Worship: The Basics of Native Religion

Worship: The Basics of Native Religion

Religion is a difficult subject of inquiry, it is by many an elusive object” (Blakey et al., 1994: 1). There are various methods and definitions in the scientific study of religion. Some of these approaches are sociological, phenomenological, philosophical, psychological, historical, and others. No two scholars approach the same research with precisely the same perspective if they use the same methodology.

 Therefore, any belief in the methodological approach to research remains a thorny issue. As Macquarrie remarked, “ as there are as many interpretations and theories of religion as there are authors on the topic."Then there are only three approaches that many scholars have suggested have been more or less employed in the study of religion These include historical, phenomenological, and behavioral or social-scientific

Another author has come up with a seven-part definition of religion with a seven-fold scheme of study namely, Doctrinal, Mythological, Ethical, Systematic, Experimental, Institutional and Instrumental (1998: 1-11). He said, “…experience a way of belief and practice through which men hope to experience or what lies behind their ordinary world”.

According to A. R. Brown, one of the earliest social anthropologists it refers to religion, “…an expression of our dependence on authority in some form or other sense beyond ourselves”. Nevertheless, these definitions do not take in the various attributes and the role of religion accounts. But by looking at how people practiced, and still practice religion one can argue that religion was, and still is, part of life the Oromo people reflect their identity for generations. As Waal argues, for the justification and symbolic expression of a particular belief, .religion is a unified system of beliefs and certain institutions, systems of practices, and moral codes.

Moreover; its relationship with the family patterns, social, cultural, political, and economic organizations, that is, religious functions and influences. In a recent statement, he wrote that religions would increasingly borrow from each other and global consensus on the value of religion in society would eventually grow. Inside one of his interviews he said; I … believe we are moving towards a worldview that has room for all and recognizes the religions and contributions of different traditions. Hopefully, it will have an overview of how we can work together to promote human and spiritual values.