This was a way of remaining connected with traditional practices and ways of living that allowed the Native American identity to flourish and endure. Many Natives during this evangelistic period denied Christianity entirely and another road emerged, the Indian Road. The sad truth is, this is just but one example of the MANY injustices done to Native Americans in ‘taking the Jesus Road.” Many Indigenous people to this day are still unable to speak about these tragedies that they endured firsthand and for those that are speaking out, the pain and lasting implications are poignant to say the very least. The results from this have and continue to bring tears to the eyes of onlookers at the injustices done in the name of evangelism in a very dark chapter of American history. government efforts to eradicate the languages, identities and cultural practices of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians,” (Schatz, ). This recently came to light in a heartbreaking way as “Interior Secretary Deb Haaland advocated for a Truth and Healing Commission to examine past U.S. This evangelical movement quickly became known as the ‘Jesus Road.’ For many, ‘taking the Jesus Road,’ meant an utter and complete denial of Native American identity so that ‘salvation’ could be achieved in the whitewashing of Indigenous Peoples. In fact, some argue that that fateful year of 1492 was the beginning of a momentous change motivated by exploration and false doctrines of “Inter Caetera," that authorized Spain and Portugal the ”holy” right to colonize, convert, and enslave the Americas and its Native peoples as subjects. The language of this blog title may seem a bit strange to some, for others it may seem more like an oxymoron, and then there will always be those who have no clue to the hidden indicators that lie beneath the surface of these words “Finding God on the Indian Road.” The blunt and sad truth is that the Christian church has had a very tumultuous past with Native American peoples over the past couple of centuries.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |