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Christianity in Native America has a complicated history. Early Christian missionaries discouraged traditional religious and spiritual practices within the tribes. But today many Native Americans adhere to a variety of Christian denominations including Catholic, Mormon, and Southern Baptist. They sometimes merge traditional spiritual practices with longstanding Christian beliefs. Can you practice both? Is there room for the crucifix in the sweat lodge?
Guests:
Dr. Casey Church (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi) – Director of Wiconi International
Joe Herrera (Cochiti Pueblo and Laguna Pueblo) – former Native American Ministry Director for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe
Break Music: Sac and Fox (song) Brian Stoner (artist) with Love and Faith We Pray Volume II (album)
I suppose if that what an individual chooses to do, but for me they don’t mix, It would be in my mind the same as walking into a synagogue with a crucifix on my back, Would it be acceptable ?,I dont think so. So what makes our spiritual practices any different in respect to christianity going into a jewish ceremony?. yes on one hand I myself believe that it is all the same god,but a choice of what path you want to meet this god so why would i want to confuse myself by combining other practices, Just as an example, If the Jews,Christians ,and the Muslims decided to combine their beliefs would their finally be peace in the middeleast?I tend not to think so , because they could start a whole new Holy War trying to decide what they”re going to call this God and who’s gonna head the ceremonies, etc.
Brian are you onvolved?
I cannot reconcile my beliefs with Christianity, I only walk the red road!
“Casey Church is confused on the issue of syncretism and is either misinformed, or is lying about the vitriol that adherents or proponents of this false “contextual” movement have been spouting for at least the last 10 years.”
The former director of Wiconi, and people like Randy Woodley continue to spout lies and deception about the original, historic missionaries. Casey Church is either horribly misinformed, or he is lying.
I thought it was important that Casey pointed out that the “Chistianity” practiced and presented by the early missionaries to North America was a faith already shaped by Western culture–its world view, its architecture, its sociology, its art, its music. It was not “pure” New Testament Christianity, if there could ever be such a thing. Faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord can only find itself, like a baby, in some culture or other, and wherever it is planted it will grow up into a living reality shaped by that culture. That’s why I react to hearing the word “mixed” referring to “Christian” religious practice and Traditional religious practice. It is not a matter of mixture. It is a matter of a living, growing faith making use of the resources available to it.