2. Folk Religions in General
Folk religions are a mixture of local religious ideas and practices often intermingled with animistic beliefs.
They tend to be pragmatically oriented. The most important question from the folk religious perspective is not “It is true?” but “Does it work?”
Often found at the social periphery rather than at the core.
Folk religious beliefs and practices are inherently syncretistic—a blending of the formal with the local.
Though changing with time (as local traditions change), the general orientations to life they offer tend to persist even through major religious change.

3. High and Popular Religions
Religion on the Ground:
Localized religious expressions geared to meet the security needs of life. Minimal or local institutionalism.
High Religion:
Elite Center
Explicated and Institutional Orthodoxy

4. Hiebert’s Analytical Framework
Powers as Personal
Powers as Impersonal
Religion:
Powerful cosmic beings
Religion:
Powerful cosmic forces
Upper Realm:
Unseen and other worldly
Folk Religion:
Spiritual power using local spiritual (unseen) beings
Magic:
Spiritual power using local (unseen) forces
Unseen and this worldly
Middle Realm:
Generally excluded in materialistic cultures
Lower Realm:
Seen and this worldly
Social science:
Personal power through interactive skills
Physical science:
Personal power through manipulation of forces

5. Formal and Folk Religions Compared
Formal or High Religions
Answers cosmic questions: e.g., origin of universe
Written text with fixed system of beliefs
Specialist leadership roles
Formal training Central institutions: church, mosque, temple.
Formalized moral teaching
Informal or Folk Religions
Answers everyday issues: e.g., sickness, drought, war No written text; many local myths and rituals
Specialist practitioner roles
Apprenticeship training
Few, if any, large institutions or trappings
Amoral system; pragmatic emphasis (if it works )