Natives converting to other religions

[IlnuSoldier]

We all know that many natives are Christians.. but what about when natives start becoming other relgions...

native buddhist, native hindu, native muslims, native jews,etc.etc.etc..

Thoughts on this ?

I have heard many christian natives say that there is enough similiarity between Christianity and their take-on their tribe's religionthat they feel they can ecompass BOTH...

..what about other religions?

Chime in, but keep it respectful..please

[RDNKJ]

Hey IlnuSoldier,

Interesting topic, but I'm not quite sure what you mean. Are you looking for people's thoughts on Natives belonging to a/any religion other than their ancestral beliefs? Or are you looking for people's thoughts on whether traditional Native beliefs are compatible with various religions?

[IlnuSoldier]

Both...

What religions match different tribe's original beliefs?

How do you feel if a native person is...say.. Buddhist ...or...Muslim ?


Either topic or both...

[Silverhawk76]

I don't have a problem with people being in different religions or even checking others out - it could even add on to / enhance our Beliefs - I don't think it would be harmful or takes away from the primary Religious / Spiritual beliefs a person has originally.

For me, sometimes I do that to understand some things better and to get a different perspective of the world and the people. I believe that it's good to be open minded, to seek knowledge from outside your "comfort zone" so to speak and even step out of my comfort zone.

I think the biggest thing regarding this topic would be Respect.

Take care,
Amy

[SuzzeQ4]

To some extent I feel, choose what you want. Now if you want to become Jewish (or some other culture based religion like our own) well thats no different then the wannabe's. you either got the blood or you don't.

As far as the whole "complimentary" thing, I disagree! Get off the fence and choose! It drives me crazy when I go somewhere and the person givin thanks has christianized the whole thing. If I wanted that I would have gone to church! The fact the religion around the world carry similar ideals (how to live a good life) doesn't mean they are the same. If you really want a combo religion go join the ba'hai (spelling)

[Silverhawk76]

Let's for a minute put aside the "blood" issue -

What if a person is wanting to know more in depth about certain spiritual issues that they have - and they seek knowledge or answers and they end up looking outside their primary religion and finding it in another "religion" or "spiritual" based- would that mean they are "wannabes"?

What if it was just for those specific answers - does that mean they're straddling the fence or ?

Or what about the person who grew up in "Christian, Muslim or Jewish" based household for example and that person felt that it was the wrong religion for that individual regardless of "family" affliation / beliefs? Would that make that individual a wannabe?

Just wondering what your perspective was, Suzze.

[SuzzeQ4]

Let's for a minute put aside the "blood" issue -

What if a person is wanting to know more in depth about certain spiritual issues that they have - and they seek knowledge or answers and they end up looking outside their primary religion and finding it in another "religion" or "spiritual" based- would that mean they are "wannabes"?

What if it was just for those specific answers - does that mean they're straddling the fence or ?

Or what about the person who grew up in "Christian, Muslim or Jewish" based household for example and that person felt that it was the wrong religion for that individual regardless of "family" affliation / beliefs? Would that make that individual a wannabe?

Just wondering what your perspective was, Suzze.

Sure.

Some belief systems are culture based, like our own so you c an't really be a part of them without the blood, unless you marry in, otherwise wannabe. Just learning a thing or to from another perspective but stickin to where you come from is being educational...on a spiritual level.

I don't like fence sitting NDN's when they bring christianity into my space...and it is a completely biased opinion based on issues I grew up with (being adopted by white racist right wing christians) I am aware that my opinion is biased, but it irks me just the same...despite having a best friend who is a fence sitter...so ya I can totally disagree with ya and still like ya. My best friend and I powwow together, sweat together, do socials together but there are certain ceremonies she won't do cause she feels they conflict with her christian beliefs. I find it annoying but I luv her anyway.

[ANNA NICOLE]

So - normally i dont chime in on stuff... but. What difference does it make what religion or what set of beliefs a person follows? Especially a Native person. The whole experience of religion is a personal one. What I believe and what mr. x believes are completely different. What does it matter if i'm sitting in a cathedral or in a tipi? I think that a persons set of values are their own and they dont have to explain their beliefs to you or me. I know that some people were taught that if you're Native you cant be Christian. But really what difference does it make? We are not the Natives from the 1400's where Jesuit priests are forcing the Catholic Religion on us. We are free to make our own decisions and live by those decisions that we've chosen to make.

I personally dont see anything wrong with a Native choosing to follow a different type of thought. i've spent sometime sometime reading about different religions and different religious thoughts...and Each one of us began somewhere and relgious thoughts are what people/cultures have chosen to believe. So I think that if a person is Native and follows the Bhuddist thought...well thats up to the person. Anyways- thats my 2 cents!! *L*

[SuzzeQ4]

Just want to clear up, I don't care what you believe (except being a wannabe...thats annoying) I just think ya should choose, not fence sit

[IlnuSoldier]

I agree that one should pick "Well, I am THIS"... it keeps your own path clear..

... but I am not sure about the limiting quality of saying "I am this and ONLY this and NEVER will I look at what something else has to offer"

Also... I very much disagree with your notion that race=religion...

That "native religion" is for those with native blood..

... that is ... the very heart of racism...just a "positive racism"..but that is still saying that "if you are this color, then this all you can have"

The "indian god" vs. the "white god"..

I strongly suggest you re-evaluate that statment.

Considering that native blood is actually ASIAN blood... then I guess you should be Taoist or Buddhist...by that definition.

[Joe G]

"Considering that native blood is actually ASIAN blood... then I guess you should be Taoist or Buddhist...by that definition. "

I think if you look, you'll find many that do NOT believe the Bering sea land bridge BS. Don't assume that this 'scientific' explanation is correct, or the only explanation.

[IlnuSoldier]

You will find that many natives DO believe the Asian connection... considering that the "Inu/Ilnu/Ainu/Inyu" culture covers the top of the planet from Siberia to Quebec..

So.. maybe not all natives are comfortable with the genetic fact...

..but some of us are fine accepting the truth of asian origins...

Maybe your tribe came from... wherever.... but my tribe definately came from Asia... and that doesn't bother me.


I fear that many natives fight against having asian origins due to WW2 racism... you are afraid of being a "jap".... but honestly, ALL the evidence points to an Asian origin... ALL of it.. I don't know what other evidence you claim.. but ALL the evidence from genetics to linguistics to the WAY THAT ARROW HEADS ARE MADE all come from asia...

Also.. many tribes have legends that TAKE PLACE IN ASIA... kind of a dead give away...

In my own tribe.. we have four phases of time..
1.) Asia Period
2.) N.W and Great Lakes time period
3.) Quebec/Nova Scotia Time period
4.) Post European Contact period

Literally..our stories and history starts in Asia and follows our journey from Asia to Quebec and Nova Scotia...

So... at least Inu/Ilnu people are Asian.

[SuzzeQ4]

You will find that many natives DO believe the Asian connection... considering that the "Inu/Ilnu/Ainu/Inyu" culture covers the top of the planet from Siberia to Quebec..

So.. maybe not all natives are comfortable with the genetic fact...

..but some of us are fine accepting the truth of asian origins...

Maybe your tribe came from... wherever.... but my tribe definately came from Asia... and that doesn't bother me.


I fear that many natives fight against having asian origins due to WW2 racism... you are afraid of being a "jap".... but honestly, ALL the evidence points to an Asian origin... ALL of it.. I don't know what other evidence you claim.. but ALL the evidence from genetics to linguistics to the WAY THAT ARROW HEADS ARE MADE all come from asia...

Also.. many tribes have legends that TAKE PLACE IN ASIA... kind of a dead give away...

If you spend time up there, thier stories state clearly that when they crossed the land brigdge we were already her, and they occupied the lands that we did not, which happened to be the environment they were used to. Of course if you want to except the white justification theory despite archeological evidence to the contrary, then go ahead.

Second, I won't reconsider my opinion, but you need to keep it in context. I specified that to be part of a culture based religion (like our own, or like Jewish people, and a few others) then you need to be part of that culture (blood or marriage), non- culture based religions are up for grabs to who ever wants them.

ADD ON:
I have respectfully given a a controversial opinion to a controversial question, it would be nice if those who disagree could keep my words in context

[superndngyrl]

Not all natives descended from Asians. Why is it that they are finding fossils here in the US/north america that pre-date the land bridge theory?
I think you also are similar to other non-natives that seem to group natives in one big group like we are all the same. To the outsider it may appear that way but once you get inside you'll notice the differences.

But i'm all for people exploring religion in various formats, especially if it makes the person a better person. A lot of people cling to christianity for all of their thoughts and decisions and its a very closed minded way of life. Life is much too grand to experience in 1 mode.

[Josiah]

I have been exposed to Buddhism and although parts of it appeals to me large parts dont...

I have gone to many different services in my life including what became the Baptist church in modern times. We were converted Monrovian's 200 years ago. The sermons are written in our native tongue and same with hymns the whole service is in our native tongue. But despite my grandma I never became a devote baptist. LOL

I believe in what is inside me and have a hard time listening to somebody telling me how I should feel or believe. And certainly cannot believe that each of these hundreds of religions is the one true path!!!