Exploring Folk religion

A collection of beliefs and customs that have their roots in regional cultures are referred to as folk religion. In general they do not conform to externally established rules or official beliefs, despite the fact that organized religious concepts may have an impact on their practices. In areas where access to official faith worship is limited, folk religions tend to flourish. These culturally embedded belief systems, such as Native American faiths, Chinese folk religions, Australian aboriginal religions, and African traditional religions, adopt common issues like safety, health, and prosperity. Folk religion frequently blends the communities and cultures with the world around them. For instance in Japan, Shintoism is a native religion that emphasizes kami, spirits connected to ancestors and the natural world. In Haiti, Vodou blends aspects of indigenous beliefs about spirits called lwa, African, and Catholic faiths. In Africa and Asia, animism frequently refers to the idea that inanimate objects, plants, and animals have souls. Ancestral devotion and adoration are combined with aspects of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism in traditional Chinese folk religion, which is a patchwork of regional customs and beliefs that represent the various historical influences on China. The following videos should help your understanding of folk religion.