Ever since I could remember I identified myself as being a Traditional Native American.

And then I started attending church, gave my life over to God. I studied the Word, I attended Bible Study, Womens Ministry, anything I could and was doing well. Until one day when I went up for a prayer call. I had admitted that I was questioning my Traditional beleifs. I was confussed as to how my Tradition was wrong according to God's Word, because others were telling me this was so. And again I was told that what we do is "witch craft" and is not of God.

This was not the first time this had happend. One time at Bible Study I was singled out and told that Mormons are wrong. Several of my family members are Mormon, I was baptised Mormon. I understand why these people felt that way. And I did come to the conclusion on my own that the Mormon religion is not in line with God's Word. But the way these things were done, to me were wrong. I was made to feel ashamed, embarrased, even picked on. I did not want to attend Church as much after these things happened. Eventually I quit going all together.

I still don't understand how they could say my culture is witch craft and not of God. They knew nothing of what it is we beleive or do and never bothered to ask. Please give me some insight on this matter. Thank you.

I apoligize for the feelings of yours that were hurt & I feel ashamed that my "Christian" brothers didn't show you the love of christ. However if you look at the religion contained in the bible one of the primary foundations is that there is only one god, one source of all creation energy & life & also the substance that binds reality together so therefore all native religions or cultures must therefore be mowed over by progress or whatever they call it "holy chastity" or what-have-you. The Hawaiians had their language outlawed by "Christian moralists" wich I feel was a crime, so I can sympathize with your plight as far as how a christian will not have respect for your culture. However I am a staunch bible preacher & once you meet the God of the bible in the right way (not the one who will save your soul for 5 (five) easy paymenmts of $49.95) you are presented with a choice - all your worship will from thenceforth go to Him; or you will have 2 masters & a double minded man is unstable in all his ways; thus you jeapordize your standing in the kindom of heaven the more you worship anything else besides God - Now I am guilty because I worship the TV & entertainment in general more than I worship God on some days & it is not my job to judge you; but while in the world we are being judged & the scripture says abstain from the very appearance of evil; I take that to mean that sometimes we have to not do something we want to just because someone else will get the wrong idea. I don't know you or your culture but I assume that there are gods in your culture & cirtain festivals that are tributes to those gods; perhaps not every festival relates to a god of your culture & perhaps they all do I have no idea but my point is if you partake in a ritual that is celebrating a "false" god according to the bible (as there is only one true God) then you can cause a stumbling block to a christian brothter perhaps making them think its ok to worship more than one god. That is one of the biggest crimes of the bible - causing someone else to forsake God. For that reason alone it would be worth it to not invite any christian friends to any of your cultural festivals at least if not abstain from your own cultrual festivals for your christian brothers sake (see what I mean?)

Thank you for your responce and understanding in this matter. To answer your question. No we do not beleive in other Gods. We beleive just as you said in one God by whom we were all created. That is a common misconception most people have about Native Americans. People seem to think that all Native's practice the worship of different gods. But it is not so. Each Tribe each Band has his or her own beleifs and traditions. They vary from Tribe to Tribe, Band to Band. But again no we do not worship other Gods. We beleive all people(s) were created and are under the authority of one God. We do however have festivals we celebrate every year. We celebrate the harvest of our acorn and strawberry. Another way to look at it is Thanksgiving all year round, specific to the season. I was once told by another Member of our Tribe who is a Christian. That because she was not raised with the teachings of our Tribe's traditions she cannot say if it is not of God because she does not know or understand what our traditions are. But she also encouraged me to read the Word, pray about it and God will reveal to me what is of him and what is not. And that maybe I should start thinking about what I question in regards to our traditions. If it does not line up with the Word then maybe I should not participate in those particular events.

Hi Nalica! I affirm your dependence upon the Word of God. Continue to seek God out through humble prayer and studying the Bible. He will give you direction as to how you are to respond to your culture. His Truth will always provide answers.