Ms. Sue,
Need your help in helping me finding some info to help answer this question.
Consider the interrelatedness of everything in the cosmos as it is
expressed in many indigenous religions. How do you think the importance of
these relationships developed? What spiritual purpose do you think they
serve for indigenous peoples?
I checked about 40 sites on Google -- and found nothing that would help you. Essentially, your question is asking how native peoples viewed their world and their place in it. Many of them believed that people, plants, animals, are all connected and that people needed to respect these connections.
Also check these answers given to a classmate of yours by two other teachers this evening.
http://www.jiskha.com/display.cgi?id=1219368750
Rose, please don't use my name in your subject line. It's off-putting to other teachers and may prevent you getting an answer when I'm not available.
No problem Ms. Sue.
Thanks a lot for your help.
r
You're very welcome. :-)
I believe the relationships developed through the spiritual elders, who lived among each generation. They developed with the experience gained, discovering that harmony could bring them together. The relationships developed in people experiencing different parts of life and using the observations to reach a conclusion. The conclusions that they formed provided a spiritual purpose by explaining your everyday situation with a larger concept. Many religions have different beliefs but they share the same goals.
To help answer the question about the interrelatedness of everything in the cosmos as expressed in indigenous religions, you can start by researching indigenous religions and their beliefs. The following steps can guide you in finding the necessary information:
1. Start by conducting a general search on indigenous religions around the world. Look for reputable sources such as academic journals, books, or websites that specialize in religious studies or anthropology. This will provide you with a basic understanding of the different indigenous belief systems.
2. Pay attention to specific terms or concepts related to interrelatedness or interconnectedness in these religions. Look for keywords such as harmony, balance, interconnectedness, or interdependence. These terms often reflect the central idea of the relationships found in these belief systems.
3. Explore case studies or specific indigenous cultures that place significance on the interrelatedness of everything in the cosmos. Look for examples from various regions, such as Native American, African, Australian Aboriginal, or Polynesian cultures.
4. Read scholarly articles, books, or ethnographic studies that provide insights into indigenous worldview and practice. These sources often offer in-depth explanations of why these relationships are important and the spiritual purpose they serve for indigenous peoples.
5. Take notes and analyze the information you find. Look for common themes or patterns that emerge across different indigenous religions. Pay attention to the reasons given for the development and importance of these relationships, as well as the spiritual significance they hold for indigenous communities.
Remember to critically evaluate the quality and reliability of your sources. Academic journals and books published by reputable publishers are generally more reliable than websites or personal blogs.
By following these steps, you can gather the necessary information to answer the question about the importance of interrelatedness in indigenous religions and the spiritual purpose it serves for indigenous peoples.