DOCSLIB.ORG

The Faithful Skeptics: Conservative Christian Religious Beliefs and Perceptions of Climate Change

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Faithful Skeptics: Conservative Christian Religious Beliefs and Perceptions of Climate Change University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2010 The Faithful Skeptics: Conservative Christian Religious Beliefs and Perceptions of Climate Change Wylie Allen Carr The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Carr, Wylie Allen, "The Faithful Skeptics: Conservative Christian Religious Beliefs and Perceptions of Climate Change" (2010). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 1013. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/1013 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE FAITHFUL SKEPTICS: CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PERCEPTIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE By WYLIE ALLEN CARR Bachelor of Arts, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, 2006 Thesis Presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science In Resource Conservation The College of Forestry and Conservation at The University of Montana Missoula, Montana May 2010 Approved by: Perry Brown, Associate Provost for Graduate Education Graduate School Michael Patterson, Chair Society and Conservation Laurie Yung Society and Conservation Daniel Spencer Environmental Studies COPYRIGHT by Wylie Allen Carr 2010 All Rights Reserved Abstract Carr, Wylie, M.S., Spring, 2010 Resource Conservation The Faithful Skeptics: Conservative Christian Religious Beliefs and Perceptions of Climate Change Chairperson: Michael Patterson, Ph.D. Global climate change presents one of the most challenging ecological and social problems facing the world today. In order to prevent potentially harmful ecological and social impacts from rising global average temperatures, Americans will need to drastically reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 2050; our willingness to do so though is questionable as opinion poll data suggests that addressing climate change remains an extremely low priority for most Americans. Social scientists from across a variety of disciplines have suggested a number of reasons why this may be case; however very few have focused on the ways that religious beliefs are contributing to American perceptions of, and responses to, climate change despite the fact that opinion polls also indicate that conservative Christians are one of the most skeptical demographic cohorts in America when it comes to this particular issue. Recognizing that theologically conservative Christians compose a socially and politically influential population in America, this study investigates the relationship between conservative Christian faith and conservative Christian perceptions of climate change. Using data collected through 35 in-depth interviews with conservative Christians in Dallas, Texas and a hermeneutic approach to interview analysis, this study proposes first that conservative Christian faith does impact adherents’ perceptions of climate change. More specifically, the results of this study suggest five religious beliefs that appear to influence conservative Christians’ views on climate change; these beliefs include biblical inerrancy, God’s sovereignty, human sinfulness, eschatology, and evangelism. These five beliefs do not contribute to participant perceptions of climate change uniformly though. Rather the results suggest ways in which religious beliefs interact with other important factors, leading to a wide range of views on climate change in the sample. These perspectives on climate change range from complete dismissal of its existence to real concern and active engagement including lifestyle changes to reduce carbon emissions. Based on these findings, this study suggests several ways to proceed with both social science research on the intersection between religion and environmental issues and climate change advocacy geared at conservative faith communities. iii Acknowledgements I am greatly indebted to a number of people who made this research possible. Many thanks first to the 36 individuals in the Dallas metro area who so graciously granted me interviews. You welcomed me into your churches, homes, and places of business with smiles and spoke openly with me about very personal beliefs and opinions. The kindness that you showed me serves as a testament to the sincerity with which you live out your faith; Godspeed to you all. I also want to express my gratitude to the professors in the College of Forestry and the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Montana whose courses shaped and refined my thinking about the topics explored in this project. I want to specifically thank the Society and Conservation faculty for supporting my academic efforts with several different scholarships and assistantships and Dr. Daniel Williams and the U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station in particular for your interest and support over the past year. I would additionally like to thank my fellow graduate students in the department of Society and Conservation for the commiseration and encouragement both in and out of the classroom. I owe many thanks to both Dr. Daniel Spencer and Dr. Laurie Yung first for challenging me in the classroom through two of the most interesting and well instructed courses offered at the University of Montana, and second for their invaluable encouragement and feedback on this project as members of my advising committee. Laurie and Dan, you have inspired me to carry on in academia and I look forward to continuing professional and personal relationships with you both in the years to come I cannot possibly thank the third member of my committee, and my advisor, Dr. Michael Patterson enough for the role he has played in this thesis project and my entire graduate student experience. Thank you Mike for taking a chance on a Religious Studies major from the wrong school in Virginia. Thank you for searching high and low for financial support for my studies. Thank you for including me in your own research projects and, in the process, allowing me to learn from your infinite wisdom regarding social science. Thank you for the countless hours of meetings, reading very rough drafts, and preparing the thoughtful responses and comments that made this project possible. Finally, and most importantly, thank you for your encouragement and guidance throughout my graduate studies, you have been much more than an advisor to me, you have been a mentor and friend. If someday I am able to play the same role in a student’s life that you have played in mine, I would consider my teaching career a great success. In addition to my academic family, this research would not have been possible without the support of my parents and siblings; the most enjoyable aspect of my fieldwork was undoubtedly the time I got to spend with you all. Thank you for your unflinching and unfailing encouragement. Finally, I want to thank my wife Austen. You have been the creative thought and motivating force behind much of this research. Thank you. I love you. iv Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements......................................................................................................................... iv Tables and Figures .......................................................................................................................... ix Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 Project Justification ...................................................................................................................... 1 Research Objectives ..................................................................................................................... 3 What Lies Ahead .......................................................................................................................... 3 Chapter 2: Literature Review ........................................................................................................... 5 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 5 Research on Public Perceptions of Climate Change .................................................................... 5 Research on the Relationship Between Religion and Environmental Concern ........................... 8 Secondary Sources ..................................................................................................................... 13 Speaking Back - Potential Implications of this Study ................................................................. 14 Summary .................................................................................................................................... 15 Chapter 3: Methods ....................................................................................................................... 16 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Young Americans to Emotional Rescue: Selected Meetings
    YOUNG AMERICANS TO EMOTIONAL RESCUE: SELECTING MEETINGS BETWEEN DISCO AND ROCK, 1975-1980 Daniel Kavka A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate College of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF MUSIC August 2010 Committee: Jeremy Wallach, Advisor Katherine Meizel © 2010 Daniel Kavka All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT Jeremy Wallach, Advisor Disco-rock, composed of disco-influenced recordings by rock artists, was a sub-genre of both disco and rock in the 1970s. Seminal recordings included: David Bowie’s Young Americans; The Rolling Stones’ “Hot Stuff,” “Miss You,” “Dance Pt.1,” and “Emotional Rescue”; KISS’s “Strutter ’78,” and “I Was Made For Lovin’ You”; Rod Stewart’s “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy“; and Elton John’s Thom Bell Sessions and Victim of Love. Though disco-rock was a great commercial success during the disco era, it has received limited acknowledgement in post-disco scholarship. This thesis addresses the lack of existing scholarship pertaining to disco-rock. It examines both disco and disco-rock as products of cultural shifts during the 1970s. Disco was linked to the emergence of underground dance clubs in New York City, while disco-rock resulted from the increased mainstream visibility of disco culture during the mid seventies, as well as rock musicians’ exposure to disco music. My thesis argues for the study of a genre (disco-rock) that has been dismissed as inauthentic and commercial, a trend common to popular music discourse, and one that is linked to previous debates regarding the social value of pop music.
    [Show full text]
  • Sexuality Education for Mid and Later Life
    Peggy Brick and Jan Lunquist New Expectations Sexuality Education for Mid and Later Life THE AUTHORS Peggy Brick, M.Ed., is a sexuality education consultant currently providing training workshops for professionals and classes for older adults on sexuality and aging. She has trained thousands of educators and health care professionals nationwide, is the author of over 40 articles on sexuality education, and was formerly chair of the Board of the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS). Jan Lunquist, M.A., is the vice president of education for Planned Parenthood Centers of West Michigan. She is certified as a sexuality educator by the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. She is also a certified family life educator and a Michigan licensed counselor. During the past 29 years, she has designed and delivered hundreds of learning experiences related to the life-affirming gift of sexuality. Cover design by Alan Barnett, Inc. Printing by McNaughton & Gunn Copyright 2003. Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS), 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036-7802. Phone: 212/819-9770. Fax: 212/819-9776. E-mail: [email protected] Web site: http://www.siecus.org 2 New Expectations This manual is dedicated to the memory of Richard Cross, M.D. 1915-2003 “What is REAL?” asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender before Nana came to tidy the room. “Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?” “Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse.
    [Show full text]
  • The Influence of Islam on Albanian Culture
    The Influence of Islam on Albanian Culture Fatmir Shehu ∗ Abstract This paper examines the influence of Islam on Albanian culture. The Islamization process of the Albanian culture was very crucial for the Albanians themselves as it gave them a new identity, which they lacked since their settlement on the Adriatic shores. According to history, Albanians, the biggest Muslim nation dwelling in the Balkans, South-East of Europe, are believed to be the descendents of the ancient Illyrians, who settled in Europe around 2500 years ago. They lived a social life based on tribalism, where every tribe had established its own cultural system and way of life. Thus, their cultural differences disallowed them to unite. Such situation did not change, even when Christianity was introduced to them. Because, Christianity came to Albania through two great dominations: Christian Catholics of Vatican (the Northern part of Albanian) and Christian Orthodox of Greece (the Southern part of Albania). The continuous religious and political suppression faced by the Albanians from their Byzantine and Latin masters enabled them to be the first people of the Balkans, who welcomed openheartedly the Ottoman Muslims and embraced Islam as their new way of life in the 15th century. The study focuses on the following issues: (1) Historical background of Albania and Albanians; (2) The genesis of Albanian culture; and (3) The process of integration between Islamic culture and Albanian culture. This research attempts to provide important findings, which will be very helpful to the Muslims and others. Abstrak Karya ini mengkaji pengaruhan Islam terhadap budaya Albania. Proses pengislaman budaya Albania adalah amat penting kepada orang-orang Albania sendiri kerana ia telah memberi mereka suatu identiti baru yang mereka kekurangan sejak penempatan mereka di pesisiran Adriatic.
    [Show full text]
  • The Higher Aspects of Greek Religion. Lectures Delivered at Oxford and In
    BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME FROM THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIET OF Henirg m. Sage 1891 .A^^^ffM3. islm^lix.. 5931 CornelJ University Library BL 25.H621911 The higher aspects of Greek religion.Lec 3 1924 007 845 450 The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924007845450 THE HIBBERT LECTURES SECOND SERIES 1911 THE HIBBERT LECTURES SECOND SERIES THE HIGHER ASPECTS OF GREEK RELIGION LECTURES DELIVERED AT OXFORD AND IN LONDON IN APRIL AND MAY igii BY L. R. FARNELL, D.Litt. WILDE LECTURER IN THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD LONDON WILLIAMS AND NORGATE GARDEN, W.C. 14 HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT 1912 CONTENTS Lecture I GENERAL FEATURES AND ORIGINS OF GREEK RELIGION Greek religion mainly a social-political system, 1. In its earliest " period a " theistic creed, that is^ a worship of personal individual deities, ethical personalities rather than mere nature forces, 2. Anthrqgomorphism its predominant bias, 2-3. Yet preserving many primitive features of " animism " or " animatism," 3-5. Its progress gradual without violent break with its distant past, 5-6. The ele- ment of magic fused with the religion but not predominant, 6-7. Hellenism and Hellenic religion a blend of two ethnic strains, one North-Aryan, the other Mediterranean, mainly Minoan-Mycenaean, 7-9. Criteria by which we can distinguish the various influences of these two, 9-1 6. The value of Homeric evidence, 18-20. Sum- mary of results, 21-24. Lecture II THE RELIGIOUS BOND AND MORALITY OF THE FAMILY The earliest type of family in Hellenic society patrilinear, 25-27.
    [Show full text]
  • WHAT YOU NEED to KNOW ABOUT DATING VIOLENCE a TEEN’S HANDBOOK “I Think Dating Violence Is Starting at a Younger Age
    WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DATING VIOLENCE A TEEN’S HANDBOOK “I think dating violence is starting at a younger age. It happened to me when I was 14 and I didn’t know what to do. We were friends, and then we started becoming closer. One day, he tried to push himself onto me physically. I didn’t tell anyone for months. I was embarrassed. When I finally told people, the more I talked about it the better I felt. My friend said, ‘You have to remember that you don’t deserve people taking advantage of you.’ A lot of my friends said stuff to him, and it made him feel really stupid about what he had done. The more I talked about it, the more I heard that this stuff happens but it’s not your fault.” — A. R., age 17 table of contents 3 to our teenage friends 4 chapter one: summer’s over 7 chapter two: risky business 10 chapter three: no exit? 14 chapter four: a friend in need 20 chapter five: taking a stand 25 for more information “I’m sorry,” he says, taking her hand. “It’s just that I miss you when you’re not around. I’m sorry I lost my temper.” Excerpted from chapter two. to our teenage friends Your teen years are some of the most exciting and challenging times in your life. You’re meeting new people, forming special friendships and making lifelong decisions. Some of these decisions may involve dating. And while dating can be one of the best things about being a teenager, it brings a host of new feelings and experiences — not all of them good.
    [Show full text]
  • An Observation and Analysis of Mongolia's
    Saldarriaga 1 Spirituality in Limbo: An Observation and Analysis of Mongolia’s Modern Religious Climate Dustin Saldarriaga Academic Director: Ulziijargal Sanjaasuren Hirgis Munkh-Ochir (Advisor) School for International Training: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Fall 2004 Saldarriaga 2 Dedicated to Mom, Al, and Jason for giving me the curiosity, courage, and opportunity to travel across the world to a country they had heard of only in legends. Saldarriaga 3 I would like to thank… Delgermaa for her wonderful and consistent work as my translator who never hesitated to share Tsetserleg with me. The various individuals throughout the semester who shared their homes with me and made my experience truly unique and amazing. A special “thank you” goes to Tomorbaatar, Enkhtuya, and Bilguun for sharing their beautiful home and putting up with me for well over a month in UB. Bat-Gerel and Pastor Bayraa, who shared with me the passion and love behind the religions to which they dedicated their lives—a simple “thank you” is just not enough. Dashzeveg and Bulganchimeg, who made my time in Tsetserleg possible through their time and help. It was comforting to know they were always just a phone call away. Professor Munkh-Ochir, who always gave me new ideas or perspectives to consider, whether through his lectures, readings, or advice. Mom Ulzii, Pop Ulzii, Baatar, Saraa, Ariuna, TJ, and Inghe, who provided me with wonderful assistance, preparations, and opportunities. It’s not appropriate to try to summarize in a tiny paragraph the assistance and contributions you all shared over the course of the semester. I am grateful, to say the least.
    [Show full text]
  • Rhythm, Dance, and Resistance in the New Orleans Second Line
    UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Los Angeles “We Made It Through That Water”: Rhythm, Dance, and Resistance in the New Orleans Second Line A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Ethnomusicology by Benjamin Grant Doleac 2018 © Copyright by Benjamin Grant Doleac 2018 ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION “We Made It Through That Water”: Rhythm, Dance, and Resistance in the New Orleans Second Line by Benjamin Grant Doleac Doctor of Philosophy in Ethnomusicology University of California, Los Angeles, 2018 Professor Cheryl L. Keyes, Chair The black brass band parade known as the second line has been a staple of New Orleans culture for nearly 150 years. Through more than a century of social, political and demographic upheaval, the second line has persisted as an institution in the city’s black community, with its swinging march beats and emphasis on collective improvisation eventually giving rise to jazz, funk, and a multitude of other popular genres both locally and around the world. More than any other local custom, the second line served as a crucible in which the participatory, syncretic character of black music in New Orleans took shape. While the beat of the second line reverberates far beyond the city limits today, the neighborhoods that provide the parade’s sustenance face grave challenges to their existence. Ten years after Hurricane Katrina tore up the economic and cultural fabric of New Orleans, these largely poor communities are plagued on one side by underfunded schools and internecine violence, and on the other by the rising tide of post-disaster gentrification and the redlining-in- disguise of neoliberal urban policy.
    [Show full text]
  • Earth and Nature-Based Spirituality: from Deep Ecology to Radical
    Religion (2001) 31, 175–193 doi:10.1006/reli.2000.0256, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on Earth and Nature-Based Spirituality (Part I): From Deep Ecology to Radical Environmentalism B T Earth and nature-based spirituality is proliferating globally. In Part I of this study, I argue that although participants in countercultural movements often eschew the label religion, these are religious movements, in which these persons find ultimate meaning and transformative power in nature. Focusing on the deep ecology movement, I further argue that (1) experiences of nature spirituality are evoked by practices as diverse as mountaineering, neo-shamanic ritualising and states of consciousness induced by hallucinogens; (2) earthen spiritualities are often contested and may be viewed as inauthentic or dangerous by practitioners of other forms of nature spirituality; and (3) despite significant diversity, a sense of connection and belonging to nature (sometimes personified as a transforming, if not transcendent power) unites these cross-fertilising and sometimes competing spiritualities. Part II examines additional forms of nature-oriented religion, searching further for continuities, discon- tinuities and ironies among its diverse forms. 2001 Academic Press Question: ‘What are your spiritual beliefs?’ Answer: ‘Well, I believe in the cosmos. All of us are linked to the cosmos. Look at the sun. If there is no sun, then we cannot exist. So nature is my god. To me, nature is sacred. Trees are my temples and forests are my cathedrals’ Mikhail Gorbachev (1997) Monkeywrenching or ‘ecotage’ is ‘a form of worship toward the earth. It’s really a very spiritual thing to go out and do .
    [Show full text]
  • Bouncy Rhymes Giddyap, Giddyap Giddyap, Giddyap, Ride to Town Giddyap, Giddyap, up and Down
    Bouncy Rhymes Giddyap, Giddyap Giddyap, giddyap, ride to town Giddyap, giddyap, up and down. 1,2,3 Baby’s On My Knee Giddyap fast 1,2,3 baby’s on my Knee Giddyap slow 1,2,3,4 WHOOPS! Giddyap, giddyap, giddyap, WHOA! Baby’s on the floor! Grandfather Clock Acka Backa The grandfather clock goes tick tock, tick tock, Acka backa soda cracker tick tock, tick tock ( rock side to side) Acaka backa boo The kitchen clock goes tick tock, tick tock, tick Acka backa soda cracker tock, tick tock (a little faster) Up goes you! But mommy’s little watch goes Tick-a, Tick-a, Acka backa soda cracker tick-a, tick-a, tick-a (bounce faster or give a Acka backa boo tickle) Acka backa soda cracker I love you! Granny and Momma Granny and Momma and a horse named May A Froggy Sat on a Log Crossed the River one fine day A froggy sat on a log Granny jumped off – SPLASH A-weeping for his daughter Momma jumped off – SPLASH His eyes were red And the horse named May just galloped away, His tears he shed away, away, away! And he fell right into the water. Grand Old Duke of York Boing, Boing Squeak The Grand Old Duke of York Boing, boing squeak He had ten thousand men Boing, boing squeak He marched them to the top of the hill A bouncy mouse was in the house And he marched them down again. She’s been here for a week When they were up they were up She bounces in the kitchen When they were down they were down She bounces in the den And when they were only half way up She bounces in the living room They were neither up nor down.
    [Show full text]
  • Clapping Games General Descriptions Apple on a Stick
    Clapping games The material in this document derives from two sources. Some of it is cited directly from the material supplied by school students in response to Section 7 of the original questionnaire. Some of it is material provided by students during school visits. This material varies considerably in the degree to which it is a direct citation of what was said, or a digest of the information provided. General Descriptions W12 A variety of rhymes accompanied by a combination of claps with yourself and a partner or round a circle. K25 – visit material Clapping games demonstrated, but words minimal. Apple on a Stick R4 In this clapping game you just have to repeat the actions over and over again. The rhyme goes like this: Apple on a stick Makes me sick My heart beat 2-4-6 Not because you’re dirty Not because you’re clean Not because you kiss the boys Behind the magazine. The boys boys having fun Here comes a lady with some blueberry buns She can wriggle She can rock She can even do the splitz But I bet ya 10 bucks She can’t do this Close your eyes and count to 10 If you make a mistake You’re a big fat hen. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 You did/didn’t make a mistake So that’s the end And we are friends. V8-AK1 – visit material Apple on a stick Makes me sick ©Laurie and Winifred Bauer 2002 1 NZ Playground Language Clapping Games Makes my heart beat two four six, Not because it's dirty Not because it's clean, Just because I kissed a boy Behind a magazine.
    [Show full text]
  • Eco-Spirituality: Perhaps the Vatican Should Be Worried About Nature Worship
    Eco-spirituality: Perhaps the Vatican should be worried about nature worship The Catholic Church was offended by the green spirituality of Avatar, but the movie reflects a real-world shift to nature-based religions. If the Vatican feels threatened by the promotion of nature worship, it may have cause, says religion professor Bron Taylor. By Adriana Barton Globe and Mail | Published on Monday, Jan. 25, 2010, also online with public comments. On the fictitious world of Pandora, Avatar director James Cameron unleashed many terrible things: greed, brutality and a bewildering array of savage beasts, not to mention a biotech means of going native that Grey Owl (the Victorian “Indian”) could only dream of. None of this alarmed the Catholic Church. Rather, it was Pandora’s message of hope and faith in the interconnectedness of life that put the church on high alert. Vatican Radio chastised the film for presenting nature as “a divinity to worship” and for promoting “all those pseudo-doctrines that turn ecology into the religion of the millennium.” At least the Vatican isn’t out of touch. According to Bron Taylor, author of the new book Dark Green Religion, nature-based spirituality is not only undergoing a renaissance – it’s giving religious institutions a run for their money. Western society is in a dramatic shift away from monotheism, notes Dr. Taylor, professor of religion at the University of Florida. And in many cases, he says, former believers are turning to Mother Earth to fill the spiritual void. He cites findings that large numbers of people in Europe and the United States express “deep trust in nature as inherently spiritual or sacred.” The trend is obvious on the West Coast.
    [Show full text]
  • Nature Worship
    © IJCIRAS | ISSN (O) - 2581-5334 March 2019 | Vol. 1 Issue. 10 NATURE WORSHIP haobam bidyarani devi international girl's hostel, manipur university, imphal, india benevolent and malevolent spirits who had to be Abstract appeased through various forms of sacrifice. Nature Worship Haobam Bidyarani Devi, Ph.D. Student, Dpmt. Of History, Manipur University Keyword: Ancestors, Communities, Nature, Abstract: Manipur is a tiny state of the North East Offerings, Sacrifices, Souls, Spiritual, Supreme Being, region of India with its capital in the city of Imphal. Worshiped. About 90% of the land is mountainous. It is a state 1.INTRODUCTION inhabited by different communities. While the tribals are concentrated in the hill areas, the valley Manipur is a tiny state of the North East region of India of Imphal is predominantly inhabited by the Meiteis, with its capital in the city of Imphal. About 90% of the followed by the Meitei Pangals (Muslim), Non land is mountainous. It is a state inhabited by different Manipuris and a sizable proportion of the tribals. communities. While the tribals are concentrated in the During the reign of Garibniwaz in the late 18th hill areas, the valley of Imphal is predominantly century, the process of Sanskritisation occurred in inhabited by the Meiteis, followed by the Meitei Pangals the valley and the Meitei population converted en (Muslim), Non Manipuris and a sizable proportion of the masse to Hinduism. The present paper is primarily tribals. During the reign of Garibniwaz in the late 18th focused on Nature worship and animism, belief and century, the process of Sanskritisation occurred in the sacrifices performed by the various ethnic groups in valley and the Meitei population converted en masse to Manipur.
    [Show full text]