American Indian Powwow

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T

tstumf

Guest
#1
I’m seeking some Christian wisdom here as to weather one who is committed to Christianity and is in the faith should attend a public entertainment exhibiting the American Indian powwow dances. I know historically the powwows were in Celebration and worship of the “Great Spirit “ from what I’m reading is that there were many similarities between their concept of the “Great Spirit “ or nature’s God and our Christianity’s biblical God. The way I’m understanding it is that their tribal knowledge was very limited of God as we know him as Christians but the basics are still there. My initial feelings are that they are celebrating the same God we as Christians are and it would be ok to attend but before I do attend Is there any information or wisdom I may not be aware of that would be contrary? I just want to be informed fully. I was raised near the tribe putting this public entertainment on but I’ve never attended one so I just want to make sure I’m not crossing some kind of spiritual hypocrisy or violating Gods commands about worshiping only him if we were to attend. Thoughts?
 

Subhumanoidal

Well-known member
Sep 17, 2018
4,060
3,173
113
#2
I’m seeking some Christian wisdom here as to weather one who is committed to Christianity and is in the faith should attend a public entertainment exhibiting the American Indian powwow dances. I know historically the powwows were in Celebration and worship of the “Great Spirit “ from what I’m reading is that there were many similarities between their concept of the “Great Spirit “ or nature’s God and our Christianity’s biblical God. The way I’m understanding it is that their tribal knowledge was very limited of God as we know him as Christians but the basics are still there. My initial feelings are that they are celebrating the same God we as Christians are and it would be ok to attend but before I do attend Is there any information or wisdom I may not be aware of that would be contrary? I just want to be informed fully. I was raised near the tribe putting this public entertainment on but I’ve never attended one so I just want to make sure I’m not crossing some kind of spiritual hypocrisy or violating Gods commands about worshiping only him if we were to attend. Thoughts?
Well from my understanding Indians are more nature worshippers, worshipping the creation, not the Creator.
Also many of their beliefs seem to fall similarly to Eastern beliefs, meaning what can be generally classified as New Age.
In fact it's not uncommon for New Agers to utilize American Indian religious elements into their meditations and spiritual practices.
Also it's common for Indians to be polytheistic, if I recall. Or at least believe in the assistance of other spirits, typically dead spirits.

Drawing a similar parallel to Christianity does not equate to being the same.
Being a seeker of truth, or close to truth is not the same thing as being in truth.

As to attendance, that's up to your conscience. If it were me I'd be fine going because I'm not going there to worship, but to be entertained.
Some here like to play God and dictate to others where their priority and conscience should be. Don't listen to others telling you how yoy should think. Let God be your guidance instead. Listen to the Personal conviction He gives to you, not what He gives to others.
 

Gideon300

Well-known member
Mar 18, 2021
5,357
3,158
113
#3
I’m seeking some Christian wisdom here as to weather one who is committed to Christianity and is in the faith should attend a public entertainment exhibiting the American Indian powwow dances. I know historically the powwows were in Celebration and worship of the “Great Spirit “ from what I’m reading is that there were many similarities between their concept of the “Great Spirit “ or nature’s God and our Christianity’s biblical God. The way I’m understanding it is that their tribal knowledge was very limited of God as we know him as Christians but the basics are still there. My initial feelings are that they are celebrating the same God we as Christians are and it would be ok to attend but before I do attend Is there any information or wisdom I may not be aware of that would be contrary? I just want to be informed fully. I was raised near the tribe putting this public entertainment on but I’ve never attended one so I just want to make sure I’m not crossing some kind of spiritual hypocrisy or violating Gods commands about worshiping only him if we were to attend. Thoughts?
Personally, I would not go. What you are seeing is a manifestation of the occult. The same applies to many African tribes, to Australian Aborigines and places like New Guinea. There is a reason why they call certain tribal leaders witch doctors.

Missionaries know what they are dealing with. Very often, the person they had to deal with was the witch doctor or medicine man. The battle was spiritual, not physical, for the most part. I've had personal experience with a witch doctor. As I said before, I'd avoid it if I were you.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
#4
Are you feeling a bit down. Listen to these fellas singing , seek their other songs, the harmony is enought to cheer up anyone.

 

Seeker47

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2018
1,129
962
113
#5
Amazing...how many Christians watch television?
 

Seeker47

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2018
1,129
962
113
#7
Pardon me but what are you referring to?
We are asking if watching a Native American dance presentation is satanic....and violates God's commandments to worship only Him...and if this is "Spiritual hypocrisy"....while we allow pure evil to be pumped everyday into our homes??? Just saying....
 
T

tstumf

Guest
#8
We are asking if watching a Native American dance presentation is satanic....and violates God's commandments to worship only Him...and if this is "Spiritual hypocrisy"....while we allow pure evil to be pumped everyday into our homes??? Just saying....

I understand. I actually haven’t watched tv save for a couple minutes here and there for a year. Yea I do pay attention and review my sons kid shows to make sure he’s watching something appropriate or alternately catching some of whatever my wife watches but it’s been about a year since I’ve intentionally sat down and ran through the channels for myself.

But yes I understand your point. I’m just about continuous improvement in my spiritual life and not stagnating in my faith.I’m wanting to walk in Step with God as close as I can . So every once in a while I have to put myself on check with my daily activities to make sure they are not hurting my walk with God or checking to make sure it’s something that won’t make me stumble. That’s the Only reason I made this post. Just wishing to improve my spiritual life any way possible even if that means avoiding something like a powwow that my old self would have enjoyed watching long ago.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
#11
So many of us already know this, but just in case. Using television, movies, books, guns radio, and so much more now with Internet and mobile phones *cells in the US(, are constantly censoring forourselves what is not good emitting from any of these items and others.

We choose what we believe by faith after we come to Jesus Yeshua. Before this we choose what we can fathom only.

I have been doing this since Fibber McGee and Molly on the Radio...Yeah, look up that one. God bless all in Yeshua Jesus, amen.
 

DeanM

Well-known member
May 4, 2021
549
315
63
#12
Watching Bugs Bunny this morning.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,377
9,383
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#13
Absolutely...but at least there are some good books.
There are no good shows?

I'm not up on the latest show, but when I was a kid Reading Rainbow was awesome!

Square one was pretty good too. A bit cheesy, even by a child's standards, but still pretty good.

Where in the world is Carmen San Diego was also interesting.

Looking back on what I just wrote, I now believe PBS is responsible for me being a nerd today.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,377
9,383
113
#14
In more useless areas, reboot was a pretty good cartoon about the world inside your computer. Rocky and Bullwinkle was awesome! And it takes a lot of sophistry to argue against Looney tunes. They were hilarious.

Go ahead, try to find something wrong with those.
 

Seeker47

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2018
1,129
962
113
#15
There are no good shows?

I'm not up on the latest show, but when I was a kid Reading Rainbow was awesome!

Square one was pretty good too. A bit cheesy, even by a child's standards, but still pretty good.

Where in the world is Carmen San Diego was also interesting.

Looking back on what I just wrote, I now believe PBS is responsible for me being a nerd today.
There may be some good shows but usually they are 'ol time rerun shows....but that's not the total issue with TV. Even with a good show, between episodes they are spewing trash, especially to young people. "Wealth is Everything" "You can have it all and have it now!" "Take this pill and everything will be OK" "This goop will make you beautiful" "Winning is the only Success" "This phone will make you popular". I can go on (I won't even mention clothing) but TV even manages to corrupt what little good is left.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,377
9,383
113
#16
Have you read a recent reader's digest? I won't even touch them anymore, because I don't want to be seen reading something that has advertisements like that.

The commercials really depend on the channel. My grandmother watches a channel with old matlock, Perry Mason and wild wild West reruns. The commercials there are mostly about health insurance and life insurance.
 

DeanM

Well-known member
May 4, 2021
549
315
63
#17
Have you read a recent reader's digest? I won't even touch them anymore, because I don't want to be seen reading something that has advertisements like that.

The commercials really depend on the channel. My grandmother watches a channel with old matlock, Perry Mason and wild wild West reruns. The commercials there are mostly about health insurance and life insurance.
Yep. MeTv I bet. Watching Gunsmoke right now.
 

Jase

Well-known member
Jun 9, 2021
775
445
63
#18
Many years ago, when my children were small and we were in Oklahoma, at the time,
There was an Indian dance presentation at the mall..when we were there
My kids were fascinated by the ritual, costumes, etc..
And we did not " fall into anything"......
I just thought it was "a learning experience" to have them see another culture.
 

DeanM

Well-known member
May 4, 2021
549
315
63
#19
Attended a funeral a couple months ago. The preacher was most likely internet ordained but not sure. He said an indian prayer or two. White woman was who the funeral was for. Strange goings on.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
#20
I have heard that the Indigenous peoples of what is now called America knew the Gospel but did not have a name to put with it.

Apparently it was understood bia the stars. It speaks of a dragon attacking a woman. I know in astrophysics there is a formation of stars that goes around the globe called the dragon and it is facing the seated woman, the constellation called Cassiopeia

I do not know all of the particulars, however it was said that men would come and explain all come its time for them..

I do believe in all things good and all things beautiful, therefore I like to believe this is all related to the Son of the Most High God. Perhaps someone here knows this story completely, this has been all I have to related. No it does not replace in any manner the Word, but it is something to ponder.