This is a discussion that often sparks heated debate within shamanic circles. Even the academic communities have trouble agreeing on this. So what is it that makes shamanism a religion? We have taken a closer look at this.
We take as our starting point the following recognized models of religion
Ninian Smart
Rudolf Otto
Clifford Geertz
Shamanism is a complex and diverse practice that is often misunderstood as an unorganized or dogmatically free approach to spirituality. But by analyzing shamanism through different models of religion, we can argue that shamanism is in fact a religion, even though it does not always fit into traditional definitions.
Shamanism is a diverse practice that cannot be understood as a monolithic religion. It contains several directions and traditions, especially in the context of the Nordic countries, where Sami, Norse, Kven and Forest Finnish shamanism have their own unique gods and goddesses. This diversity is evident in the various pantheons found in these traditions.
Sami shamanism
In Sami mythology there is a rich diversity of gods and goddesses who watch over different aspects of life:
Beaivi: The sun goddess, regarded as a central force for growth and health. According to the myth, the reindeer came to Earth along the rays of the sun.
Rádienáhttje: The highest god and creator, representing the sky.
Máttaráhkká: Mother goddess of earth and fertility, who creates the human body and protects women during childbirth.
Horagállis (Dearpmis): Thunder god who rules over lightning, thunder, wind and weather, as well as the life and death of human beings.
Sáráhkká: Daughter of Máttaráhkká, goddess of fertility and birth.
Bieggolmmái: Wind god who governs the weather.
These deities show how Sami shamanism is deeply connected to nature and the needs of society.
Norse shamanism
Norse shamanism also contains a rich pantheon:
Odin: The chief god, known for his wisdom and his ability to travel between worlds.
Freya: Goddess of love, fertility and war, with strong connections to magic.
Thor: Thunder god who protects against chaos and disorder.
Norse shamanism has elements of seid, a form of magic that involved contact with the spirit world.
Kven and Forest Finnish tradition
Kven and Forest Finnish shamanism also have their own specific deities:
Ukko: The supreme god in Finnish mythology, often associated with the weather.
Akka: Mother goddess of fertility in Kven tradition.
These traditions show that there is a broad spectrum of belief and practice within shamanism in the Nordic region.
Shamanism is not a uniform religion; it is characterized by a diversity of traditions with unique gods and goddesses. This diversity reflects the different cultural contexts in which shamanism is practiced. By recognizing the variations in Sami, Norse, Kven and Forest Finnish shamanism, we can better understand the rich spirituality that exists within this practice.
Shamanism as a religion
Ninian Smart's model of religion
Ninian Smart's model of religion, which identifies seven dimensions of religion, provides a useful framework for understanding shamanism as a religion. These dimensions include:
Ritual and practical dimensions: Shamanism has clear ritual practices, such as drumming, dance and techniques for achieving altered states of consciousness. These rituals are central to the shaman's work and to the spiritual life of the community.
Experiential and emotional dimensions: Shamanic experiences, such as trance and visions, provide strong emotional and mystical experiences. This is in line with what many consider to be religious experiences.
Narrative or mythic dimensions: Shamanism has a rich mythological foundation with stories about spirit worlds and cosmology, which gives depth to shamanic practice.
Doctrinal and philosophical dimensions: Although shamanism lacks a common set of dogmas, it contains fundamental philosophical ideas such as animism and pantheism, which provide a structured understanding of the world.
Ethical and legal dimensions: Shamanism has ethical principles, such as respect for nature, even though these are less formalized than in many other religions.
Social and institutional dimensions: Traditionally, shamans have held important roles in their communities. In a modern context there are organizations such as Sjamanistisk Forbund, which function as faith communities2.
Material dimensions: Shamanism has material expressions through ritual objects and sacred natural sites.
These dimensions show that shamanism fulfills many of the requirements to be classified as a religion.
Official recognition
In Norway, Sjamanistisk Forbund was officially approved as a faith community in 2012, which gives it rights and privileges typical of established religions. This includes the right to perform life-cycle rituals, state financial support and formal legal status as a faith community. This recognition strengthens the argument that shamanism can be regarded as a religion.
Sjamanistisk Forbund recognizes the divine as the Creative Force (Skaperkraften), a central concept in both the bylaws and the creed. The Creative Force represents the universal energy that permeates all life, and expresses itself in the manifold unfolding of life. This concept is essential to understanding the core values and practices of shamanism.
The Creative Force in the creed
According to the community's creed, the Creative Force is not merely an abstract idea, but a concrete reality that binds all living beings together. Members of Sjamanistisk Forbund recognize that they are interconnected with all that lives, and that each individual has a responsibility for their fellow creatures, including nature beings and Mother Earth. This perspective encourages respect for all parts of the Web of Life, in which all life is regarded as sacred.
Individual practice and collective responsibility
The community emphasizes that the individual relationship between the member and the Creative Force is unique. Members are encouraged to explore their own shamanic practice without strict guidelines, but at the same time they must relate to the statutes of purpose that emphasize collective responsibility. This allows for a personal approach to spirituality, in which each individual can draw lessons and insight through sacred techniques.
A living tradition
Sjamanistisk Forbund sees itself as a tradition bearer of a Nordic shamanic cultural heritage, with roots in both Sami and Norse tradition. The Creative Force is therefore not merely a theological concept, but a living part of a practice that develops in step with society. Through ceremonies, ritual acts and community work, the unfolding of life force is celebrated, which gives members a deeper understanding of their place in the world.
Diversity in shamanism
It is important to note that shamanism is not a monolithic religion; it varies considerably from culture to culture and from place to place. Each shamanic tradition may have its own unique practices, beliefs and ritual elements. This diversity is part of its strength, as it allows shamanism to adapt to different cultural contexts while maintaining its essence.
Shamanism cannot be understood through traditional definitions of religion alone; it must be seen in light of its ritual practices, experiences, mythological content and ethical principles. By using Ninian Smart's model of religion together with the recognition of Sjamanistisk Forbund as a faith community, we can conclude that shamanism is a religion – a living, dynamic faith with deep roots in human experience and the mysteries of nature.
Shamanism as a method
Shamanism can be understood both as a method for personal development and healing, and as a religion with its own beliefs and rituals. We understand, and have ourselves experienced, that the term "religion" can carry many connotations for different people. For many, religion can be associated with a condemnatory morality imposed on people, which can create resistance to traditional religious systems.
When we view shamanism as a method, we focus on techniques such as meditation, dream interpretation and trance, which can help individuals achieve deeper self-insight and mental clarity. When shamanism is used in this way, it is important to leave out elements such as the Pantheon and spirits. These aspects are often tied to specific cultural and religious traditions, and by removing them shamanism can become more universal and accessible to everyone, regardless of background or belief.
Thus shamanism can function both as a valuable method for personal growth and as a religion. But when it is used as a method, it allows for a secular approach in which the individual can make use of shamanic techniques for self-reflection and healing without having to relate to a particular set of beliefs or moral requirements. This respects the diversity of human experience and belief, while at the same time leaving room for personal freedom and exploration.
