Why is nature worship difficult to document as a complete and separate religious system?

Nature worship is difficult to document as a complete and separate religious system because the concept of "nature" as a unified totality is largely a philosophical or poetic construct developed by advanced civilizations, rather than a universal religious category.1

Among many indigenous peoples, there is no overarching concept of nature as a single entity. Instead, individuals typically venerate or placate specific, discrete natural phenomena—such as the sun, rain, animals, or fire—that are perceived as forces directly influencing their lives. Because these practices often focus on urgent, practical concerns like securing food or curing illness rather than abstract metaphysical systems, they do not readily coalesce into a singular, formalized religion.12

Furthermore, the term "nature worship" is primarily a scholarly label used within the modern study of religion to categorize diverse, localized traditions. Because these traditions are often characterized by openness, eclecticism, and a lack of centralized dogma, they rarely fit the criteria of a unified, distinct religious system. Consequently, what scholars describe as nature worship is often better understood as a collection of varied, context-specific interactions with the environment.12