My impression is that they have all been converted to Christianity or lost religion all together, but I have no real idea if that is true.
2006-09-09 05:50:38 · 9 answers · asked by the last ninja 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Victor ious:
I'm sorry, but that's simply not true. You clearly need to learn some anthropology.
Humans crossed into the Americas LONG before the Israelite people had even come into being (which was long after the land bridge between Asia and America had disappeared).
2006-09-09 06:08:41 · update #1
I can only address this question from a Canadian point of view because that is where I live. Like all people...
Our Native Canadians have freedom of choice. Some still adhere to the old ways and their original spirituality. Others are members of various religious groups, Christian being one of them. But the Christian aspect of Native experience isn't a good one. Native children suffered in Regional Schools where they were punished if they spoke their own language. They were not allowed to visit with family - essentially being cut off from their cultural roots in an attempt to assimilate them into Canadian society. This assimilation was perpetrated by the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches so there is a rather bitter taste in the mouths of a lot of our Native peoples as a result of their treatment.
Today, there is a resurgence and a welcoming back of the original languages, mythologies, and culture. I personally believe this is a wonder-full thing. They seem to have grabbed hold and had enough remaining elders that the entire culture and way of life was not lost.
If you take a look at Native spirituality, it is, beyond question, one of the most beautiful paths that is also in sync with our Earth Mother. Thankfully, it wasn't lost.
2006-09-09 06:05:42 · answer #1 · answered by gjstoryteller 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are not real brilliant here my friend. The Native Americans have merely lost the Gospel along the way through time. Various Native American Indian ancient stories passed down through the generations shows that they came from the ancient Israelites (Hebrews/Jews) and their generations migrated across many many miles to this continent before the great land divide/drift occurred.
Over the centuries the old original ways were lost amid other ideas and concepts resulting in worship of animals as ancestors and so on - but vastly they recognize "The Great White Spirit" - who was and is the creator of all things, and master of the Spirits.
Many new generation Native Americans will argue this point as some white man's ravings - but these have not heard the old ones nor compared to the Genesis.
I am of Cherokee descent on my mother's side and my father's side by my great grandparents.
I might add - a MISGUIDED form of Christianity came from abroad and FORCED it on the Native Americans. A true Jesus was not taught to them. Jesus is accepted with a willing heart - The Catholics and offshoots forced their beliefs on my people, cruelly ripping the children from their parents even t o the point of orphaning many.
2006-09-09 13:03:47 · answer #2 · answered by Victor ious 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
trying to find a " pure " Native American Religion is almost impossible because the Christian influence happened many, many years ago. however, there are many Native Americans who have incorporated as many of the Ancient Ways as possible into their Christian religious belief system. many practices and beliefs of the Ancient Ways are not totally different from the Christian faith in the first place.
2006-09-09 12:56:20 · answer #3 · answered by Marvin R 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i know some who still practice their original religion but as their way of life dies so does the religion. the two are just tied together so closely.
it is a shmae to lose such a beautiful thing as one's culture. especially one as beauiful as that.
2006-09-09 12:55:14 · answer #4 · answered by JaSam 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Nobody wants to hear it. But all of mans religions today, are
nothing but people going through the motions. With no real love for anyone but themselves.
As long as you agree with people, they love you. But if you
disagree about something, they hate your guts.
2006-09-09 12:58:30 · answer #5 · answered by Medicine Eddie 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
our religion was forbidden by the white government, so we were forced into Christianity. that was the same time they kicked us off our land and tried to send us to reservation. in fact since my tribe refused to moved to a reservation the army was ordered to murder us, but they were not successful.
2006-09-09 12:56:21 · answer #6 · answered by native 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Not me. And I have rejected christianity
2006-09-09 12:53:21 · answer #7 · answered by CJunk 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Which one they took that Christianiy there with them
2006-09-09 12:53:26 · answer #8 · answered by Julia 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
No, and it's too bad.
2006-09-09 12:58:14 · answer #9 · answered by cb 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋