Harrell - Earth Religion

In most of the primal cultures we have studied throughout the semester, nature has been one of the most important things in their existence. Discussing the importance of nature, different cultures hold different beliefs regarding the importance of nature in their lives. Sadly, for most of the modern world, the Earth is the backdrop of mankind's existence and not something that holds its own essence and importance. In comparison, we see primal cultures that literally worship nature. Earth-centered religion or nature worship is a system of religion based on the veneration of natural phenomena. It covers any religion that worships the earth, nature or fertility and goddesses, such as the various forms of goddess worship or matriarchal religion. Some find a connection between earth-worship and the Gaia hypothesis. Earth religions are also formulated to allow one to utilize the knowledge of preserving the earth. I find that these religions are truly massed in primal cultures as this emphasis on nature holds to the utmost importance. 

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