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Date Posted: 06:26:15 10/08/05 Sat
Author: Cathleen
Subject: Re: WORLD'S BEST KEPT SECRET
In reply to: Spiritfeather 's message, "Re: WORLD'S BEST KEPT SECRET" on 02:33:59 10/08/05 Sat

>>YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU
>>FREE. JOHN 8:32. WWW.THEHOLYCONCEPTIONUNIT.ORG
>>THE WORLD'S BEST KEPT SECRET!!!
>
>
>If there is anger in responses to this "best kept
>secret" post, it is because we have lost much as a
>people thanks to the rigid, non-yielding ways of such
>a posting. Listen to the words of Ten Charges and
>think before you post such judgement to Indigenous
>Peoples in the future!
>
>As a people, we are still FINED for using items in
>ceremonies that are sacred to us. Where is the
>fairness in that? No one would go into a christian
>church and fine them for using wine in their
>ceremonies, or confiscate a chalice and call it
>illegal to use. How dare you do it to us?
>
>We all honor the same Creator and yet our spirituality
>is treated by many even still as that which must be
>converted to christianity. You do this to us because
>you do not bother to learn about it - you simply
>assume it is evil and must be stamped out at all costs
>because it is different than your beliefs.
>
>The effects of genocide on our people lives on in many
>ways, least of all in anger and resentment of our
>spirituality not being acknowledged as valid in its
>own right. At the very least, it is simply rude to
>post such a thing on this site.


Hi everyone!

First off I would like to say that if my statement about letting anger go was mis-interpreted or unintentionally offended anyone than I offer my apologies. It was meant to be a reflective closing thought as I have been in situations in the past growing-up and currently at my job, where I have been on the recieving end of prejudicial practices. There is also the fact that I no longer follow the religious practices of family and friends...one friend has openly challanged me voicing her stand-point that I can't believe in a God if I don't go to church to worship.

Choosing to ask questions....Finding and following a differant path than that of those close to me and the recent situations faced when working, have left me fighting anger and resentment a times! In my situation, I work with minorities of a certain ethnic group who have openly stated that they feel the right to hate others because of the past. So the statement about letting go and remembering the lessons of the past is my way of combating my anger so that I don't continue the cycle. Anger is many times justified and in the case of Christian religions and their treatment in the past and the treatment of some currently toward native cultures...it is definitly justified. I have just learned for me that it is not the path I should follow as it interfers with my spirtuality and growth. I am not perfect...just a work in process!

As for the post "World's Best Kept Secret", I agree that was posted by an insensative jerk. Somebody so caught up in their religious fundamentalism that I wonder if they actually believe what they are preaching! I do think it is interesting that a new gospel is being rediscovered which is basically teaching what the natives of this world have ALWAYS held to be true..."lift a rock and he is there". The Creator can be found anywhere not just a building! Churches may not have excepted it but I know at least two people who now question how much they were taught to be true is true and how much was twisted to fit the goals of the early Catholic church.

So with my view hopefully clarified, I have a question to ask! Spirtfeather mentioned being fined for using certain things in religious ceremonies. I have an idea about what one such item may be but can't imagine any other possibilities. Can anyone educate me on that issue? Are these fines occuring in ceremonies off reservations or on reservations as well? If nobody is driving impaired or causing harm to somebody because of a certain religious practice, Uncle Sam needs to keep their nose out of it ...It should fall under freedom of religion. This is even more true if it occures on the reservations since I was always taught in Government, that they were supposed to be independant nations within the U.S.! Government control should be at a minimum and olny concerning things that directly effect important issues off the reservation. Off course I am aware that our government has many flaws and often does things that it keeps out of the eyes of the general public....if it can get away with it than it does but that tends to be the sad story of government...a lot of bad accomapanies the good.

Looking forward to gaining some new insite on the issues of religious fines!

Blessings...

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