Native Religion of the Americas

The Religion, Scriptures, and Spirituality (Revised)

by Åke Hultkrantz, Ben Kingsley (Read by)

North, Central, and South American Indians have a rich religious heritage, though much has been lost since these peoples were conquered by Europeans. Characteristic features of Native American religion included the master of the animals, a protective spirit of a species or of all animals. Shamans, ecstatic medicine men, used supernatural powers to cure the ill. Totemism was a mysterious religious bond between the human clan and their animal guardians. There was a high god as well as many atmospheric gods, such as gods of thunder and wind. The Earth Mother was understood to work silently, influencing all.

The Religion, Scriptures, and Spirituality Series describes the beliefs, religious practices, and the spiritual and moral commitments of the world's great religious traditions. It describes a religion's way of understanding life and its attitude and relationship to society.

Genres: Religion, History, Nonfiction

Audio CD

First published September 15, 2006

Reviews

[Shirley Eiswerth (Quackenbush) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting history of Native American tribes and their beliefs. I’ve read some things and forgotten most. Fascinating!

[Carl Palmateer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick overview of native religions in the western hemisphere, think of this a an introductory survey in religious studies. It might be a bit too large a project for the size of the book. It doesn't seem to flow well. It has little in the way of mythology or folk stories for those seeking such.

[AttackGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scary, shocking, the absolute worst nightmare, scary movies do not compare to the people’s worship of their Gods.

This terrifying and I suggest everyone read it because did you hear the alien abductions part…. The aliens Complete involvement in the loves of the people and so you wonder where did they learn the behavior of skinning people alive, wearing their faces…. Oh lord shall we also call these things in the Americas human?

Imagine where the Jews slaughtered the animals thousand a day where blood was knee deep to appease their God these people did the same but with humans. Perhaps all those ideas of God we should banish from our language from on those who discuss the concepts of sacrifice as ignorant.

Read it carefully.

[Ira Livingston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read - and a very high level image, in fact very sparse look over the tribal religions found in the Americas or Western Hemisphere.

Personally I was looking for more information and deeper investigations, but didn’t realize the length of book until I had after ordering.

I did like the vastness of what potential I have for digging into other books on the subject. If you want a very good place to start - this would be highly recommended!

[Kumar K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected folktales and account of gods that people of North and Souht America. Instead, this is a summary of cultures and why they had the gods that they had, mostly in North America, but also the South, even in Peru. This is OK, but not what I expected. It does summarize well; the audiobook is only 4 hours long, so it's short. If you want mythology, though, look somewhere else.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really interesting introduction to various religions and practices across the Americas. It’s not condescending, but it doesn’t use the most up to date and politically correct titles (references some native Canadians as “Eskimos”). However, it shows that each culture has a distinct tradition as doesn’t often generalize.

[Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before reading this, I didn't know anything about the religious histories and practices of Native North and South American peoples and found this to be a fascinating introduction. That being said, it just scratched the surface and if you already have a lot of knowledge on these subjects, you might not enjoy it as much.

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben Kingsley did a good job of narrating. The other voices made it more interesting to listen too. The content was educational. This is a decent introduction into the history of Native Americans and other tribes of North and South America.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The information in this book is very interesting, but it’s also a very general overview and doesn’t go into a lot of depth. I think it’s a good place to start as an introduction to different native religions, but you’d have to find another resource for more detail.

[B.L. Blankenship · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is very insightful and telling in regards to full on pagan ritualism, human sacrifice, all the way to reverent prayer, and traditions practiced from the arctic tundra of North America to the bottom tip of South America.

[Adriell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very much an overview of native religions.
Also, as far as I can tell, it's all White Man's perspective, without consultation from the actual Native Americans. There are very few sources given for their research.
Kinda disappointing.

[Deakon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Native Religions of the Americas (10/45)

A fun and short *Baby’s First* for religions I didn’t know all too much about. It is pretty brief as is expected for the first step into a wider subject which I plan to chase in the future!!

[Ozifer Eris]

I appreciated the audio read.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Offensively simplistic.

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cannot tell if this is a really good summary since I don't know much on this subject, but it all seemed well organized and helpful. I liked it.

I'd listen to the audiobook again.

[Rudi Bezuidenhoudt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good introduction to these religious beliefs, but not any real in-depth discussion. Some mention of shamans and plant medicines used.

[Dodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this introduction. It was an audiobook but unfortunately felt like a course lecture.

[Kimber Lybbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mildly intriguing. More of a brief overview to spark further study than anything comprehensive or in depth.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic facts of various tribal rituals and beliefs, some are horrifying. Overtime, native religion is summarized as good and evil. Good shamanism and totem animal practice details.