Essay On Native American Religion

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Religious Influences and Spiritual Rituals of Native Americans In the American Indian culture, the religion and tradition was generally based on Animism. Animism is based the belief that all-natural things in our universe has a soul or spirit. This belief does limit the soul/spirit to just mankind but in all things including, weather, inanimate objects such as mountains caves and river or creeks. All things have a soul or spirit. One will also hear reference to “The Great Spirit”. Many Native American Indians believe that the Great Spirit is the supreme being and/or the creator of life itself as well as all things seen and unseen. In the Native American culture, the people greatly honor the elders, the family and their spiritual beliefs. They believe that any sickness or problem is caused by an in balance between the sick person and the spirit world. In addition to family and elders Shaman or Medicine men are very influential in the sick person’s life. Shaman and Medicine men are the mediums between the spirit world and the natural …show more content…

Many ceremonies that are performed to so respect and honor to those spirits. Again, the Shaman or Medicine Man are called upon for guidance and help in these ceremonies and practices. The Native American people look at life with a broader view than health professionals. The spiritual belief includes full ideologies of life including, physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional things. Native Americans tend to be more holistic on dealing with sickness. So when a sickness arises in a person the elders, shaman, medicine man, incorporate traditional healing practices into the treatment and wellness of the sick person. There are ceremonies and rituals that the Native American people perform to peruse healing for the sick