I am asking that no Natives answer this question. There are a lot of hokey hucksters out there and I want to see how this has effected the impressions non-natives have of us.
I'm not trying to start any arguments here, I'm just curious about this.
2006-09-27 14:32:31 · 13 answers · asked by greywalkerone 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm probably not unknowing enough to really answer as the average middle America type... (though not saying I know much of anything either...) But I know that NA folks put into only one group have a very wide range of beliefs. That varies between Nations/tribes, those who's beliefs are totally traditional, those that follow a division of Christianity now, and those that have combined the two...
At least that is as far as I have heard and gotten the gist of.
P.S. It is only those of the great Wannabe Nation that likely believe in the Sacred Twinkie. ; ) Don't hit me.
2006-09-27 14:39:59 · answer #1 · answered by Indigo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a funny story about the Hopi tribe but, it doesn't have too much to do with religion other than they have a whole pantheon of myths and legends that make up their beliefs. This is about how the dogs choose a president. A long time ago they had a meeting and it was determined that they needed to elect a president so they decide that the criteria would be that the dog that did not smell beneath the tail would be the president...well, until this day they have not found a president so when you see dogs sniffing each other this is what they are doing.
2006-09-27 14:44:29 · answer #2 · answered by Midge 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The mythology that I've read is in a word, "spectacular."
One of my favorite stories is a Haida Indian tale about how the raven stole the sun and brought it back to the people. This story speaks to magic and the interconnectedness of human beings and the animal kingdom.
Bottom line? I have a great deal of respect for their culture and spirituality. It is not a wash-over all tribes. Each tribe has it's own stories but in general, they are connected to the earth and work in sync with it.
We could learn a great deal from them. Particularly as it pertains to our own relationship with the environment.
2006-09-27 14:59:29 · answer #3 · answered by gjstoryteller 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My thought from a few (very few) convestions is they believe in one great creator of the universe. They additionaly have other spirits and ansestors that occupy the space around us. Mix that in with a little nature worship and you got it.
Don't know how accurate that is, but you wanted our impression I think.
2006-09-27 14:50:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
.They are like other people. They have individual beliefs. The one at my church believes that Jesus is the WAY, Truth. Life and the only way to the Father.
Others believe in animism. Some believe in getting visions from eating peyote buttons. etc. etc. etc.
2006-09-27 14:48:57 · answer #5 · answered by raininmyshoe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on which tribe you're on about, mate, there are a ton of beliefs involving Native American ways.
2006-09-27 14:50:18 · answer #6 · answered by High-strung Guitarist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They used to Believe in the Holy Spirit (Great Spirit) untill they got into witchcraft (medicine men).
2006-09-27 14:35:44 · answer #7 · answered by maguyver727 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
there were many tribes and each had a different slant on things but most believed there was one great spirit but that we could only contact the lesser powers.
2006-09-27 15:27:54 · answer #8 · answered by icheeknows 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The sacred circle of life where all living things are interdependent upon one another and no savior is required....
2006-09-27 14:55:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The great eagle spirit? I'm not sure which group.
2006-09-27 14:50:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋