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Animism is the belief the spirits are connected to plant life, objects, and natural phenomenons(such as a thunderstorm). This belief is considered deviant as it is uncommon in the modern world and is often associated with polytheistic religions, something uncommon in the modern west. Animism is a topic that is important to look at as it is still a common belief in some parts of the world. Indigenous nations often believe in animism alongside a separate religion. Looking into this allows for a glimpse into other cultures' beliefs that your average American may not understand or even heard of.

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Sin.

In the eyes of the monotheistic religions in the west the belief in animism and the supernatural is associated with polytheism. The belief in animism occurs outside of religion yet is tied in with polytheistic religions. A dissection of the difference as to why animism is viewed differently than modern religions can be seen in the following quote: "It is in this sense that the various modes of indigenous religion are viewed a historically. World religions emerge in history, while indigenous religions, being supposedly primordial, do not"(Wilkinson 2016, 291). Animism, a part of the aforementioned indigenous religions, is considered "primordial" and tied into indigenous religions leading to polytheistic ties. These ties make animism a sin in the eyes of monotheistic religions that state that the belief in other gods/idols/religions is sinful.

Selection.

Selection is also able to be argued as the belief in animism is a choice made by an individual in a similar way other religions and beliefs can be chosen. The choice to believe in animism strays from modern norms and is seen as related to polytheism. Therefore, choosing to believe in animism is a choice to become deviant in the eyes of society.

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Looking at communities that traditionally believe in animism they often view their behavior as normal and other behavior as odd. An analysis of one animistic tribe goes as follows: "Casey High suggests that the Waorani view may reflect a new morality, brought on by missionary settlement, in which men are no longer ‘said to be actively trained as killers’ and where ‘openly engaging with jaguar-spirits poses too great a threat to the present ideal of 'community' (comunidad)’ (2012: 140)"(Swancutt 2019, para 28). The deviants view outsiders, in this case Christian missionaries, as hurting their culture and beliefs. It is clear that those who are raised in a culture that believes in animism don't understand why others don't believe the same thing as them. While there aren't many written records of studies on believers of animism outside of indigenous populations, the likelihood that they would be more aware of their deviance is most likely higher. Being raised in a culture with animism being a foreign/untouched belief to the majority of that society would nearly guarantee that the individual(s) who are choosing to believe in it are aware of the deviant status they achieve as a result. Regardless of how they start believing in animism it can be viewed as a "lifelong career" as it is a belief that is meant to be a part of the person just as much as any other religion or belief someone may have.

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Attitude.

The worship of animism is an attitude more than a behavior or condition. The choice to believe in something that is a rare belief that alters one's perception of the world to be unlike that of the general society's perception of the world, is easily definable as an attitude.

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An Analysis from Goffman's View

Goffman would describe animism as a discreditable tribal stigma. Animism is discreditable as a stigma because it is in no way apparent without the believer voicing that they believe in it. As well, tribal stigma is applicable to animism because it is close to a religion and can be spread throughout a family or community. The stigma is associated with a belief system, meaning it can be passed down through generations or around in a community. Normalization for animism believers in societies that the belief isn't a norm in is an easy process. By simply not revealing the belief yet retaining it mentally they appear normal. This makes passing, the act of continuing to hide a stigma over time, easy as well.

Micro Theories

A relativist approach to animism makes complete sense. The approach says deviance is created as a result of societal interactions. The theory is applicable because the belief isn't common among modern and particularly western society, but in the context of indigenous tribes it is not deviant as it is normal in their created culture. As well, the deviance is not easily applicable in non-indigenous societies as it is not easily discredited and an interaction defining animism as deviant would be exceptionally rare.

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Merton's Strain Theory

From the perspective of Merton's strain theory animism fits the category of "ritualism". Merton's theory states that anomie and deviance stem from if a person/group follows cultural goals and if they use legitimate means to achieve their goals. Ritualism is applicable to those who have abandoned cultural goal while still using legitimate means to achieve what they desire. This perfectly describes animism as the belief is separate from western ideals and beliefs, but by no means is illegal. As well, the means to achieve this belief are simply thinking it so believers don't interfere with any laws or the ability for life to continue for others in society.

Animism Achieves Deviance Outside of Theories...

Many macro theories including Merton's focus on the relation of deviance to class. Animism actually defies this notion because it is not class specific nor more likely to appear in one class than another. Animism also is outside the boundaries of Cloward and Ohlin's "Differential Opportunity" macro theory because it isn't related to crime; and in a similar vein animism falls outside of the bounds of Messner and Rosenfield's "Institutional Anomie Theory". In the theory made by Messner and Rosenfield a focus is put on the American Dream, to which animism is the opposite. Animism harps on the value of life and nature while the American Dream discussed in the aforementioned theory focuses on how to gain as much wealth as possible.

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Generally looking at the impacts of animistic believers is hard to do. Most impacts would stem from other people telling them that they don't believe in the same thing which could cause arguments or other forms of conflict. Animism is not a universalizing system, meaning that its purpose does not include pushing other people to believe in it(there is no pressure to convert to it). As a result of these things animism has a relatively low impact on society. Sure, occasional conflict of differing kinds could occur between a believer in animism and another person who disagrees with them, but on a large scale there is no substantial impact that these deviants have on society.

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Goffman. Erving, Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity. New York: Touchstone (Reissue edition). 1986. 2 ISBN: 978-06716224422

Swancutt, Katherine. (2019) 2023. “Animism”. In The Open Encyclopedia of Anthropology, edited by Felix Stein. Facsimile of the first edition in The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Anthropology.(https://www.anthroencyclopedia.com/entry/animism)

Wilkinson, Darryl. 2017. “Is There Such a Thing as Animism” Journal of the American Academy of Religion.Vol. 85, No. 2, pp. 289–311