Native American Religious Traditions

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Religious Traditions REL/133 February 8, 2012 Jeremy Langill Religious Traditions “If a man would follow, today, the teachings of the Old Testament, he would be a criminal. If he would fallow strictly the teachings of the new, he would be insane” (Iingersoll, 2012). Religious traditions have been taught and passed from generation to generation throughout the ages, mainly by word of mouth. Story tellers in every religion have been telling the story of their sacred and teaching the ways of their traditions. For example the Native American religious traditions are passed by storytelling, dance, and song. Before writing was taught, almost all religions traditions were passed by mouth. Teaching this way made it difficult to spread…show more content…
Using this new medium the major religions spread like wild fire. Putting myths, rituals, and traditions into text helped spread and standardize the way religion was used by the mass. With the ability to write and read the myths, stories and practices they could be wide spread in a short amount of time, going into great detail about specific rituals, stories. The Catholic and Christian church used text to spread their religion all over the world. These religions spread from England to the Americas, and even the Middle…show more content…
Leadership within a religion is very important to keep structure and order with the followers of that religion. Religious leadership is not bound to the confines of that religion, but are important in the culture in which that religion strives. For example, the Catholic Pope, the Pope is the highest position in the Catholic hierarchy but he holds extreme influence within the Italian government along with local governments as well. Leadership within a religion also means that the leader must have a relationship with its members. A religious leader plays the part of the medium between the sacred and man. In religions like Catholicism, the leader also plays the roll of father in a father/son relationship or the roll of a shepherd to his flock. Not all religions place the leadership in a dominate roll. In Christianity the roll of a Pastor is to only interpret the word of God and help followers stay on the righteous path. Traditions are different all over the world no matter the religion or culture. Tradition lets mankind know the lessons of the past and helps us to navigate the future. Tradition is the building blocks of religion and society. Without tradition, religious or otherwise, mankind would be lost to its
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