MovieChat Forums > Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (2007) Discussion > How many Native People practice Christia...

How many Native People practice Christianity?

posted 16 years ago by peteandtammya
25 replies | jump to latest

Early in the film, Eastman's father came to take him away so that he could attend a school that was run by white Europeans. While his father still was on the reservation, he made a reference to becoming a 'Christ Worshiper.' I was just curious to know how many of the Native people of North America practice Christianity today. Please let me be quite clear: I am NOT attempting to start a debate about religion. I am a non-active Christian, and to be perfectly honest, if I learned through researh that 80% to 90% of Native people had rejected the religion of Christianity, I would not be the least bit surprised. After watching this movie and the mini-series 'Into The West,' and after seeing the unspeakably horrific manner with which so many Native people were treated by Europeans who called themselves Chrisitians, I would be quite amazed to learn that any Native people wanted to practice this faith.

If there are Native people, Lakota or otherwise, who can give me some insight into this area, I would be most appreciative. Thanks.

[–] ReinaMissy 16 years ago

I'm not native (well, unless you count my Chippewa ancestors), but I know that the Lakota religious beliefs are remarkably similar to "mere" Christianity, to employ the phrase coined by the inimitable C.S. Lewis.

Christianity in its barest form is not arrogant, nor judgmental, of any one culture. It doesn't denigrate non-human forms of life, or insist that everything outside its own realm bow to its superiority. Unfortunately, this religion was adopted as the state religion by the Roman government over 1800 years ago. Honestly, I think it's the worst thing that ever happened to this religion because it lent an arrogant supremacy to those who followed it, given the strength of the Roman government.

I had a fascinating discussion with a gentleman who is Hunkpapa, born and raised - and still lives - at Standing Rock. I told him that I first read of the Lakota religious beliefs when I was about 15, and my initial reaction was, "this sounds a lot like Christianity without all the boosheet Whites added to it."

He responded, "I agree. On the surface, they sound similar, but....the wasicu boosheet. I think Jesus was a Hunkpapa. Or at least he came for a visit - and listened."

[–] tgrdavid 16 years ago

many of the native americans are christians or mormons. i am a descendant from the otoe misouri tribe located in oklahoma and in the early 20th century there were many christian mission schools set up to help the native children get an education as well as learn about christianity. one of my relatives truman dailey help to organize the native american church which combines christian teachings with old native american practices and traditions, he even testefied before congress on the use of peyote as a secrament. im not as familiar with mormonism but i do know that the book of mormon speaks alot about native americans.

[–] ContinentalOp 13 years ago

''...as well as learn about christianity''

One of the saddest things that happened to the Native people and it is still happening. Many beliefs are now lost due to the spread of that intolerant and anti-nature faith.

''and don't think the christian boarding schools weree a great adventure, they took native children by force in order to learn 'the ways of god' they preached that native religion was false and work of the devil, they'd beat the children in order to get them to stop practicing their native culture hence now we have an entire generation and descendants who speak little or nothing of their native language.''

I am so glad to see that you know the truth and still care, if only all the natives of America and Eurasia would abandon that cold religion, the world would at least be happier. I am glad that you keep alive the beliefs of your ancestors by caring. Some day these beliefs may be lost forever due to Christianity but they still live in the hearts of those who care about them and still practice them.

''I am a Colville Native. I DO NOT practice Christianity, my father was one that was raised in the boarding school era and he says their is NO GOD. Or that the "God" they speak of is evil. I have never read the bible and have no interest in doing so. I don't push christianity onto my son I believe in the Mother Earth and Father Sky and the Great Spirit will guide me. The majority of my family are the same believers.''

I am glad to hear that you do not practice Christianity. I am not a wholly good person, but I know that the god of Christianity is fundamentally evil. He is a being of jealousy, genocides and eternal torments in hell (as someone proved in this thread, by hoping that there is a special place in hell...horrid thing to say even about the worst of people. Eternal hells are cruel). The belief in Mother Earths and Father Skies are present in most Amerind and Eurasiatic belief systems (in Europe there are the Sky gods, like Woden or Jupiter, and the Earth goddesses like Frige or Hera, in Turkic religions there are Tanri, the Sky Father, and Yer Tanri, the Earth Mother, and in Japan you have the god Izanagi and the goddess Izanami).

In Europe, Asia and Africa many, many belief systems are going extinct and many more have gone extinct due to the cultural-genocide in the wake of Christianity. That is not a good thing at all.

''I for one will never sell out to the European religion.''

Infact, Christianity is not a European religion either but a Middle-Eastern one. The true European faiths went the way of many Native American religions and were more akin to them than is Christianity. Christianity arrived in Europe relatively late in its history and many of the things that happened to the Native Americans often occurred to the Europeans, proving that Christianity is not a religion of love or tolerance. Case in point, the Saxons in northern Europe were subject to cruel massacres and brutality from Christianized Franks (who originally had a closely related faith to the Saxons) and their sacred oak (''Thunor's Oak'') was hacked down to prove that the Christian god was superior. They were forceably converted and much of their land was taken. What happened to the Native Americans is just one of the newer examples of the barbarity of Christian governments and followers of the Christian "message".

If you are sick of the ''I love Jesus 100% signature'', copy and paste this into your profile!

[–] jaker_breaker 14 years ago

What is Christianity in its barest form? Whatever's left over when you make a decision to ignore the vast portions of scripture that simply must be described as extremely judgmental, injurious to all forms of life, and, by its very definition, must assume anything non-Christian is not only inferior, but blasphemous and grounds for eternal torture in the hereafter? Come on.

[–] ContinentalOp 13 years ago

''I'm not native (well, unless you count my Chippewa ancestors), but I know that the Lakota religious beliefs are remarkably similar to "mere" Christianity, to employ the phrase coined by the inimitable C.S. Lewis.''

That is not correct. The Ojibwe (or Chippewa) have many different beliefs, none of which are as similar to Christianity as they are to the heathen and Eastern faiths.

Also, if you have Ojibwe ancestors, you are Native, as well as a descended of an immigrant, and should have pride in all your ancestries they all add up to the ultimate sum; you.

''Christianity in its barest form is not arrogant, nor judgmental, of any one culture.''

That is debatable, but one thing for certain is that it is arrogant and judgmental about other belief systems and religions.

''It doesn't denigrate non-human forms of life, or insist that everything outside its own realm bow to its superiority.''

Yes it does. It teaches that the world is a place of sin and evil, in contrast to heaven and that all animals are subject to the will of man, they serve man. Satan is often called ''the Lord of the Earth'', in contrast to ''the Lord of Heaven'', for that reason.

''this religion was adopted as the state religion by the Roman government over 1800 years ago. Honestly, I think it's the worst thing that ever happened to this religion because it lent an arrogant supremacy to those who followed it, given the strength of the Roman government.''

It is the worst thing that happened, but not for the reason you think. The older Roman religion was far more tolerant than Christianity, and incorporated many, many belief systems. It preferred to equate (e.g. Tiwaz with Mars, Wodanaz with Mercury etc.) gods rather than replace them. Being a Roman citizen did not mean practicing the state religion or death until the Christian era, in which being a follower of your ancestral gods (in the case of Rome, the gods who built their city and influence the Roman world) or an atheist, or a foreign god who was from not Christ/YHWH, became illegal and meant death.

'' I told him that I first read of the Lakota religious beliefs when I was about 15, and my initial reaction was, "this sounds a lot like Christianity without all the boosheet Whites added to it."''

Most Christians are what most would call ''white'', though colour designation is meaningless. And I disagree completely with your interpretation. The polytheistic and animistic Lakota religion has little in common with Christian. It has a rough creator god in Inyan, but he is neither jealous nor does he punish others in hell for an eternity. He is also not the only god nor the only creature of anything. Wakhan Thanka is often painted as a god but it isn't, as Russel Means points out, Sioux beliefs are not monotheistic. It is a force more akin to karma or wyrd. The tale of the creation is more similar to the Norse myth of creature than the Christian one, with his blue blood become the ocean and rivers, in much the same way as the blood of Ymir became the ocean and rivers. The beliefs of the Sioux are more typical of Amerind-Eurasiatic beliefs than they are of Christianity. In Sioux beliefs every part of nature is sacred, and not just something that should be exploited by man (as YHWH commands in Genesis).

''"I think Jesus was a Hunkpapa. Or at least he came for a visit - and listened."''

That is withful thinking on the part of the Hunkpapa gentleman, probably based on his interactions with the syncretistic form of Christianity practiced but many Sioux. In reality Jesus Christ teaches a message different from that our the Sioux and a literalistic Christian who follows the Bible word by word wouldn't be able to say anything like that about any Hunkpapa holyman. If you are not a Christian, in Christianity, you are destined for hell and follow the devil. I do not have to tell you, I am sure, which of these beliefs is superior.

If you are sick of the ''I love Jesus 100% signature'', copy and paste this into your profile!

[–] heartbrokentrust 16 years ago

I am native but descended from the other side of the border of the huichol.. wixaritari.

i dont know the numbers but many of our native peoples who converted to christianity had to by force.. and its happened over and over again, from catholicism, mormon, christian.....
and don't think the christian boarding schools weree a great adventure, they took native children by force in order to learn 'the ways of god' they preached that native religion was false and work of the devil, they'd beat the children in order to get them to stop practicing their native culture hence now we have an entire generation and descendants who speak little or nothing of their native language.. our cultures were extinguished by all of this, colonization over and over again, its a sad thing.. because without ones culture, that person doesnt exist.. but weve survived this long, and with the help of our ancestors we'll keep going.

just wake up and realize that this glorious history of the united states is marred by many atrocities just swept under the rug..

[–] Xanthal 16 years ago

I am Mvskoke Creek and I as well as pretty much all other Creeks I know are Christian. Im not sure of the history of our situation involving religion but am definately now interested in finding out the history.

[–] shadow_of_eagles 16 years ago

According to most studies that I've seen, here in the Dakotas only one to two percent of all Natives identify as being Christian. Only about five per cent have a genuine knowledge of the Christian beliefs. I was a pastor at a small predominantly native church in Rapid City for several years. Nationwide fewer than ten per cent of all Native Americans identify as being Christian. As a pastor who is mixed, it is both disheartening and understandable. Some of the gravest injustices were done in the name of and with the blessing of the Church. My wife is a survivor of the church run residential school system in Canada. Many of those who survived residential schools have permanent disfigurements, both physical and emotional. I believe that there will be a special place in hell for those who acted so cruelly in the Name of God.

[–] agapithgrg2012 16 years ago

I am a Colville Native. I DO NOT practice Christianity, my father was one that was raised in the boarding school era and he says their is NO GOD. Or that the "God" they speak of is evil. I have never read the bible and have no interest in doing so. I don't push christianity onto my son I believe in the Mother Earth and Father Sky and the Great Spirit will guide me. The majority of my family are the same believers.

[–] lexp2005 16 years ago

Good for you agapithgrg2012!!!Your father was correct when he said "The "GOD" they
speak of is evil" Because THAT god is an astral created god whether it be Islam,Hindu,Christian or whatever god.I practice NO man mad(e) religion but I am deeply spiritual.I can strongly recommend a book "One Light" by John Whistler
published by Light Pulsations website www.lightpulsations.com
It was in that book that I learned a little about the noble Hopi people.I think
you and anyone who reads this book will really be spiritually enlightened as I was.I am from England with a Christian upbringing now living in Australia.

Best Regards

swelpy

[–] aimei2006 16 years ago

Most of the natives I know in ND are Christian, but many (especially the older generation) do mix native beliefs with Christianity. These are just the people I know though. I'm not aware of any statistics on the subject.

[–] birdnest-2 16 years ago

I am a member of an aboriginal family in a small Canadian town with a predominately aboriginal population, and most of us hold Christian beliefs. Although we still hold many cultural spiritual beliefs, we do not find that they conflict with essential Christian beliefs.

[–] peteandtammya 16 years ago

Thanks to everyone who gave me feedback. It is good to know that many Native people practice Christianity. Of course, I have an equal amount of love and respect for those who choose to embrace their traditional, spiritual beliefs as well. I look forward to taking some trips with my family to Canada, the upper plains, the Rocky Mountains and the southwest desert so that we can meet some people form different nations and learn even more about the various native cultures that exist across North America.

Thanks again.

[–] abomination21 16 years ago

It has always been the MO of how Christianity (and to various degree the entire Abrahamic line) spread, not just for Native American but globally. If they can get away with it, they will never give you a choice… Convert or suffer the consequences. They talk big on ‘love’ but the key of their success is ‘fear’…

Christianity already has a significant foothold in the U.S. so most Christians don’t see as much horror and of course you will not expect any religion to teach you about their ‘ugly’ side (for Christianity, a massive ugly side). The worst is that some consider the things they do as ‘favors’ and not ‘atrocities’.

It is very difficult for people who are raise Christian to admit the negative aspects and they typically say things like ‘people misunderstood the scripture or some are misguided’ while the Institution as a whole continue to benefit from such ‘misguided’ acts.

Peteandtammya express horror regarding the treatment and yet still use the word ‘good’ when knowing many Native people practice Christianity. It may simply be an unintended expression but it is precisely how insidious the methodology for conversion is. Of course there are some Christians of virtue but few truly consider what Christianity represent in it entirety.

[–] geobucks 16 years ago

"Of course there are some Christians of virtue but few truly consider what Christianity represent in it entirety."
What garbage. Stupid opinions are one thing, those supported by facts are another. I am Christian, but belong to no church, but your ignorance is astounding. Mommy should take your computer away and enlist the help of a surgeon to make you a gelding.

[–] chizzie_shark 15 years ago

For someone who claims to be a Christian, that response wasn't very demonstrative of patience given by the Spirit.

And if you are a Christian, then you do belong to the church, because the church is the body of Christ, the fellowship of all Christian brothers and sisters. Claiming you belong to "no church" is basically saying you do not belong to the body of Christ. Not to be judgmental, but it seems you may need to rethink your perspective on God's words in the Bible.

To the above person who said Christians generally won't admit the wrongs of the past or really know what Christianity is: sadly, you are right. I believe this is largely because many of those who claim to be Christian do not read or understand the Bible, or have a very ignorant understanding of what it means to belong to Christ. As a Christian myself, this is saddening, and I can only pray that their eyes will be opened to the truth. What people have done in the past, in the name of God, was irrevocably wrong, and throughout the years Christianity has been misused by the state as a political tool. I take comfort in knowing that God will be the judge of them at the end.

Sorry for being so off-topic. For the record, I'm Chinese-Australian and don't practise any of the Chinese superstitions or relgious ceremonies. And as far as I know, a low percentage of indigenous Australians are Christians, though there are still definitely a decent number of believers.

*********
Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairytales again.

[–] redai02-1 14 years ago

To the Christians on the board: Do you remember that tiny, insignificant little incident where Christ entered temple, and instead of it being a church it was more a temple to commerce, and he berated the elders, denouncing the sale of flesh and goods in a church?
And yet you have the gall to tell another Christian that they're not Christian unless they go to church?? Half the churches nowadays would receive the same verbal tongue-lashing if and when he comes back. Just saying. And for the record, it doesn't matter what the name of your religion, everyone worships the Great Spirit. Call it God, call it Manitou, whatever.

The Masses are @sses

[–] ReinaMissy 15 years ago

Generalized rubbish.