Animism / Folk Religions

The joy of carrying water to a thirsty land!

 
The joy of carrying water to a thirsty land!

I spent the first seven years of my service looking past animistic signs, laughing at the silliness of the “marginal beliefs” and focusing on good orthodox teaching, both ours and theirs. My good intent brought me into parallel worlds of religion and folk religion, not knowing how to bridge the gulf of felt needs in people’s minds. No one told me that animistic systems were equal to, if not even greater than the influence of high beliefs held by the people. Jesus answers the questions of protection and healing I did not know were being asked. Candidates need to grasp animism on a world-wide basis, and learn to communicate faith in the midst of people seeking power and protection through animism.