Animism The word "Animism" comes from the Latin word "animus" meaning spirit. Animism is a spiritual path that believes all objects, natural phenomena and living beings have souls. In other words, animism is for people who believe that spiritual beings and forces have power over human lives, and that humans must find out which spirits are impacting them. Below are some of the fundamentals of Animism. Animism: How Did We Get Here? Some animists believe that the universe had no beginning. Others believe that everything was created by the gods, or even by a "high god", who is too distant to be concerned with the lives of humans. Back | Top | Next Spiritual Path   Animism: What is the Purpose of Life? For the animist, life finds its purpose in observing the tribal norms of behaviors, as well as the taboos. The gods and the ancestors must be honored, and sacrifices must be made to them. Initiation must be undertaken when appropriate. Back | Top | Next Spiritual Path   Animism: Who/What is God? There are many gods and spirits, found in everything from nature, to trees, to animals, to the heavenly bodies. Perhaps there is one "higher" god over all other gods, acting as a unifying force. Back | Top | Next Spiritual Path   Animism: Who Are Humans? Human beings are in some sense, children of the gods. Possibly, they are descendants of their semi-divine primal parents. Back | Top | Next Spiritual Path   Animism: What is Sin? Sins are any offences which disturb human relationship with the gods or spirits. When humans commit sin, retribution and anger from the gods is expected and accepted. Back | Top | Next Spiritual Path   Animism: How Do You Explain Pain and Suffering? Pain and suffering are normally the results of sin. That is, the gods and spirits cause suffering to fall on a person or a community, when someone in that community has done something against them. This will often be in the form of disastrous weather, or failed crops. Back | Top | Next Spiritual Path   Animism: Has God Communicated with Us? How? The "high" god is too far off to communicate with humans. Even the lower gods do not "communicate" with humans. Theses gods have no concern for humans, nor mercy or love. Their ways are not stable, and are normally defined by the current context. They could probably only be said to communicate with humans when they dole out punishments and calamities on a community. Back | Top | Next Spiritual Path   Animism: How Do You Find God? Searching for "god" or the gods is a futile exercise. The gods are everywhere, and are not supposed to be searched for. The gods will find you. Back | Top | Next Spiritual Path   Animism: What Happens When You Die? Not much is known about the afterlife. Animists believe that when someone dies, he will join the ancestors in the next life. However, there is little information about the next life, and it is possibly as unpredictable as this life. Back | Top | Next Spiritual Path