church or powwows

[Lakota Wiyan]

I am going to type this post on behalf of my mother:

It's a good thing when people get shook a little, which is what this thread did. The person who started it probably didn't intend for anything good to happen, but what has happened is something positive, and that is the vocalization of people's passion for their spiritual choices. By putting it out into the air, or in this case, over the internet, it helps you as an individual reaffirm yourself, and you have grown by the the mere act of "THINKING" about it. Sorting and asembling your responses has helped you realize something, and solidified your own stance on your beliefs, OR, it has helped you witness a void in your beliefs that you will now go out and try to fill. There is no wrong answers here. Professing to be ONE (chrisitian) or the OTHER (Traditional, or as wrongly assumed, Powwow) does not make you any more or any less than what you truly are. People of all faiths should have as many options as our Native people do. Its a wonderful thing to be native right now, as we HAVE those choices, and we have our hearts and souls still with us that we can live and prosper very well regardless of what we choose. It's time to stop stepping on each other and judging and condemning each other, as that diminishes each other and more importantly, our ownselves. It's so nice to hear my daughter read to me all the responses to what might seem like a tedious and over played issue. But you young people have proven that our hearts are still beating strong, and we, as people, rely on the energy your blood flowing provides. Keep your passion, keep your love, and regardless of how, when or where you pray, keep praying!

**************
Gah, my mom rocks!!

[Lakota Wiyan]

Anyway, I go to both. Around here they even have church AT the powwow on Sunday mornings sometimes.

What's the intent of this thread? Everyone has strong feelings about their spirituality...and powwows, apparently.

Which religion/spirituality is right? All of them AND none of them. There is only one truth and noone on earth knows it.

I'm sure we'll all be surprised when we cross over. And then it won't matter one iota....only how we loved and treated our fellow humans while given the chance.

PEACE!

Wow...your post is very impressive!! I'm gonna learn how and toss some points your way!!! I think the underlying message is to love each other and be tolerant of each other's differences and NOT judge and condemn...I personally thing that that is a creed to live by regardless of what you believe in and/or do with your life.

[Furiously-Fancy]

I can understand why this question might come up......there are people out there that think there is a conflict between pow-wow and church; mainly because of time.
Sometimes I'd like to be at both, but can't. On Sundays during the summer.....for me it's about 50/50......half the time I'm in church and half the time I'm at a pow-wow. Once in awhile I can make it to both.
There is also a Christian mindset that pow-wows are in conflict with "keeping the Sabbath day holy."
I disagree with some in that pow-wows are not the same as church. "Our elders teach us that through dancing and singing we express ourselves to the Creator and as we do so we bring blessings of strength and happiness to our people."
When we go to church....whether it's in a Christian church, sweat lodge, Sundance lodge, NAC mtg., or out in nature we also pray, sing and express ourselves to the Creator and in doing so, we are blessed in many ways.
Our elders also teach us that life is like the medicine wheel.....each of it's spokes represent various, cultures and religion. All of them different, but still sacred--- because they lead us to him (our Creator).

[little bird]

Everyone is different on how they go about worshiping/honoring God/Our Creator. No one has a right to say ONE way is THE ONLY way to go about it. I really enjoyed the Powwow I went to and met some Christian dancer's. I never saw anything like it and admired them for it. When I joined the dance, a woman commented on the way I was dancing and told me she couldn't believe it was my first time because I was really in touch with everything around me. Made me know that many of the folks in a "church building" needed to see this and learn from different ways of worship...

[Nezbah]

**sits down with some popcorn..........anybody???**

I still say spirituality lies within the heart. Whether its in a church, teepee, lodge, or a rock, it don't matter. People can preach all the jabba babba they want..... No one can change what I feel in my heart.....

**ding** round 3!!! .............

[RedShield]

Pow Wows all the way!

Paselo~

[AngelFeather]

alan,

I would rather enlighten, than "teach you."

Spirituality IS individual. Ask 10 people what spirituality means to them and you will get 10 answers.

Religion is communal and involves groups of individuals. I was once told that Indian languages don't have a specific word that is analogous to the word "Religion." If this is not true somebody please correct me.


Some individuals actually find spiritual fulfillment at powwows! Go figure?

Yes WhoME youre right.. I have been taught the same...concerning the word religion..

[Josiah]

WhoMe, I've found spiritual fulfillment while out fishing, wading a stream in the beautiful mountains. The creator is where you find him/her, and that can be anywhere, or everywhere. Besides, the author of this thread is obviously just stirring the pot, with no apparent rhyme or reason.

Ahh yes Pot stirring
But it worked eh?
I read through these posts and still shake my head at how violent and with great passion they get about religion
And when they get that shiny look in there eyes, brother look out!!!

Enough

Peace out

[alan schuster]

WhoMe thank you for your enlightment!!!!

[alan schuster]

Thank You!

Josiah thank you for bringing clarity to this question for me. As I have said I am ignorant yet teachable. I have a strong desire to learn the ways and customs of the medicine path and the wheel. In truth it is a part of my heritage I grew up not knowing about and the other part is the spiritual enlightment.

[streamhawk]

Some individuals actually find spiritual fulfillment at powwows! Go figure?

WhoMe, I've found spiritual fulfillment while out fishing, wading a stream in the beautiful mountains. The creator is where you find him/her, and that can be anywhere, or everywhere. Besides, the author of this thread is obviously just stirring the pot, with no apparent rhyme or reason.

[Josiah]

"Isn't a powwow part of Native American spiritual pratices to cummincate with the creator?"



Alan S.

SHORT ANSWER: NOOOOOOO

Long Answer: It has nothing to do with that at all!!!!!!!
Powwows sprang from wild west shows so basically it began as entertainment.
Having said that there are TRADITIONAL POWWOWS that are for various Societies and Clans to Gather
Powwows are organized for various celebrations and now days there are Contest Powwows and Benefit Powwows so I would say they are for NDN's and Non NDN's to meet and talk and visit.
So to sum it up the are a SOCIAL GATHERING
Nothing Religious or Mysterious about them

[WhoMe]

...Is not spirituality a indivdual relationship with the creator? .....

alan,

I would rather enlighten, than "teach you."

Spirituality IS individual. Ask 10 people what spirituality means to them and you will get 10 answers.

Religion is communal and involves groups of individuals. I was once told that Indian languages don't have a specific word that is analogous to the word "Religion." If this is not true somebody please correct me.


Some individuals actually find spiritual fulfillment at powwows! Go figure?

[Josiah]

There we go again arguing about religion
Sheesh

[alan schuster]

I can not say. I go to church, however I have never been to a powwow. Out of ignorance I must ask this question, "Isn't a powwow part of Native American spiritual pratices to cummincate with the creator?" Is not spirituality a indivdual relationship with the creator? Is not the greatest place to meet the creator in nature? If so is not church in nature instead of a structure made by man?
Like I have said, I am ignorant to alot of things, so please do not take offense. Teach me.
Love and Respect,
Alan S.