AUTHORITY
Traditions passed on from generation to generations, enforced by shammans/witch doctor
VIEW of GOD
A spiritual force that is the source of all life, a formless power manifested by the sun (sign & symbol)
Seen as light & life-power (sun); or as fertility & strength (earth); or as wisdom & power (jaguar, bear, snake)
Panthiestic – man, animals and plants not really different — all dependent on life-giving source
(similar to Hinduism and New Age – which is why popular today)
VIEW of the TRINITY
No such thing
VIEW of CHRIST
No knowledge of Him
CONTACT WITH GOD
- God contacted by hallucinogenic plants (peyote), fasting, singing prayers, pain, exposure – until in trance and attain spiritual vision (to be a man spirit-guide often found this way)
- Private prayer & public ritual common
- Symbolic dances, processions & feasts (Sun Dance, etc.)
- Spring: crops & fertility
- Autumn: Thanks for harvest
- Long-stemmed pipe to blow tobacco-smoke incense to symbolize the power of the Almighty
- Totems (poles or jewelry) to contact demons
- Talismans and amulets used: Kachina dolls (idol), fetishes (feathers, crystals, plants, etc), medicine pouches worn (power focus)
VIEW of the HOLY SPIRIT
God is Spirit (“Great Spirit”) – very spirit-oriented
See ‘spirits;’ in nature, weather, animals, trees, etc. – tried to appease them
Demons counterfeit angels as “angels of light” (II Cor 11:14)
VIEW of SIN
No such thing
VIEW of SALVATION
No such thing
VIEW of HEAVEN & HELL
Little interest in an afterlife, assume souls of dead go to another part of the universe to have a pleasant existence carrying on everyday activities
Souls of unhappy or evil persons may stay around their former homes, causing misfortunes