Posted by CB on December 13, 2010 at 11:55:18
Lately I've been reading Native American biographies and histories. There's no way to read this material without encountering statements about religion and spirituality, and particularly how Native Americans view the Christianity of White people.
I just came across this really interesting observation by Spotted Tail, a Brule Lakota, on his experienced of being evangelized by Christian missionaries:
"I am bothered what to believe. Some years ago a good man, as I think, came to us. He talked me out of all my old faith; and after a while, thinking that he must know more of these matters than an ignorant Indian, I joined his church, and became a methodist. After a while he went away; another man came and talked, and i became a Baptist; then another came and talked, and i became a Prebysterian. Now another one has come, and wants me to be an Episcopalian.
All these people tell different stories, and each wants me to believe that his special way is the only way to be good and save my soul. I have about made up my mind that either they all lie, or that they don't know any more about it than I did at first. I have always believed in the Great Spirit, and worshiped him in my own way. These people don't seem to want to change my belief in the Great Spirit, but to change my way of talking to him. White men have education and books, and ought to know exactly what to do, but hardly any two of them agree on what should be done."