Natives

5 Pages 1163 Words

Native American religion penetrated every aspect of their culture. This makes it difficult for a predominantly white, European, secular society to interpret Native Indian spirituality. There is no single Native American religion, but rather as many religions as there are Indian peoples. Religion and ritual were a function of all activity: from the food quest and other survival-related work to technology, social and political organization, warfare and art. Religion and magic were fused with practical science; for example, prayer was used in conjunction with hunting and fishing techniques, and incantations accompanied effective herbal remedies in the curing of disease. I would like to elucidate on Native American views in relation to their religion. As stated by Lester Kurtz, “In a structurally differentiated society, every institution is given a specialized task; the task of religious institutions is to tend to spiritual and ethical issues” (167). Religion played a prominent role in the interpretation of the universe for the American Indians. It facilitated in the adaptation of human activity to the patters of nature. Indians were traditionally a holistic and reverent people, viewing themselves as extensions of animate and inanimate natural objects.. In addition to this holism, other generalizations can be made in regard to Indian religion. Part of the special intimate relationship with nature involved a sense of kinship with the natural world and the attribution of innate souls and human properties to plants, animals, inanimate objects and natural phenomena. Indian religion generally also involved the belief that the universe is suffused with preternatural forces and powerful spirits. From what tribal populations already know, historians can conclude there are common characteristics that seem to be shared by all of the Native Americans. Although there are many points of contrast, the beliefs of Native Americans are distinguished by ...