Animism: The Seed of Religion

by Edward Clodd

"" The Seed of Religion"" is a book written by Edward Clodd that explores the origins of religion and spiritual beliefs. The book argues that the earliest form of religion was animism, which is the belief that all things, including inanimate objects, have a spirit or soul. Clodd examines the development of animism in different cultures and societies, and how it evolved into more complex religious beliefs over time. The book also discusses the role of animism in shaping human culture, including art, language, and social organization. Overall, "" The Seed of Religion"" provides a comprehensive and insightful look at the origins of spirituality and its impact on human history.1921. Prehuman Elements in Religion; Brain in Animal and Man; Naturalism or Conception of Power Everywhere; Nature of Spirit; Spirits in Inanimate Things; Objects of Worship; Absentee Gods; Maleficent Spirits; Benevolent Gods; Tree and Animal Worship; Stone Worship; Water Worship; Deification and Worship of Ancestors; Bibliography.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Genres: Religion, Philosophy

112 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1996

About the author

In 1840, Edward Clodd was born in England. Although his parents wanted him to become a Baptist minister, Clodd went into banking, working as secretary of the London Joint Stock Bank from 1872-1915. An early Darwin aficionado, the largely self-educated writer set about to make rationalism and science accessible to the masses. In 1872, he wrote Childhood of the World. His influential evolution manual, Story of Creation, was reprinted many times. Clodd worked with the Rationalist Press Association, and delivered the Conway Memorial Lecture in 1910 on "Gibbon and Christianity." His other works include Memories (1916) and The Question: If a Man Die, Shall he Live Again?" (1917).

Clodd was an early follower of the work of Charles Darwin and had personal acquaintance with Thomas Huxley and Herbert Spencer. He wrote biographies of all three men, and worked to popularise evolution through books like The Childhood of the World and The Story of Creation: A Plain Account of Evolution.

Clodd was an agnostic and wrote that the Genesis creation narrative of the Bible is similar to other religious myths and should not be read as a literal account. He wrote many popular books on evolutionary science. He wrote a biography of Thomas Henry Huxley and was a lecturer and popularizer of anthropology and evolution.

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Reviews

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything said here has been said better by Frazer or other olden days anthropologists. But at least its short. More useful for studying European anthropologists than religion. The basic thesis that animism underlies religion seems correct though, and he flags a number of animism's features so that you'll be able to notice it in other anthropological readings, or as a distorted incarnation in modern religions.

[LunarLupine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel pretty mixed about this book. The author has a handful of decent takes in regards to Animism, but then turns around and says some pretty insulting things about people who believe such things. I also felt that when the author mentions his thoughts/examples they should have been expanded on more. I tried to be generous for some of the word choices by reminding myself that certain words we may find insulting were once less frowned upon. There was still plenty of eye rolling while reading this though. It's a short read so I didn't drop it. Just keep in mind when this was written.

[Mafalda Gomes · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible writing. The author is incapable of presenting historical facts without placing his own person input on the matter, pretty much putting down and shaming all sorts and kinds of beliefs. Definitely do not recommend this reading.