Western Religion

Western Religion

Week 1 Assignment

Heather Cooper

How are some features of tribal religion more related to individual needs and others to group needs; some more humanity's involvement with nature and others the destiny of the soul?

After reading Chapter 2, I feel that Indigenous people believe that you should do things for the good of the planet and to help others. They believe that you should not do things for personnel gain. They believe in self sacrifice, for the sake of others. For example: the Sun Dance. This ritual is done twice a year and can only be performed by someone that has had a vision, to do so. You can do this dance to ask forgiveness or for purification. Others perform this dance to ask for blessings for other tribal members. This dance last four days, during this time the dancer consumes no food or water. They believe that their ancestors come back in another form. For example: an eagle or a tree. They also believe that you must respect all living things. Before you kill something, you must ask its permission and for it to forgive you. You must always respect the dead, regardless of what it is. If you fail to ask permission or respect it, you will be harmed. If you ask permission to kill something and it is not granted, you will also be harmed. They believe that if you respect the animal or thing that it will continue to come back to you. They also feel that if you protect the unborn animal, that it will come back the following year for you to kill. As long as you respect your ancestors they will protect you and provide for you and your family.