Nature worship is a religious practice that has been followed by various cultures throughout history. It is based on the belief that nature is a god, goddess, divine power, or a group of gods that can grant people favors and protect them from evil. Some peoples have worshiped specific natural forces, such as the sun, water, or the winds. In most cases, a community has worshiped the parts of nature most important to the group’s survival. For example, early American Indians in agricultural areas asked the rain god for rain to make their crops grow. See also Animism; May Day; Pantheism; Religion (Religion since 1900).
