Is Shamanism Against God? Spirituality Vs Religion

By Alex Assoune May 06, 2025

The question “Is shamanism against God?” taps into centuries of spiritual debate, religious exclusivity, and cultural misunderstanding. Shamanism, one of the world’s oldest spiritual practices, often raises concerns among followers of monotheistic religions who equate its rituals and spirit-based worldview with idolatry or false worship. But is this judgment fair or accurate?

To answer this question, we need to explore what shamanism really is, how different religious traditions view it, and whether shamanic practices necessarily contradict belief in a monotheistic God. As we’ll see, the answer depends largely on how “God” is defined—and whether one’s spirituality allows for multiple paths to the divine.

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What Is Shamanism?

Shamanism refers to a set of ancient spiritual practices used to communicate with the spirit world for healing, guidance, and wisdom. Practiced by indigenous cultures around the world—from Siberia and the Amazon to North America and Africa—shamanism is not a religion in the traditional Western sense. Instead, it is a spiritual methodology or worldview.

Core Elements of Shamanism:

Spiritual Communication: Shamans act as intermediaries between the human and spirit worlds.
Healing: Illness is often seen as a spiritual imbalance. Shamans heal by restoring harmony.
Ritual and Trance: Shamans use drumming, chanting, or plant medicine to enter altered states of consciousness.
Animism: Nature is seen as alive and spiritually interconnected; animals, trees, and mountains may be considered sacred.
No Central God Figure: Shamanism typically involves spirit beings, nature forces, or ancestors rather than a singular all-powerful deity.

This worldview differs greatly from the Abrahamic concept of God—a single, omnipotent, omniscient creator—but that doesn’t automatically make it “against” God.

How Monotheistic Religions View Shamanism

Three major world religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—worship one God and often view spiritual practices outside their traditions with skepticism. Many adherents interpret certain passages in their scriptures as prohibiting or condemning shamanic practices.

1. Christianity

In Christianity, especially among conservative denominations, shamanism is frequently labeled as occult, pagan, or demonic.

Biblical passages often cited include:

Deuteronomy 18:10-12: “Let no one be found among you... who practices divination or sorcery... anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.”
Galatians 5:19-21: Warns against “witchcraft” as a work of the flesh.

From this lens, any spiritual interaction not directed toward the Christian God is viewed as dangerous or heretical. However, some modern theologians and Christians take a more inclusive approach. They argue that indigenous spiritualities should not be dismissed outright and that God's presence may be found in all cultures.

2. Judaism

Traditional Judaism also prohibits divination, spirit-channeling, and necromancy. Like Christianity, it teaches that such practices may lead people away from a pure relationship with God (Yahweh). Yet, Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah) includes visionary and meditative practices that, in some ways, resemble shamanic journeying.

This suggests that context matters—the condemnation is not necessarily against spiritual exploration, but against invoking foreign gods or spirits over the God of Israel.

3. Islam

Islam is strictly monotheistic and forbids shirk—the act of associating partners with Allah. This includes idol worship, spirit invocation, or belief in unseen beings with powers comparable to God.

The Qur’an warns against:

Jinn-worship or communication: Though jinn exist in Islamic theology, seeking help from them is considered haram (forbidden).
Fortune-telling and divination: These are seen as attempts to bypass God's will or knowledge.

That said, Sufi Islam, the mystical branch of the faith, includes spiritual practices that involve visions, spiritual guidance, and healing—somewhat parallel to shamanic techniques.

Shamanism as a Path to God?

While mainstream religious authorities may view shamanism with suspicion, many modern spiritual seekers see it differently. For them, shamanism is not “against God” but rather another way of connecting to the Divine—particularly outside the bounds of institutional religion.

Points to Consider:

Universal Spirituality: Many indigenous belief systems do acknowledge a Great Spirit, Creator, or universal life force. This entity often resembles the monotheistic concept of God.
Not All Shamans Worship “Other Gods”: In many cultures, shamans do not worship spirits but work with them, much like angels or messengers. They ask for healing, not submission.
Shamanism Predates Organized Religion: Shamanic traditions are tens of thousands of years old. They reflect humanity’s earliest attempts to understand the cosmos, life, and suffering. To call these ancient pathways “evil” or “against God” may be a projection of modern religious frameworks onto older systems.
God Beyond Language and Doctrine: Some argue that if God is truly infinite, then no single religion can claim a monopoly on truth. From this perspective, sincere spiritual practice—including shamanism—may be one of many roads to the same source.

The Ethical Dimension

A more meaningful question than “Is shamanism against God?” might be: What are the ethical fruits of shamanic practice?

Jesus said, “By their fruits you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:16). Similarly, in many religious traditions, the test of a spiritual path is not its form, but its outcome:

Does it produce love, compassion, and healing?
Does it foster respect for nature, others, and the sacred?
Does it connect people to a deeper truth beyond ego?

Shamanism, when practiced with integrity and in service to the community, often meets these criteria.

Shamanism and Syncretism

Throughout history, many cultures have blended shamanic practices with monotheistic religion, creating unique forms of spiritual expression:

Curanderos in Latin America mix Catholicism with indigenous healing rituals.
Ethiopian Orthodox Christians may incorporate traditional spirit practices.
Mongolian shamans sometimes reference a Creator being while working with local spirits.

These hybrid spiritual systems suggest that shamanism does not have to be “against” God. Instead, it can complement religious faith, particularly when seen as a tool for healing and wisdom rather than as an alternative deity.

Criticisms and Cautions

It’s important to acknowledge that not all shamanic practices are benign. Like any form of spiritual power, shamanism can be misused:

For manipulation or personal gain
To promote superstition or fear
Without proper training or respect for sacred rituals

From a religious perspective, some people may find shamanism spiritually dangerous not because it is inherently evil, but because it involves spiritual risks—especially when practiced outside of its cultural context.

Conclusion: Is Shamanism Against God?

The short answer: it depends on your definition of “God” and your theological perspective.

If you follow a religion that sees all non-sanctioned spiritual practices as false or forbidden, then yes—shamanism may be viewed as against your understanding of God.

However, if you believe that God is not confined to one tradition, and that sincere spiritual practice can take many forms, then no—shamanism may be seen as one of many ancient paths to divine connection.

Ultimately, shamanism is not about rejecting God, but about seeking healing, meaning, and guidance through the spiritual forces that surround and dwell within nature. Whether those forces are seen as expressions of the Creator or as separate beings is a matter of belief, not fact.

To ask if shamanism is against God is really to ask: Can there be more than one way to know the Divine?

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About the Author: Alex Assoune

Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.

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