Lakota Declaration of War (evolution, religion, funeral, minority)
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Of course people are free to do what they want with their lives and follow any religious creed, or none at all, that they please. However that doesn't mean that members of every religious faith or creed have to be welcoming to everyone. Many ancient religions were very tied to the culture and people that they sprung up from. The idea of an outsider practicing their ways was unfathomable. Again you're free to do whatever you want but the Lakota are free to reject you.
I never said otherwise. I just think they see the curiosity from others as something negative when it isn't. Most nature based faiths share a lot of basics. Learning about how others see it is common. It is not the *intent* of someone curious to offend, just want to know. Nor do I think most who are curious want to 'join the tribe'. Information is not evil or good, just information. If I wasn't wanted at a ceremony, then okay fine. But to talk about the beliefs and explain is good. It does not mean its going to make anything less respectful that others undersand what drives a culture. In fact it gives *more*.
Something mysterious and secret and not for the outside just *invites* suspicision to some.
There have been charletans using religion for centuries. Its never 'soiled' the religion they are useing to true believers. If they aren't they are just words. If people wish to give their money then there isn't anything anyone can do. It is also their choice. You can't ban some form of religion unless its offically sacnctified by some person or you are bringing back the inquisition.
With all the real problems native americans face, especially on the reservations, I think making themselves look hostile to people who by and large mean NO harm is just hurting themselves. Even if there was a Lakota nation, if someone wants to co opt known lore, then they can. You can't own an idea. Just as there are muslems who think insulting their religion should be banned (it won't be) and there are christans who find a statue offensive and couldn't make it go away, some guy who sells his own self styled sweatlodge act is not going to be shut down unless he's causing injury. That is the way the law works. Why not live with it?
And I do understand the point of view but don't buy it as a reason to demand the law and culture of this society be different for one party. That is something which should never be allowed to happen.
The point that people are missing, and that the Lakota declaration was addressing, is the people out there claiming to be "indian shamans" and charging for their services whilst offering up a bastardized, cobbled together piece of crap as "authentic" spirituality. Sorry but someone wearing a pentacle, calling themselves Raventiger or some such nonsense, charging money for a sweatlodge and being about as native as a Hyundai Sonata is the issue. These are the fakes and charlatans that need to be run out of business.
Agreed, *if* they are just doing it for money. Maybe they aren't. But does this make them any different from christan charletans who do the same thing and collect a whole lot more? I don't have a problem with promoting a belief if its honest. If its a con game then its a cheat. Religious con games are very profitable since you can't say cease and decist unless they break the law. How do you *prove* that their 'belief' is only a ruse when it has to be linked to something concrete? Just making money isn't enough. Religion routienly makes a lot of money.
I find it very disturbing when those outsiders come to my people and want to take our ceremonies and rituals and try to incorporate them into some kind of religious belief for monetary purposes.
That's fine. You can be as disturbed as you want to be. I doubt anyone will care.
About the only thing you can do is form an association like the "Lakota Ceremony Performers" and make sure your members are qualified. Then you can hope people who want Lakota-like performers only hire LCP-certified members.
The point that people are missing, and that the Lakota declaration was addressing, is the people out there claiming to be "indian shamans" and charging for their services whilst offering up a bastardized, cobbled together piece of crap as "authentic" spirituality. Sorry but someone wearing a pentacle, calling themselves Raventiger or some such nonsense, charging money for a sweatlodge and being about as native as a Hyundai Sonata is the issue. These are the fakes and charlatans that need to be run out of business.
It was addressing a whole lot more then that they don't even want universities to teach about them.
Either way it is not like this is something new or special. People have been mad about this type of stuff for a long time, in fact there is a word to describe it..."heretic." I am sure the Lakota don't like perceived heretics any more then any other religion, but its going to happen and there is nothing they can do about it. So it is really just something to get steamed over that doesn't have any sort of resolution that is acceptable or even possible.
That's fine. You can be as disturbed as you want to be. I doubt anyone will care.
About the only thing you can do is form an association like the "Lakota Ceremony Performers" and make sure your members are qualified. Then you can hope people who want Lakota-like performers only hire LCP-certified members.
That's quite a nice idea. 'Accept no substitutes. Make sure your ceremonial is certified authentic by Ceremony authentification board'.
That's quite a nice idea. 'Accept no substitutes. Make sure your ceremonial is certified authentic by Ceremony authentification board'.
Yeah, that works in other professions.
If you want a golf teacher, you would prefer one certified by the PGA (Professional Golfers Association). If you want a car mechanic, you look for one that is ASE cetified.
If the Lakotas were serious about this issue, they would do the American thing and form an association to certify their ceremony performers. That would certainly be more effective than declaring war.
If you want a golf teacher, you would prefer one certified by the PGA (Professional Golfers Association). If you want a car mechanic, you look for one that is ASE cetified.
If the Lakotas were serious about this issue, they would do the American thing and form an association to certify their ceremony performers. That would certainly be more effective than declaring war.
Why should the Lakota do the American thing, they're not Americans, their Lakota and were Lakota long before the United States of America came into existence.
That's fine. You can be as disturbed as you want to be. I doubt anyone will care.
About the only thing you can do is form an association like the "Lakota Ceremony Performers" and make sure your members are qualified. Then you can hope people who want Lakota-like performers only hire LCP-certified members.
None of the Spiritual leaders would perform for a person who is not Lakotah. It is not a performance or show to them. It is a religious ceremony. Not for entertainment. There is no need for an association the tribes know who their religious leaders are.
An analogy would be a non-Catholic pose as a Catholic priest and perform Baptisms for the pleasure of non-Catholics and claim the kids are now officially baptized Catholics.
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