spirituality..

[TEXAS DIGGER]

Hey, does anyone have any reading material i can read on some Native religions? Like.. there bible.... which would be a book of tales.. or something... i would really appreciate anything... and im not talking post white man.. Christianity seems to seep its way into most religions..(NO OFFENSE) im talking PRE stuff...... thanks anyone!. I will trade some points for some books or somthing
TEX.

[drdave514]

If you look on amazon.com and search ' native american religion ' there are a slew of books out there. I've not read any of the though so I don't have an opinion on which ones are good.

[Indianasmith]

The only problem is that none of the North American tribes had a written language, so their faith was passed down strictly by word of mouth. Since they all suffered massive cultural trauma, dislocation, and death, what we have of their religious beliefs are just scraps and pieces . . . many of their so-called medicine men today have had to cobble together what they could from the wreckage of their faith in the last three centuries. I imagine the original native practicioners would have a hard time recognizing their gods as they are portrayed today.

[joshuaream]

Indy is correct for pre-contact groups in the US. However there is plenty of information on pre-contact religions from The Aztec, Mayan, and Incan areas.

There is also a wealth of information on post contact groups (Sioux, Navajo, etc.) here in the US, but a lot of it comes from 3rd party views and may not be accurate or without bias. If someone asked me to describe Islam, I might be factually correct on the basic ideology, but my personal views would also come through.

[DesertWalker]

Isn't that what religion is, just generational views passed on? Here's a couple with some interesting reading.

"Black Elk Speaks"
"Seven Arrows"

Go to your library. Just keep looking, the answers will come.

[TEXAS DIGGER]

Thank everyone for your help.. Indy, that's the conclusion that i have come to by my research.. i was just reaching out here to see if someone had....anything..
and i will check those out Desert Walker.. thanks so much guys.
TEX.