The definition of a "Heathen" is a person who does not belong to a widely held religion especially one who is not a Christian, Jew or Muslim as regarded by those who do. An individual of a people that do not acknowledge the "God" of the Bible. The Native American Indian People were described as "Heathens" since the arrival of Christopher Columbus in (1492). Native American Indian religious beliefs focus around nature which includes the landscape, animals, plants and other environmental elements. Many of the legends passed down were an attempt to explain events that occurred in nature. In the past Native American Indian religious beliefs were not classified as a religion. Their beliefs were not understood and the complexity of their religion was not seen. In the place of preachers and clergymen were shaman and medicine men. They were wise and experienced and they enjoyed a higher level of status among their groups. They had important roles in decisions, ceremonies and traditions. The Native American Indian People believe in a "Creator" that is no different than other religions. They believed in protecting and preserving all living things including the environment because they were created and designed for a specific purpose. Just because their religious beliefs are different than other religious beliefs this does not make them bad, just different. The fact that they believe in a "Creator" is proof that they are not "Heathens." The Native American Indian People have been practicing their religious beliefs for thousands of years and they deserve to be treated with the same respect and dignity as any other ethnic group or race of human beings who practice their religion. Just because you do not practice the religion of a Christian, Jew or Muslim this does not make you a "Heathen." We must eliminate and eradicate some of the racist and prejudice bigoted definitions from our vocabulary and vinacular if we want to eliminate and eradicate religious intolerance and bigotry.
THE DEFINITION OF A "HEATHEN"
The definition of a "Heathen" is a person who does not belong to a widely held religion especially one who is not a Christian, Jew or Muslim as regarded by those who do. An individual of a people that do not acknowledge the "God" of the Bible. The Native American Indian People were described as "Heathens" since the arrival of Christopher Columbus in (1492). Native American Indian religious beliefs focus around nature which includes the landscape, animals, plants and other environmental elements. Many of the legends passed down were an attempt to explain events that occurred in nature. In the past Native American Indian religious beliefs were not classified as a religion. Their beliefs were not understood and the complexity of their religion was not seen. In the place of preachers and clergymen were shaman and medicine men. They were wise and experienced and they enjoyed a higher level of status among their groups. They had important roles in decisions, ceremonies and traditions. The Native American Indian People believe in a "Creator" that is no different than other religions. They believed in protecting and preserving all living things including the environment because they were created and designed for a specific purpose. Just because their religious beliefs are different than other religious beliefs this does not make them bad, just different. The fact that they believe in a "Creator" is proof that they are not "Heathens." The Native American Indian People have been practicing their religious beliefs for thousands of years and they deserve to be treated with the same respect and dignity as any other ethnic group or race of human beings who practice their religion. Just because you do not practice the religion of a Christian, Jew or Muslim this does not make you a "Heathen." We must eliminate and eradicate some of the racist and prejudice bigoted definitions from our vocabulary and vinacular if we want to eliminate and eradicate religious intolerance and bigotry.
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1 Comments
I loved reading all of this information.. I highly respect the native americans and feel so embarrassed of how they have been treated in this country.they should be honored they are the backbone of this nation.
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