Christianity and Native Americans
The Parallels and Divergences of Native Americans and Christianity The Description of Black Elk's Vision is one of a mystical journey, which has allows Americans a peak into the complex religions of Native American tribes. The relationships between Christianity and Black Elk's Sioux Religion were distinct from the minute the two met at the beginning of the New America. The onslaught of the Indians that occurred at the beginning of America will never be forgotten , but Even now in the 21st Century there is a sense of the irreparable hostility between the Native Americans and Our government. When our Fore Fathers first met the native American, the settlers considered Indian savages and had no concept of their way of life and nor did the Indians of the settlers. Both parties had greatly different religions but there were some similarities. One of the first native American tribes was the Oglala Sioux and after looking at Christianity and the Sioux religion objectively, along with great differences I found a a few parallels that seemed relevant. One major similarity found in both in Christianity and the Sioux their concepts of a whole god without any traces of Polytheism. There also isn't any true sense of idolatry in either re
The Sioux have traditionally past there oral religion generation to generation through myth and poetry and dance. I can picture the great Sioux warrior/leader, Metacom, regarding Bill Gates, Eron's CEOs as elements of the Anti-Christ in English terms. Christianity still is a strong part of my spirituality but I now look at it more objectively, as I believe I should with any religion. The poetic myths like the one of the Sun and moon, are the structure of the Native American Religion, and also are the key and lock to understanding their way of life. In turn that's why we have day and night . The symbolism involved is the state of being pierced equals ignorance ,but the act of it breaking free equals wisdom. In the end , I thank the Native Americans for their existence and their beautiful cohesiveness with nature . Theologians have discussed problem in the bible for centuries alike regarding womens oppression , the condemnation of homosexuals amongst many other issues, even questioning if anything in it is accurate(as it was written) in the bible. Where as, the Modern Christian(post Old Testament) is taught to give thanks for ones blessings (food/family/shelter/possessions), ask for forgiveness following repentance of sin, have an unquestioning faith, follow in God's foot steps and one will reach heaven after they've served their time in the world. His parents don't want their sons sexuality to taint their stature in the church, so they try to remedy or at least quiet the problem and in turn stifle their son as a human being. This attitude has developed over a couple thousand year and ,the most obvious solution is resides in the way Christianity was derived, which relates back to the Sioux and their "oral" religion . ' Humanity world wide has greatly progressed since 1500 AD, yet Christians still rely on the books of testament to proclaim their religion. For instance, I was taught if one is gay and never converts/repents before their time of judgment they would be condemned to hell. At one time I was an avid church goer belonging to a First Baptist Church and after being exposed to the ideals of the Native Americans I have become more aware of why I felt hesitant at times with some of their teachings. Referencing the instructor-'the Native American vision quest relates to Christianity in how through faith, willingness and the appreciation of nature(including humans) in its entirety, are all in a sense training, for the path to receiving a vision/command from the almighty'.
Common topics in this essay:
AD Christians,
Sun Dance,
Native Americans,
Native American,
Christianpost Testament,
Mormon Preacher,
Plato Plato,
According Christian,
Christianity Sioux,
American Religion,
native american,
native americans,
sioux religion,
native american tribes,
american tribes,
own body,
american religion,
oral religion,
beginning america,
native american religion,
written bible,
christianity sioux,
|
Acceptance Essays
