THE MISSIONARY'S CHALLENGE–Animism

Anthropologist say animism is the oldest original human religion. Defined as belief in the existence of spiritual beings, it dates back to the earliest humans and continues to exist today.

Animism is a very practical belief system. The animist believes that a spirit or divinity resides within every object, controlling its existence and influencing human life and events in the natural world. Throughout the world, animistic religious beliefs are widespread among primitive societies, particularly among those in which many different spiritual beings are believed to control different aspects of the natural and social environment.

Animism is prevalent on every continent and is part of every culture. In Western cultures animistic customs include channeling and magical use of crystals in the New Age movement, ritual practices of the occult, and the reading of horoscopes to perceive how the alignment of the planets affects life. There are also animistic undercurrents to all major religions as they are practiced around the world. For example, spiritism is an ideology followed by most Catholics in Brazil. Muslims not only worship God at the mosque on Friday but also venerate holy men at their tombs.

Hindus not only believe in karma, reincarnation, and samsara, but they also presume that rakasas (evil spirits) and ancestors influence life and, therefore, must be manipulated and controlled. What a challenge for the missionary serving in cultures where animism dominates everyday life. One can scarcely imagine the effect a simple mention of “the spirit or Holy Spirt”, would have on the animist. It would conjure up thoughts and visions of spirits that are totally incompatible with what the Bible teaches about the spirit and Holy Spirit.

The clear message for all who seek to proclaim the gospel effectively in cultures where animism is part of every day life, is to know and understand the culture. Winning people to Christ requires that we know the enemy well.