Week 4 - Zoua Nikki Thao
This week's theme of Spirits Everywhere and Modern Interpretations of Animism is manifested in the two articles and tarot cards. Reading "We Are Not Alone," really had me thinking about the belief of animism because I feel so distant from it. Growing up as a Christian in America is completely different from the animistic world, or so I thought. John Broomfield's claim of how all of "our ancestors," always believed in everything having a spirit initially sounded unbelievable to my Christian ears. However, as I continued to read more into it, I realized that Christianity and Animism beliefs have quite a bit in common when it comes to looking at the interrelated connections between all of creation. Which brings me to question, did we all once come from the same ancestors who believed in animism?
Similarly, I found many connections between my Christian faith and Karen Fjelstad's piece, "We have Len Dong Too": Transnational Aspects of Spirit Possession. Like the practice of len dong, Christianity has crossed many borders and seas and continues to adapt based on given resources and cultural customs. I found such a stark similarity in how the culture of consumerism/materialism becomes a controversial topic in religious groups, especially in a setting like America. I am reminded of prosperity preachers when I read bout spirit mediums and their consumption practices.
The tarot card, "The Ghost" struck a cord in my heart because it asked, "How have the forces of history brought you to this moment?" referring to being disconnected with one's self and history. It reminded me of what Broomfield discussed when education stresses STEM so much in comparison to learning more about something like the spirit realm, which allows us to become in tune with our souls and histories. I am continuing to ponder on this question as I look into my own religious beliefs, familial history and education. These readings have definitely demonstrated to me how spirits are everywhere and that interpretations of spiritual beliefs rely solely on one's personal experience.
Works Cited:
http://stories.avvo.com/nakedlaw/bizarre/6-outrageously-wealthy-preachers-under-federal-investigation.html
Similarly, I found many connections between my Christian faith and Karen Fjelstad's piece, "We have Len Dong Too": Transnational Aspects of Spirit Possession. Like the practice of len dong, Christianity has crossed many borders and seas and continues to adapt based on given resources and cultural customs. I found such a stark similarity in how the culture of consumerism/materialism becomes a controversial topic in religious groups, especially in a setting like America. I am reminded of prosperity preachers when I read bout spirit mediums and their consumption practices.
The tarot card, "The Ghost" struck a cord in my heart because it asked, "How have the forces of history brought you to this moment?" referring to being disconnected with one's self and history. It reminded me of what Broomfield discussed when education stresses STEM so much in comparison to learning more about something like the spirit realm, which allows us to become in tune with our souls and histories. I am continuing to ponder on this question as I look into my own religious beliefs, familial history and education. These readings have definitely demonstrated to me how spirits are everywhere and that interpretations of spiritual beliefs rely solely on one's personal experience.
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| The idea of prosperity preachers. |
http://stories.avvo.com/nakedlaw/bizarre/6-outrageously-wealthy-preachers-under-federal-investigation.html
Broomfield, John. "“We Are Not Alone” The Shamans Of The World Tell Us."Collective
Evolution. N.p., 14 Nov. 2015. Web. 22 Apr. 2017.
Fjelstad, Karen, and Thị Hiền. Nguyễn. Possessed by the Spirits: Mediumship in
Contemporary Vietnamese Communities. Ithaca, NY: Southeast Asia Program Publications, Southeast Asia Program, Cornell U, 2006. Print.
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