Moral Issues In World Religions Class Exercise

Moral Issues in World religions Class Exercise

The following is based on Chapter 2 and 3 of the Hopfe and Woodward Textbook: 1. Identify three of the most dominant of the common features of basic religions present in Native American and African Religions. a. Define each feature b. Explain how each of these permeate and inform Native American and African Religiosity. 2. List three ways in which each of these features (as practiced in Native American Religion), affects current Western Culture.

Paper For Above instruction

The study of world religions reveals common features that transcend specific cultural contexts, demonstrating patterns that are evident across diverse spiritual traditions such as Native American and African religions. These shared elements highlight universal aspects of human religiosity and offer insights into how ancient beliefs continue to influence contemporary societies, especially Western culture. In this essay, three dominant features of basic religions—myth, ritual, and symbol—present in Native American and African religions are defined and explored for their influence on religiosity. Subsequently, their impacts on Western culture are examined.

1. Myth

Myth constitutes sacred stories that explain the origins of the universe, human life, and the natural phenomena that shape existence. Myths serve as a foundational element in Native American and African religions, providing cosmological explanations, moral lessons, and cultural identity. For example, Native American myths about creation, such as the story of the Earth diverging from the waters, serve to articulate the tribe's worldview and relationship with nature. Similarly, African mythologies often recount ancestral stories that outline moral virtues, social order, and spiritual principles.

Myths permeate these religious systems by informing rituals, ceremonies, and moral codes. They function as vehicles for transmitting cultural values from one generation to another, maintaining social cohesion and spiritual continuity. These stories are often narrated through oral tradition, reinforcing communal identity and spiritual understanding in Native American and African societies.

2. Ritual

Ritual involves structured acts of worship or spiritual practice that express reverence, devotion, or a connection to the divine. In Native American religions, rituals such as sweat lodge ceremonies, ceremonies of the Sundance, and vision quests are pivotal; they serve to invoke spiritual guidance, mark transitions, or purify individuals and the community. African religious practices also incorporate elaborate rituals including initiation rites, offerings, dance, and drumming, all aimed at maintaining harmony between humans and spirits.

In both traditions, rituals are embedded deeply within religious life and serve to communicate with the supernatural realm. They are also crucial for community bonding, identity reinforcement, and cultural continuity. These rituals permeate daily life and communal gatherings, demonstrating their integrative role in Native American and African religiosity.

3. Symbol

Symbols serve as tangible representations of divine principles, spirits, or cultural values. In Native American religions, symbols such as the eagle, sacred plants, or totems embody spiritual qualities and serve as links between humans and nature. African religions frequently utilize symbols like amulets, masks, and color patterns to invoke spirits, protect individuals, or signify social status.

These symbols inform religious practices and social identity, often communicated through arts, crafts, and ceremonies. They permeate daily life, fostering a sense of spiritual presence and cultural unity. Symbols in Native American and African religions often have multifaceted meanings, guiding moral conduct and spiritual awareness.

Impact on Western Culture

The features of myth, ritual, and symbol from Native American and African religions continue to influence Western culture in multiple ways. First, myths have inspired Western storytelling, literature, and film, shaping ideas about origins and morality. For example, creation stories often influence Western notions of nature and human purpose (Eliade, 1959). Second, rituals such as meditation, fasting, and celebratory ceremonies have been incorporated into Western spiritual practices, including mindfulness and wellness movements (Cohen, 2009). Third, symbols like the use of the eagle or specific colors in national emblems derive from indigenous symbolism, fostering a collective identity rooted in these traditional meanings (Johnson, 2014).

Furthermore, the appreciation of indigenous mythologies and rituals has contributed to a broader recognition of cultural diversity and spiritual pluralism. Many Western spiritual movements explicitly draw on African and Native American practices to promote holistic well-being, environmental awareness, and intercultural understanding (Liebing, 2017). As such, the core features of these religions have transcended their original contexts, enriching Western cultural norms and spiritual philosophies.

In conclusion, myth, ritual, and symbol are three core features prevalent in Native American and African religions that embody universal aspects of religiosity. Their influence extends beyond their cultural origins, profoundly impacting Western cultural expressions, spiritual practices, and collective identities.

References

  • Eliade, M. (1959). The Sacred and The Profane: The Nature of Religion. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
  • Cohen, S. (2009). The Mindfulness Revolution: The Unfolding of a New Cultural Movement. Journal of Contemporary Religion, 24(1), 85–103.
  • Johnson, E. (2014). Symbols of Power and Identity in Western Culture. Routledge.
  • Liebing, R. (2017). Indigenous Religions and Modern Spiritual Movements. Oxford University Press.
  • Hopfe, L. M., & Woodward, M. R. (2013). Religions of the World. Pearson.

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