BuddhistCatholicContemplativeEvangelicalGeneral ChristianHinduJewishLatter-day SaintMuslimNew VisionsProgressive Christian
Beliefs
- Buddhist
- Catholic
- Contemplative
- Evangelical
- General Christian
- Hindu
- Jewish
- Latter-day Saint
- More Voices
- Muslim
- New Visions
- Pagan
- Progressive Christian
Topics
- Religion News
- Food and Religion
- Sports and Religion
- Religious Art
- Religious Music and Entertainment
- Religious Events
- History and Religion
- Style and Religion
- Politics and Religion
- Women in Religion
- Recreation Outdoors and Religion
- Business Finance and Religion
- Careers Workplace and Religion
- Education and Religion
- Family Parenting and Religion
- Health Fitness and Religion
- Home and Religion
- Relationships and Religion
- Technology and Religion
- Travel and Religion
Columnists
- Buddhist Columnists
- Business Finance and Religion Columnists
- Careers Workplace and Religion Columnists
- Catholic Columnists
- Contemplative Columnists
- Education and Religion Columnists
- Evangelists Columnists
- Family Parenting and Religion Columnists
- General Christian Columnists
- Health Fitness and Religion Columnists
- Hindu Columnists
- History and Religion Columnists
- Home and Religion Columnists
- Jewish Columnists
- More Voices Columnists
- Latter Day Columnists
- Muslim Columnists
- New Visions Columnists
- Nonreligious Columnists
- Pagan Columnists
- Politics and Religion Columnists
- Progressive Columnists
- Recreation Outdoors and Religion Columnists
- Relationships and Religion Columnists
- Religion News Columnists
- Religious Art Columnists
- Religious Events Columnists
- Religious Music and Entertainment Columnists
- Sports and Religion Columnists
- Style and Religion Columnists
- Technology and Religion Columnists
- Travel and Religion Columnists
- Women in Religion Columnists
Resource Library
- 2026 Calendar
- Library of World Religions
- The 100 Most Holy Places on Earth
- Patheos Answers
- Podcasts
- Videos
- Faith Leaders Database
- Anglican Episcopalian
- Bahai
- Baptist
- Buddhism
- Christianity
- Confucianism
- Eastern Orthodoxy
- Hinduism
- Holiness and Pentecostal
- ISKCON
- Islam
- Judaism
- Lutheran
- Methodist
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- New Age
- Paganism
- Presbytarian and Reformed
- Protestantism
- Religion Behind the Scenes
- Roman Catholic
- Scientology
- Shia Islam
- Sikhism
- Sufism
- Sunni Islam
- Taoism
- Zen
- See all religions
Research Tools
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support
Follow Patheos 
- Trending:
- Forgiveness
- |
- Marriage
- |
- Consciousness
- |
- Death Penalty
- |
- Election
- |
- Halloween
Religion for Breakfast
- Home
- More Voices
- What Is Animism?
What Is Animism?
Last updated on: April 27, 2021 at 11:20 am by Andrew Henry
What Is Animism? 2021-04-27T11:20:19-04:00 Andrew Henry
Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.
Animism comes from the Latin word for ‘soul’ and it is usually associated with religious traditions that are often considered the inverse of big, organized religions with texts, institutions, and doctrine. But is that true? Watch this video to learn more about what animism truly means.
About Andrew Henry
Andrew M. Henry has a PhD from the Graduate Division of Religious Studies at Boston University specializing in Ancient Christianity. Andrew’s research focuses on magical ritual in the late antique Mediterranean with a particular interest in the material evidence of these practices such as ritual space, “magical” artifact assemblages, amulets, and apotropaic inscriptions. You can read more about the author here.
Previous Post
April 20, 2021
The Dome of the Rock, Explained
Next Post
May 4, 2021 What Is The Hagia Sophia?
Browse Our Archives
Select a Category Uncategorized
Select a Month May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021
Follow Us!
TAKE THE
Religious Wisdom Quiz
I sent an army of singers before my army, and God set ambushes against our enemies. Who am I?
Select your answer to see how you score.
David Hezekiah Asa Jehoshaphat
Related posts from Religion for Breakfast
The Dome of the Rock, Explained
The Gospel Of Thomas: Why Is It Not...
Why Do People Leave Their Childhood Religions?
TRENDING AT PATHEOS More Voices
Reading America at 250: A Nation Wrestles With...
As part of my own reflection on the 250th anniversary of the...
Whenever I am reading a book or listening to an argument, I...
President Trump Ban Animal Torture Videos on Facebook
Call for Stricter Regulations of Animal Abuse Content on Facebook Although President...
Draft Amendments to Address Ritual Abuse in New...
The proposed changes would make it illegal for individuals in domestic partnerships...
How Bans on LGBTQ+ Student Clubs Threaten Religious...
On June 20, 2025, the State of Texas passed Senate Bill 12....
The Truth About the Gen Z Revival
This past year, there has been a lot of media buzz surrounding...
view all More Voices blogs
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support
- About Us
- 2026 Calendar
- Videos
- Podcasts
- Library of World Religions
- Faith In Media Tracker
- Advertise With Us
- Write for Us
- Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Do Not Sell My Data
- Contact Us
- Radiant Digital
- Manage Newsletter Subscriptions
- Unsubscribe From Notifications
- Sitemap
Copyright 2008-2026, Patheos. All rights reserved.
Subscription Support Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In
Follow Patheos