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Essay / Essay on Rituals and Religious Beliefs - 1017
One of these is through clans, in which families or communities are organized into groups that identify with multiple spirits that act on various emotions ( 209). There is also totemism, or the idea of being descended from animals, which relies heavily on symbolism (209). Religious affairs may even include shamans believed to communicate directly with the spiritual world through trances or speaking in tongues (210). Religions also often serve to promote social hierarchy, as in countries like ancient Nigeria and Egypt, where kings and pharaohs were considered divine beings (210). Finally, the most widespread form of religion falls into the category of world religions. These tend to be monotheistic, such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam, but can also include Hinduism and Islam.