6. ANIMISIST WORLDVIEW
DR. EARL PARVIN
2018
INTRODUCTION
It may be hard to believe that there are animists in this advanced 21st century world. However, even in this enlightened age, there are Atheists [150 million] who deny the presence of God or gods, and thus pronounce themselves to be the end of all things. There are those who claim no allegiance to any religious persuasion [767 million]; as well as 252 million animists also known as Ethnic Religionists, who believe that all of life is full of ‘anima’ or a life force, whether inanimate or animate. As one studies the beliefs of most developed religious systems, it becomes clear that ‘ancient’ animistic views still play an amazing part, such as in Shintoism, Native American Religions and many African Ethnic Religions.
It may also be important to point out that Evolutionists believe that “man is only a part of nature generally and the animal world specifically”. This lends itself to animistic thinking…man is but a part of nature which has somehow evolved.
Animism is the teaching that there are ‘spirits’ which may or may not have a body. The ‘worship’ or better, appeasement of the spirits is in contrast to worshipping a God who has personality and is thus definable [ie, Jehovah or Allah], or gods about whom there are legendary exploits [ie, Hindu pantheon or Japanese Kami]. This teaching gives rise to ‘Folklore’, ‘Fable’ or ‘Myth’. It can also be used in ‘Allegory’ which suggests a ‘symbolic’ meaning versus Literal.
Animism is an effort at a ‘natural’ explanation of phenomenon, versus an organized religion which is believed to have been ‘revealed’ by prophets as mediators between god and man through ‘apocalyptic revelation’ or sacred scriptures. As such, Animistic principles may be evident in the history of most world religions.
Within the realm of Animistic teaching it will be necessary to recognize a number of basic subjects: 1. Magic, the secret methods and symbols used in seeking to manipulate or control the spirits. 2. The Magician, Priest, Shaman or one who mystically exercises the secret formulas. 3. Ancestor Worship, the belief that though dead, relatives still exercise control over the living, for good or evil. 4. Totemism or the belief that certain objects/animals contain mystical power, for they are seen as symbolic of the clan or family even as a blood relative, perhaps involving reincarnation. 5. Existence of the Soul is universal and may be considered a little man or animal inside the person, believed to be able to exit and return to the body; therefore, care must be taken to guard the ‘exits’ and ‘entrances’. Also, the soul at death must be guided to the great beyond peacefully and expeditiously by some practitioner. 6. The extreme seriousness of violent death, which releases the angry, disembodied soul to do harm to the living. 7. The great importance of ‘Rites of Passage’ or making proper arrangements for all life events: birth, puberty, marriage, illness, death, after dark or during a storm, which are understood to be serious times of activity for the spirits. 8. Anima is understood to inhabit all inanimate objects, such as trees, rocks, rivers, picture, and exercises great power [Shinto]. 9. Taboo is a sacred prohibition against certain places, items names or occasions. Great caution must be taken or preparations made not to breech the taboo, which could lead to untimely death. 10. Fetishism is the belief that certain items have great power: amulet, charm, talisman, or tic [sportsman], which, when properly handled or meticulously executed, provides protection or gives a skill…sportsmen use this or the placing of a Madonna or crystal in the car. The belief in the power in the pyramid shape. 11. Anything once attached to person [hair, fingernail, etc].
Animistic concepts are prevalent in certain teachings which emphasize the Mystical, Magical Healing, the Pre-rational or creating “Sub-cultures”:
1. The Occult, Wicca, Pagan teaching of Inner Being versus the Body.
2. New Age “Alternative Spiritual Subculture”; Astrological Age of Aquarius; Own Divine Potential; Meditation; Medium Channeling [speaking to departed]; Crystal Healing; Astral Projection; Psychic Experience; Holistic Healing; Extraterrestrial Life; UFOs; Crop Circles; Rock Music; Personal Guide; Experiencing God; Abstract Idea of God. [60 million New Agers]
3. Divination, Fortune Telling, Omens [events need to be interpreted]
4. Cleromancy [casting lots]
5. Augury [flight patterns of birds, examining animals innerds]
6. Spontaneous [turn pages find answer]
7. External Now [look back far enough see future]
8. Death [Soul departed still influencing living. Needs be helped to nether world, as it meandering ghost. Periodic Rituals to assure at rest. Food sacrifices at shrine ]
9. Yoga
10. The paintings on the walls of the crypt of the Egyptian Mummy. The clay soldiers in the Chinese grave.
The Animistic Worldview will be typified by several characteristics: 1. the Prevalence of Fear. 2. The absence of any religious consolation, love or deliverance. 3. No differentiation between good and evil. 4. A fatalistic outlook on life. 5. Soul needs to be appeased or helped. [Anderson p.20].
THE PRESUPPOSITIONS:
1. THE NECESSITY OF FAITH
Remember the definition of faith. “Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence”. The Animist has sadistic faith that his religious practitioner can manipulate or control the spirits which are mainly malignant and of which he is morbidly fearful. He sincerely believes he must perform the various rituals and avoid the Taboos. He is fatalistic.
2. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
The Animist has no God, only a belief that the manipulator of the spirits [Shaman, Witch Doctor] can help protect, preserve and restore to equilibrium whatever he has upset in the unseen spirit world. The shaman becomes the equivalent of a god to receive reverential, pathological fear or controlling terror.
3. THE WORD OF GOD
There is no written word of god per se, however, the words of the practitioner are tantamount to the same. The Animist depends upon these words to know what to do or not do, for a fee of course.
4. THE STANDARD OF TRUTH
The standard of truth is the mortal fear of angering the spirits and that the practitioner will manipulate the spirits correctly. He must execute with acumen the instructions of the medicine man or the medicine man must not err in his ritual to control or divine the future. [Consulting the Greek oracle before some important action].
5. THE STANDARD OF ETHICAL MORALITY
The power of malignant fear is such that breaching a taboo may bring instant death.
CONCLUSION:
An Animist Worldview may be expressed as follows:
I Jn 4:18 “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love”. The NIV says, fear has to do with punishment. Sadly, the Animist’s life is dominated by fear. His life is one of constant terror.
DISCUSSION:
1. In an Animistic Worldview what can he do to ameliorate fear?
2. Consider what animistic principles are at work potentially in each of the other worldviews.
3. Consider why the rite of sprinkling blood is carefully executed around airplanes in Nepal.
4. Why is salt often sprinkled over the left shoulder in some cultures?
5. What was the purpose of human sacrifices in some cultures?
HOMEWORK:
Seek to discover what fears with which you may grapple and discern if they are animistic in nature. Our God is in the business of casting out all fear, yet Christians are at times devastated with fear of the unknown…most of the time the fear never comes to fruition.
Article: Perfect Peace for the Christian #23