Understanding Religions and Indigenous Sacred Ways

Define "indigenous" as it relates to religion in our textbook.

Which definition of religion described in our text is most meaningful to youand why? Discuss why religion is useful in society. Explain why it is importantfor you personally to understand the beliefs of other religious groups

PLEASE RESPOND TO THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

  Unlike many of the world’s major religions, indigenous religions oftencenters their spirituality within the context of the natural world and onparticular geographic features, including bodies of water, trees,mountains, animals and everything is perceived as being alive with sacredexistence.

             The word indigenous meansoriginated in, and thus the term indigenousreligion means the originalreligion of a place.Indigenous religions in the majorityinclude those not considered to be 'world religions', such as Christianity,Islam, and Buddhism, but instead are oftenrural in nature, do not seek converts, and identify with specific ethnicgroups.

            Religion has been the basic foundation of life, saturating allaspects of human existence. The definition of religion would be the belief of ahigher power that is in control of all things and knows all things. Religion isuseful in society because religious beliefs contribute to moral beliefs.Religion also inoculates against social problems such as drug abuse, divorce andsuicide.

             Understanding religious beliefsother than my own is a key element of tolerance, since faith often define asignificant part of a person’s identity, it’s the clay that molds us into thepeople we become. I have been faced with many friends that are JehovahWitnesses. I remember as a kids making fun of them knocking on my door but as anadult I respect their faith and I expect them to respect mine.

 Source:  Fisher, M. P. (2014). Living religions (9th ed.). Upper SaddleRiver, NJ: Pearson.

http://www.tolerance.org/lesson/understanding-other-religious-beliefs

http://interfaith-centre.org/iic-resources/lectures/african-indigenous-religions-and-inter-religious-relationship