mostlymad

This is a continuation from a thread on "Reason for Hijab: Womens hair emits dangerous sex rays " in the Political Discussions section. People started sharing information on religions, so I thought it might be better to continue the religion one over here so we don't interrupt people who want to discuss those wicked sex rays.

Here is my answer on what I know of North American Native religion/spirituality, in two posts, one researched a little, and the other from a personal perspective. While the Lakotas in the US, I believe, are trying to form a more recognized, structured religion, there isn't a definite Native religion, precisely, that all Natives follow.

Some general info on Native North American religion:

Deity: A common concept is that of a dual divinity. I don’t know of any groups who are polytheistic. There is a Creator (Sky God, Great Spirit, Great Father, etc) who is responsible for the creation of the world. With christian/native belief, this is the same god as the christian one, but gentler, and more concerned about us abusing the Earth and resources than about sin. I don’t think sin is a concept with native religions, except where christianity has been introduced. Some groups also believe in a hero/trickster who has more direct contact with humans and teaches them proper behaviour, survival skills, etc.

Most believe that there are also spirits controlingl the weather, interacting with humans, and others who inhabit the world. Simultaneously the Creator and the spirits may be perceived as a single spiritual force. These spirits can display themselves through people, animals, objects.

Creation: Individual tribes have differing stories of Creation. One belief is that in the beginning, the world was populated by many people. Most were subsequently transformed into animals. Natives thus feel a close bond with animals because of their shared human ancestry. Dogs are excluded from this relationship. I have no idea why. This bond with animals is shown in the frequent rituals in which animal behavior is simulated. Each species has its master; for example, the deer have a master deer who is larger than all the others. The master of humans is the Creator.

Sacred Texts: I read that some tribes have complex forms of writing, but I am not familiar with them. In Canada, tribes have preserved their spiritual beliefs as an oral tradition.

Afterlife: In general, Native religions have no precise belief about life after death. Some believe in reincarnation, with a person being reborn either as a human or animal after death. Others believe that humans return as ghosts, or that people go to an other world. Encounters with ghosts, usually friendly, are common. Others believe that nothing definitely can be known about one's fate after this life. Combinations of belief are common. More focus seemed to have been (and still is) placed on this life, except where christian belief has dominated native belief when the two are combined.

Celebrations: The Sun Dance is perceived as a replay of the original creation. It fulfilled many religious purposes: to give thanks to the Creator, to pray for the renewal of the people and earth, to promote health, etc. It also gave an opportunity for people to socialize and renew friendships with other groups. A sweat lodge purifies the participants and readies them for lengthy fasting and dancing.

Hunting ceremonies: these involve the ritual treatment of a bear or other animal after its killing during a successful hunt. The goal is to appease its spirit and convince other animals to be willing to be killed in the future.

Other ceremonies: Dream quests - where someone fasts and goes out into the wilderness until they are contacted by a spirit who gives them a vision.

Circles: important symbol, reflecting the circle of life where everything fits in, changes, contributes to the universe.

Animals: have souls and can be spirit guides, but everyone has their own spirit guide which can be revealed through a dream quest, vision, meditation, etc.

Meditation: plays a heavy role in native religion/spirituality. Much like Buddhism, truth is found in meditation.