[lbo-talk] Marxism and Religion

[Miles Jackson]

Mike Ballard wrote:
> Sociologists who study religion point out that the belief 
> in gods tends to emerge when societies develop rigid political 
> hierarchies (the "King" or "Chief" is mirrored in the spiritual world by 
> a god or gods).  In hunting and gathering societies, belief in gods is 
> the exception rather than the rule (animism differs dramatically from 
> deity worship).
>
> Miles
> **********
>
> If you've got time, could you expand on how animism differs from belief in
> gods....just a bit Miles?
>
> Cheers,
> Mike B)
>
>   
Animism is the belief that physical objects, animals, and people can 
"inhabited" by some spirits/forces/supernatural entities, for good or 
for bad.  However, there are no gods that are worshipped or feared. 

Miles