Good one Dusty Walk in Beauty Elkdreamer >From: rusty-old-car@webtv.net >Reply-To: CHAHTA-L@rootsweb.com >To: CHAHTA-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: [CHAHTA] Spirituality and religion >Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2001 01:31:32 -0500 (CDT) > >We are all born with this deep seeded spirituality in our hearts but in >a society such as ours it seems to take a lot introspect to bring it to >a realization. Contrary to the belief of some this knowledge was not >just given to the indian peoples though time may not have left us not as >far removed as others it is universal knowledge. Every woman, every man, >are our sisters and brothers although we may not always agree (and we >may not want to claim them) they are ours all the same. Every plant, >every animal, they are our relatives (consider them distant cousins if >one would prefer) but we are related. >Now, it seems that in Christianity "God created everything" Then would >it not also be true in christianity that we are all related? I am told >that in the bible it also says man is "master" of all that is created. >True that would put us right at the top but was that meant to say "man >should do as he pleases" the word seems to imply a great responsibility >to me. To be a true master of all would one not have to also be a >steward to all. To take without asking and without giving thanks for >what is received would seem to me to be thievery. >The question was asked does an animal running away from a hunter give up >its life to the hunter and require to be thanked? Let me answer the >question in this way the creator saw that we hunt the deer, we shoot the >deer, (We evite friends over for beer and barbeque, whatever) The >creator could have saw to it that bullets and arrows bounced of the >dears and they walked over and kicked our a__ and ate us when the family >gathered for dinner. However, this is not the case and the deer runs. >The creator did not make things so whoever needed a snack could come >take a bite out of the deer either. The deer enjoys its life but it as >well as any animal knows that where it is in creation and so the bargain >of the hunt was struck. The deer says "if you are cleaver enough my life >falls into your hands to do with as you please if you fail to be so >cleaver then my life is my on and perhaps you should dig for roots or >something a little more your speed my friend. >A person gives thanks to an animal when it gives its life because it >would be plain rude if one did not. And on such a great sacrifice the >animal makes the absolute least one could do is be respectful. >Personally, I think spirituality is best discussed person to person. Why >I am putting my thoughts in now I could only guess as a lack of >judgement. > >rusty > > >==== CHAHTA Mailing List ==== >Need more CHOCTAW information?? Visit Judy White's pages at >http://accessgenealogy.com/native for rolls, data, etc. > _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com