Introduction

Basic, also called primitive religions are generally considered those spiritual paths followed by less advanced indigenous peoples of Africa, however, the religions of Native Americans as well as non-traditional spiritual paths followed by millions of Americans such as Santeria, Wicca and Paganism can also be considered as having their origins in basic or primitive religious beliefs.

Overview

The following generalizations can be made regarding the nature of basic religions:

·         Religion is a western term which usually implies an organized set of beliefs and practices to be distinguished from a non-religious sphere of life( Young(1995)p 41)

·         For indigenous peoples all  life is spiritual the spirit world is not separate from us

·         We live in a spiritual world at all times

·         Indigenous peoples believe there is but one world we are spiritual beings ourselves and we live amidst spiritual beings and forces seen and unseen

·         As humans we are certainly not superior to other spiritual beings

·         The basic human problem is failure to respect the intended spiritual equilibrium of all life, human and non-human and to live within it

·         Often indigenous peoples will speak of a path of harmony that they are intended to walk and the problem as departing from that path onto a road of disharmony or error

·         The problem is usually expressed collectively at issue is the spiritual balance of the community as a whole in the here present for the context of the balance of all life

·         An individual’s spiritual imbalance is problematic because it undermines the harmony of the group not merely because of the consequences for the person alone

·         The affects of spiritual imbalance are manifested in the material status of the group and on the individual so social chaos and individual disease or dislocation are assumed to be fundamentally spiritual problems(Young(1995) p 42)

As the above indicates, followers of basic religions seek to live in balance with nature.  This balance is necessary because, it is believed by followers that all aspects of nature have a soul.  Because everything in nature has a soul, humanity is not superior.

Origins

All religions have a myth regarding the creation of the world and humanity, basic religions are no different.  Again, the following are some generalizations regarding myths of origin:

·         Many African societies have myths of origins that portray in original time in which humans here immortal enjoying an eternal bliss, then go on to describe why suffering sickness and death entered into the human situation

·         In some of these myths humans disobeyed some divine law

·         In others a trickster god became involved and led humans astray

·         In still others humans pleas to the chief god became so obnoxious that the creator withdrew ( Young(1995) p 45)

Gods and Spirits

·         Most of the indigenous religions of Africa have both monotheistic and polytheistic elements in their conceptions of the sacred

·         African religions often affirm a high god who is the ultimate  power behind all tings and who understood to be the creator and sustainer of all life ( young(1995) p 50)

Conclusion

Basic religions continue among the indigenous peoples of Africa, as well as among Native Americans, also, forms of basic religious beliefs can be found among individuals whom follow Pagan religions such as Wicca.  This study was meant to offer the reader a brief overview of some of the major beliefs found in basic religious systems.  A more in-depth study of basic religions will follow.

References

Young, W. A.  (1995). The World’s Religions: Worldviews and Contemporary Issues.      Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall