Native religions, full of dynamism and color, are often misinterpreted or considered primitive. Here are some examples: Animism, a belief system that dates back to early humans and is still in practice today. It is believed to be a dangerous shamanic religious practice and viewed negatively. Buddhism, a religion that people say is only practiced by the environmentalists and “hippies” of the world. The reality is that this practice is practiced by the majority of East Asian countries. It has a powerful spiritual leader who has done much to raise awareness of his country's suffering. And Vodou, which is misinterpreted as a dangerous and violent religion where people participate in sacrificial rituals and wild sexual orgies. It is actually a religion that helps the Haitian people survive and thrive. The world's indigenous religions are extremely important to the people who participate in them and should be understood and respected. Animism is the root of most religions. The concept or idea that all things have a soul is inherent in most religions. This fundamental belief combined with the practice of shamanism has been misunderstood. The belief that all things have a soul is linked to occultism and magic. Shamanism is wrongly considered dangerous and ritual violence. Ignorance of how these indigenous beliefs and rituals are practiced in animism has led to fear and rejection of animism as a cultural belief system. Animism has a lot to do with death and the afterlife. It shares the belief with many religions that spirits leave the physical body to another location at the time of death. If you were a good person and were buried by your village or town, you would go to a place where all crops are still fertile and join your...... middle of paper...... t Wisdom. " My Webspace Files. January 12, 2009. Bunson, Matthew. Wisdom Teachings of the Dalai Lama. New York: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated, 1998. Burtt, Edwin Arthur. Teachings of the Compassionate Buddha: Early Discourses, the Dhammapada, and Scripture later basis. New York: NAL Trade, 2000. Koller, John M. Oriental Philosophies New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1970. “The Sino-Tibet Conflict: The Need for Historical Decisions - www.phayul.com” Phayul.com -. Tibet News and Views January 12, 2009. "The Eight Fold Path Boloji.com - A Study in Diversity - News, Views, Analysis, Literature, Poetry, Reports - Speak Out January 12.. 2009 .