An Indian chief once asked a Miissionary...

About the year 1826,Red Jacket,a Seneca chief,addressed a christian missionary with these words..
"You say that you are right and we are lost.How do we know this is true?
We understand that your religion is written in a book.If it was intended for us as well as for you,why had not the Great Spirit given it to us;and not only to us,but why did he not give it to our forfathers the knowledge of that Book,with the means to 'Understand' it right?"
the missionary...

[edit on 12-11-2004 by Horus_Re]

[edit on 12-11-2004 by Horus_Re]

[edit on 12-11-2004 by Horus_Re]

he also goes on to say that " the white man uses his religion like a coat. He
puts it on when he needs it and hangs it away when he doesnt."

I think that it is in the same discourse that Red Jacket also asks " how can you
say we are wrong when you can't even decide amoung yourselves who is
right?"

www.secularhumanism.org...

Hello there freinds,

I just googled Mr.Red Jacket, and may I say: what an amazing man !

You say that you are sent to instruct us how to worship the Great Spirit agreeably to His mind, and, if we do not take hold of the religion which you white people teach, we shall be unhappy hereafter. You say that you are right and we are lost. How do we know this is to be true? We understand that your religion is written in a book. If it was intended for us as well as you, why has not the Great Spirit given to us, and not only to us, but why did He not give to our forefathers the knowledge of that book, with the means of understanding it rightly? We only know what you tell us about it. How shall we know when to believe, being so often deceived by the white people?

Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the book?

Brother, the Great Spirit has made us all . . . we do not wish to destroy your religion or take it from you. We only want to enjoy our own . . . you say you have not come to get our land or our wealth but to enlighten our minds . . . you have been preaching to the white people in this place. These people are our neighbors. We are acquainted with them. We will wait a little while and see what effect your preaching has upon them. If we find it does them good, makes them honest and less disposed to cheat Indians, we will then consider again of what you have said.

Brother, you have now heard our answer to your talk, and this is all we have to say at present. As we are going to part, we will come and take you by the hand and hope the Great Spirit will protect you on your journey and return you safe to your friends.


It's sad to see the great wisdom of these masters superseded with the ignorance of society to label them as 'savages', 'drunk's -- who brought them alcohol again? -- and a great many other things that are just said through plain hubris.



Deep

in the years that i have studied NA history and beliefs i have come to understand that the elders were very wise and astute people, having a knowledge and understanding far beyond many today that call themselves
educated. Their ways were simple and direct. Kinda makes you wonder
where we would be today if their ways had won out instead of the black robes..


there is a story we tell of an elder and his Grandson that goes like this.

Grandson: Grandfather, the whites have 10 commandments that they follow(yeah right) . do we also have commandments?

Grandfather: Yes, Two.

Grandson: what are they?

Grandfather: Honor your Parents and Respect Humankind.

Grandson: Grandfather, why did Greatspirit give the whites 10 commandments and us only 2?

Grandfather: perhaps to confuse them.