols representing animism

 Worship; should be done regularly  An essential fundamental is the Omens  Traditionally Shamans, a type of priest or spiritual leader, perform sacred rituals.  Practiced Spiritism, Astrology, Divination and Witchcraft  Belief that the gods aren't people, but more of an Energy. -The Energy is something; powerful such as the Universal Mind, the Force, or The Unknown.  Polytheistic Worship, Prayer, Celebrations, and Holidays

Continuing…  The Shaman. -Was the leader in the community and had acknowledgement of the spiritual realm within the physical world.  Shamans were highly respected and valued; could be compared to a Prophet. (Visions and understanding of the world.)  Dance, Rituals, Trance, Preternatural Powers, and shamanic all helped the Shaman to understand the spirit world.

Personal Questions  Higher Power- Ancestors may provide visions to help the morals. - Can severely punish the guilty.  What is the purpose of life?  To fulfill their lives in order to join their ancestors in the afterlife. -The soul may be departed and could wander the earth for the remainder of time.

Personal Questions  In order to achieve afterlife with the ancestors, on earth, one must fulfill their life. -Praying to the gods and ancestors. -Respecting every spirit and having peace among each other.  Afterlife; is based on the actions of one on earth. If one is considered “good” then they will unite with their ancestors in the heavens. -If the person was evil and didn’t fulfill their life, their spirit would be departed; having to roam the earth for eternity.

The ‘Big’ Questions  Animism teaches that there is some kind of spiritual energy or entity that is within every event.  Followers of animism believe the higher power controls every event, natural disaster, or phenomena based on the worship and behavior of the group of followers  Animism teaches that bad things happen because someone or something failed to worship and ancestor or spirit or upset a spirit or ancestor so the something or someone is punished or something bad happens to them

“Spirits”

Fun Facts  232 million followers  4% of the world  Animism holds to a belief that numerous spirits exercise their powers over places where they dwell, such as mountains, streams, and rivers.  Holy Places: Outdoors in nature.  Architecture: Nature  Calendar: No specific calendar for Animism. There is no calendar because it is not a formal religion.

Bibliography  Caswell, Thomas. "Animism." Regents Prep: Global History: World Belief Systems:Animism. N.p., Web. 8 Dec  AP Human Geography, Martin. “Animism.” Martin's APHUG. © December  Himstedt, Daron. "Animism." Liberating Animists. Creation Ministries International in Australia/Canada/NZ/Singapore/South Africa/UK- Europe/USA, n.d. Web. 8 Dec  Guimaraes, Virgilio, and Alan G. Hefner. "Animism." the MYSTICA. N.p., 22 Nov Web. 8 Dec 