Intro to Religion

Indigenous approaches to sacred things differ from other religions in so many ways that it is, in fact, hard to think of ways that it doesn’t differ. For instance, a main concern of people today is materialistic items. Common religions, such as Christianity, does not discourage the appreciation of material things, as long as these things are not held above God, like an Idol. However, indigenous ways do not allow these non-sacred things to be held as dear. Clothes, nicer homes, new technology, etc. is not something that most indigenous people view as a necessity the way that so many people in today’s world do. It is believed that if it does not glorify their God, then it is expendable as far as they are concerned. With having said that, there are other types of ways that indigenous people’s sacred beliefs are separated from others as well. Like the way they keep record of their experiences, for example. Fisher says, “In most native cultures spiritual lifeways are shared orally and there are no written scriptures. This helps to keep the indigenous sacred ways dynamic and flexible, and the sacred experience more fresh.” That is a striking difference. In Christian beliefs, the Bible is sacred. It is the Holy Scriptures and teachings of our Lord; the absolute guidebook for decisions, beliefs, and actions. However, indigenous people have no such thing in their practices because they want to keep their sacred ways more “flexible.” That is a hard idea to wrap your head around while thinking of people who hold their beliefs and customs to be so sacred. These are just a few of the innumerable examples of indigenous sacred ways differing from other religions.