The people of the Southwest, along with the Southeast had full-time religious leaders with shrines or temple buildings.  Most Native Americans believe that in the universe there exists an Almighty, a spiritual force that is the source of all life.  The Almighty belief is not pictured as a man in the sky, but is believed to be formless and exist in the universe.  The sun is viewed as the power of the Almighty.  They are not worshipping the sun, but praying to the Almighty, and the sun is a sign and symbol for that.  Native Americans show less interest in an afterlife unlike the Christians.  They assume the souls of the dead go to another part of the universe where they have a new existence carrying on everyday activities like they were still alive.  They are just in a different world.

 

 

created on April 15, 1998

edited on April 22, 1998
by Pam Eck, IUPUI