Why am I always torn between Christianity and my Native American religion?

Question

Help! I just can't make up my mind. How do I decide which religion is best? If I choose Christianity, how on Earth do I decide which sect? There are so many of them! How did YOU choose?

Answer 1

i have a native american belief too. i have never felt as though i needed to change my beliefs. if you feel like you need to change and you want to be christian then you will have to investigate the various religions before you choose. this means talking to other people from different faiths and talking to some ministers,fathers, priests, any heads of churches. it is a big step from native american to christianity. good luck and merry christmas.

Answer 2

I believe you are torn between the religions in large part due to the influences of the missionaries in the early part of the Euro-American conquest. Personally, I believe that most, if not all of the non-devil worshiping religions believe in the same God: God, Jehovah, Allah, The Great Spirit, whatever name you wish to give the primary deity. It's kind of like the, "Would a rose by any other name still smell as sweet?" quote. I say: Look into your heart and follow it.

Personally, I chose the path of "Lutheran" because of my belief in Jesus and the belief that we can all access God directly - without another man in the middle. Why "Lutheran" instead of another Protestant religion? I am actually equally at home in many of them. Differences tend to be in the presentation more than anything else. The few in which I'm not are just my heart telling me something's not quite right.

Answer 3

I didn't have to make much of a choice. I am a Religious Scientist. At our church we celebrate many different religions. In our Sanctuary there are banners showing the symbols of many different religions. We learn about the "good stuff" from each of them and incorporate it into our main belief which is "There is one God. It works in and through all things. The nature of that God is Love!"

We say - we are Jewish - and MORE! We are Christian - and MORE. We are Muslim - and MORE! We are Budhist and MORE! And so forth....

The Native American Spirituality offers some beautiful teachings. Christianity is filled with a lot of love too.

Here's what I think. The last thing Spirit (God) wants is for you to have to PICK a religion in order to get closer to It. I mean really - all religion is - is a tool to help you get closer to God. It's very important that you have the right tool(s). And remember - you don't have to pick just one!!

Namaste!

Answer 4

Which makes the most sense? On the one hand you have a Christian God that is three people in one: father, son and holy ghost. Now that may not make a lot of logical or rational sense but you get a lot for your tithe if you have faith the size of a grain of mustard seed. You need a whole lot of faith because it doesn't make any sense.
As for which sect, choose the one that gives the most for the return on your investment. Some say that if you give a dollar you will get 100 in return, some say a thousand.
It seems to me that you should take another look at your Native American religion. It is elegant in its beauty, sensible, more rational and a whole lot more peaceful and sustainable.

Answer 5

Becoming familiar with the Bible is the best way to choose as it is God's letter to us. It doesn't really matter what translation you use as long as you are comfortable with it and you look at it as a whole book from God and not just bits and pieces. God never changes and he is consistant in thought and purpose. Whenever anything seems to contradict that--look deeper--the answer is there. Jehovah's Witnesses have a great Bible study program and you can use your own Bible. Even if you ultimately choose another religion, you will know more about how to examine the Bible than you ever have before.

Answer 6

You do not need to choose. Both of them can be brought together in a good way. True Christianity honors the wisdom of native people. I have met many people who blend these with great faith and integrity because to them the Creator is all encompassing. There are 1,000 ways to interpret the bible and what is most important is what is in your heart and conscience, not what anyone else tells you. Your own relationship with Creator. Having native american heritage is very special, and definitely deserves to be honored. Talk with and listen to your elders if you can and see if this may also help you find your own way.

Answer 7

Before you decide on any white religion, you should study it's history. When it started up, and the theory behind it. I found that Christianity started as a method of controlling people {read about the Crusades}, and from all I see, it still is. Don't know what tribe you are, but the things that my people know {not believe, KNOW] make more sense to me than anything that I have heard from anybody else. Your beliefs are private, unless you make them known, and you do not have to go along with others "just because".

Answer 8

The Bible says that people have always known that God exists, that nature itself provides the clues. The Native American peoples have always believed in the Great Spirit, who oversees the world.
That is a foreshadowing of the true God, who had not yet been revealed to them.
If you would choose a Christian church to join, choose one that uses only the Bible for instruction and practice.
Any church that has introduced traditions and ceremonies that replace or contradict the simple practices and truths of the Bible, has strayed from the path, and is not worthy of your trust.

Answer 9

In our culture we were taught of a Trinity. The Creator, Baby Sender and Baby Thunder.
When my anscestors were born they did not receive a formal name. They were called by a nickname. Than there was a naming ceremony. I believe that Baby Thunder received his name and it is Jesus. I love my culture and now am at peace with it. Our renewing ceremony is this month and I will have 3 of my children dancing. I love the sound of the shells, the smell of the fire, our native tongue, the prayers, the burning of the angelica root, when the men "yelp" like deers. I am so excited about the dance. We are grateful for every living thing. I was taught to respect Mother Earth and to Honor the Creator. Peace out.

Answer 10

Why would you want to change? I am not a Christian, and in my personal opinion, you should stay with your Native American Religion. I consider myself a new-ager/pagan, and I think that many of the things that Christians believe in are simply ridiculous, and in many ways harmful.