1

Outlook On Religion

Student Name

Professors Name

Course

Date
 2

My outlook on religion

In this rapidly evolving world, religion remains a captivating force that shapes cultures,

values, and beliefs globally. While the term "religion" encompasses a wide range of practices, a

comprehensive definition should acknowledge its fundamental purpose: to bridge the gap

between humanity and the realm of spirituality, meaning, and purpose. At its core, religion is a

structured system of beliefs, practices, and rituals that serve several crucial functions.

Religion provides a framework for understanding the universe and our place within it. This

framework can take various forms, from belief in a supreme being or multiple deities to

reverence for a universal life force. Regardless of its specific form, this element of religion offers

a sense of order and meaning to existence. For example, in traditional Hawaiian religion, the

volcano goddess Pele is venerated as the creator of the Hawaiian Islands (Molloy, 2021). The

volcanic landscape becomes a sacred space imbued with spiritual significance, representing the

ongoing creation and destruction that shapes the physical world(Molloy, 2021).

Moreover, religion serves as a moral compass, guiding ethical behavior and social

interactions. Religious teachings often provide a code of conduct, promoting values like

compassion, honesty, and justice. This moral guidance shapes individuals and communities,

fostering harmonious coexistence. A striking example can be found in Native American religions,

where strong taboos against adultery and stealing within the tribal unit are enforced through

shame, warnings, shunning, and expulsion. These measures, often administered by a tribal

council, emphasize the importance of harmonious relationships within the community(Molloy,

2021).
 3

Furthermore, religion fosters a sense of community and belonging. Those who agree with

each other and practice the same things feel they belong to the same fraternity; this creates a

support base and togetherness. Many modern tribal religions are very connected with a place and

their prehistory, and in those religions, the feeling of belonging usually can be pretty intense.

This link is evidenced by the Maori people of New Zealand, who are at the moment experiencing

a cultural renaissance. They are also reviving cultural customs such as tattooing, dancing,

constructing a canoe, or carving wood. All of the above activities are closely linked to their

beliefs in the spiritual realm (Molloy, 2021). It also assists them to feel more English and be a

part of their heritage.

Lastly, traditions and practices are used by religion to connect with the holy. Rituals like

praying, meditation, gifts, celebrations, and pilgrimages can help people experience the

supernatural and go beyond the every day (Phoebe, 2004). Rituals in indigenous faiths often

involve interacting directly with nature. This is because people believe that nature is holy and

that all living things are linked. This kind of rite is evident in the Lakota vision quest (Molloy,

2021). As part of this rite of passage, people fast for a long time and look for spiritual direction

in nature. They do this to show that they value the spiritual power of nature.

The indigenous religious system offers a rich understanding of the nature of religion.

These traditions, which are individual experiences within a given milieu, may also be helpful in

understanding the nature of religious experience. One common characteristic of indigenous

religions is the interdependence of people and nature. Most Indigenous people consider

humankind as part of the environment, which defines their approach to life, behavior, and

decisions they make(Molloy, 2021). The Haida of the Pacific Northwest considers whales and

ravens as their ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’ and fish and trees as the finned and tree people (Molloy,
 4

2021). Such a sense of kinship manifested itself in all parts of their lives: how they hunt, how

they use natural resources, and their art, for example. The concept of “wairua” is at the heart of

Māori spirituality (Valentine et al., 2017). Wairua is not just a belief but is a part of being Māori,

connecting people to their ancestors, their community, and the natural world. This fits with the

indigenous view of connectedness of all things, of the blurring of boundaries between physical

and spiritual. Another robust case in point is the BaMbuti or Mbuti of central African forest

(Molloy, 2021) people. Their familiarity with the forest may be described as profound, to the

point where they are able to recognize the difference between many types of plants and even

differentiate the sounds of the forest – which gives evidence of the subjects’ reverence of nature.

It is more than utilitarian – it has religious significance – the interaction helps shape their

perspective of reality and their role in it.

Another defining characteristic of indigenous religions is their understanding of sacred

time and space. Unlike linear, progressive time, sacred time is cyclical, connecting the present

with the mythical past and the ancestral realm. Sacred spaces, often natural sites like mountains,

forests, or rivers, act as portals to the spirit world, where the divine can be accessed and

experienced. Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Australia and Harney Peak in South Dakota serve as such

sacred centers for the Aboriginal and Lakota peoples, respectively(Molloy, 2021). The Yoruba of

Nigeria believe in two interconnected realms: Aye, the visible world of the living, and Orun, the

spiritual world of the Orishas, ancestors, and spirits(Phoebe, 2004). This concept highlights the

belief that the spiritual realm permeates the physical world and can be accessed through specific

locations and rituals.

Respect for origins, gods, and ancestors is another hallmark of indigenous religions.

Creation stories explain the world's origins and humanity's place within it. Deities embody the
 5

forces of nature and guide human affairs(Molloy, 2021). Ancestral spirits are revered as

protectors and sources of wisdom.

The Yoruba of Nigeria offers a fascinating example of this reverence. They believe in a

supreme god, Olorun, who created the universe, and a pantheon of Orishas, deities who govern

various aspects of life(Phoebe, 2004). The Orishas are not distant, abstract beings; they are

actively involved in human affairs, and their favor is sought through offerings, rituals, and ethical

conduct. This belief system fosters a sense of responsibility towards both the divine and the

community, emphasizing the importance of maintaining harmony and balance(Phoebe, 2004).

Indigenous religions maintain the customs of respecting their ancestors (Molloy, 2021).

Besides being our forebears, they are spirits that help mold the lives of their descendants. They

are worshipped and expected to provide solutions, and their approval is obtained through

propitiations and rituals. This tradition symbolizes the present continuous tradition and the need

to honor the foregone ancestors. Such practices like retaining the soul bundle, an object still

sacred to the Lakota people even today, and it had a strand of hair from a dead person, prove the

values of ancestors (The Rite of Purification). It remains kept for one year, and the keeper

conveys that he or she would lead a peaceful life, signifying the impact the deceased has on the

living. Looking at the examples of indigenous religious practices helps to angle on the general

definition of religion as diverse and pluralistic. These traditions evolve and evolve in the modern

world, which indicates their relevance and, therefore, their power.

References

Molloy, M. (2021). Experiencing The World’s Religions. Mcgraw Hill.

Phoebe, A. (2004). Yoruba Art and Culture. Hearst Museum of Anthropology and the regents of

the University of California, 9–10.

The Rite of Purification – Inípi. (n.d.). Aktá Lakota Museum & Cultural Center.

https://aktalakota.stjo.org/seven-sacred-rites/inipi-rite-of-purification/

Valentine, H., Tassell-Mataamua, N., & Flett, R. (2017). Whakairia ki runga: The many

dimensions of wairua. New Zealand Journal of Psychology (Online), 46(3), 64-71.