What did the native americans believe in before they converted to christianity?

Question

I am native american and confused, I consider myself athiest, I used to be christian but it's not for me, can someone tell me what we believed in before christianity?

Answer 1

I am a Native woman.

First of all, every tribe had different beliefs. There are ways to find out your tribe's beliefs.

A lot of Native peoples spirituality comes from ceremony. Each tribe had their own ceremonies and this is where there spiritual beliefs come from. Also each tribe has its own creation myth (similiar to how the bible has the story of adam and eve and god creating the world).

To know about pre-colonization beliefs you should find out more about your tribal beliefs.

Having said that there are contemporary spiritual beliefs, still in practice, that come from the "old days" and that are pan-indian. Pan-inian means practiced by several tribes. The most common of these is the Sweatlodge ceremony. Speaking in general there is a belief of creator and of creation. Respect for all living things (not just nature) but each other and especially our elders. Belief in prayer. Smuding is a common everyday spiritual ceremony. There are so many...

But you don't have to be atheist, you can be part of Native spirituality. I am reserved to talk more about it on a public forum but if you email me I will be happy to discuss more with you and give you some ideas on how to practice this. My email is [e-mail]

Answer 2

Well, the Haida Ka of British Columbia believed in the Manitou, a God who was father to the world. With him were the spirit of the Bear (strength), the Wolf (Intelligence), the Coyote (cleverness), the Raven (mischief), and others.

The Migmah or Micmac of Nova Scotia believed in the great turtle as earth and that the Island of Nova Scotia was in fact the upside canoe of the Manitou.

Most Native beliefs were Nature driven, they had and still have great respect for the land and all that nature gave and gives them. In many ways the beliefs of the Natives is the foundation for the Environmental movement, respecting Mother Earth.

My knowledge is rudimentary at best but I hope this helps.

Answer 3

My co-worker and I had this discussion she is Native as well, she said that Mother was the earth and the term "Great Spirit" is thier God. Not as written in the bible though. Indians believed almost like the Pagan belief to some extent. Which is known to be around longer than Christian beliefs.
Interesting question though!

Answer 4

The Great Spirit In The Sky and the Happy Hunting Ground. I'm supposed to be 1/32 Choctaw or Chickasaw or Cherokee. I've tried to find out for sure, with no luck. Indians didn't keep records back then.

Answer 5

The Indigenous people of this land lived in harmony with Creator and all was honored and used and consumed without forcing nature and the animals into extinction. The Natives did not worship they honored the spirit that was of nature the animals and humans.
This way of life began to implode when people from other lands arrived that worshiped the all mighty dollar. The truth behind this statement is the impending doom listed as global warming. Hell to these people consisted of a devil figure that tortured his flock that arrived for stealing, killing and using their God in vain.
I wonder how that works into the way these lands were stolen by killing in the name of converting these honorable Native peoples that would not abandon their Creator. The Native people of this land had no concept of hell. They understood that life continued on into the spirit world forever more.
As can be seen by natives the only hell is the hell that is served up by those that prop up their self esteem by empowering themselves by castrating other peoples Creator in order to present their God who is the same God of all on this planet. The only difference is the mask to make people believe their God is different. In the space of eternity God is of all peoples for he is all too all peoples that know the Spiritual Creator.

Answer 6

Oh sweetie, this is such a sad thing to read.
I'm partially of N/A descent (Cherokee nation) myself. Most of our people believe (and btw, not all N/A's converted to xianity.. there IS a revival of the old ways happening in all the nations) in the Great Spirit and ancestor spirits.. animal totems, a close relationship with nature, the earth as Mother.. that human beings came from the stars.. getting more specific would require that you tell me from which nation your people originate. Feel free to contact me offline.
Many blessings on your path.
Kallan

Answer 7

Even though they were never taught to believe so, Native Americans believed in a higher power that was responsible for the creation of everything that they saw. Pretty smart people

Answer 8

Most native Indians were pantheists.
That means that they worshiped the ground, the trees, the rivers and steams, the rocks. Some believed that the stars in the sky are their deceased loved ones.

grace2u

Answer 9

The native Americans beliefs are the gentlest and most spiritual belief I have ever encountered, I would find an elder to talk to about it and go from there, I am white and I practise it as often as I can.

Answer 10

Native Americans comprise many different tribal groups with many different belief systems. My own tribe Miq'maq' (centered around Prince Edward Island) are fairly monotheistic (with only a few minor deities), calling god Gooslag.