Nature religion is a concept that many people have wondered about. Many people believe that nature is the embodiment spiritual power, divinity and sacredness. Many believe in the healing, cleansing, and restoration of the soul by nature. There are many kinds of nature religions. However, all share some common elements.
Modern forms of Nature Religion
American culture is home to many forms of modern nature religion. Nature religions can be described as friendly and positive in their rhetoric, but they are often associated with the desire to control and master natural phenomena. Some academics believe that even the rationalistic deism of early America has its roots in a desire to control and master nature.
Historical development
The term "nature religion" has been used often in both academic and popular venues to describe the phenomena of nature as sacred religious belief since the 1970s. In many cases, nature religion has been a contested concept that has been the subject of debate for centuries.
Critics
Nature religion critics do not just have to be religious. They have worked across disciplines, from philosophy to physical cosmology, to study the psychological roots of religious practices. These individuals reject the notion of a creator and believe in no God. They believe belief in a god can lead to violent and irrational behavior. They believe ridicule is the best way of exposing the absurdity and inexplicability of religion.
Anastasianism
Anastasianism is a nature-based religion in which the individual seeks to communicate with the divine through nature. According to this belief, all life on earth is the product of the thoughts of God. The creation of trees and grass is therefore a manifestation the divine. One can connect with nature to commune with God and gain esoteric wisdom. The Anastasians' belief in nature is a new way to view and experience the natural world.
Polytheism
Polytheism recognizes many gods and each one has its own unique needs and personalities. Rather than just one supreme god, these gods participate in human affairs, and are often motivated by rituals. Because of this, they are often considered to be important and relevant to human lives.
Shamanism
Shamanism is a religion which focuses on healing, nature and spirituality. Its basic premise is that invisible forces exist in the visible world. These forces can have an impact on the lives and well-being of all living things. A spiritual healer known as the shaman works to destroy these forces and heal people through both spiritual and practical methods. For instance, a shaman may cure someone by banishing an infectious spirit.
Deep ecology
Deep ecology is a philosophy that combines science and philosophy to help us understand nature more fully. It was influenced by Baruch De Spinoza, a Dutch philosopher, and Mohandas Gandhi the Indian spiritual leader. The philosophy is founded on the notion that everything is connected and that separateness is an illusion. This ecological perspective can be used to develop a metaphysical and eco-philosophical perspective of interconnectedness.