Differences between New Age and American Indian beliefs

Indian beliefs
1 Pluralism. Indian beliefs are generally pluralistic, meaning that your beliefs are right for you, and our beliefs are right for us. There's a caveat, however: The religion that is "right" for you is determined by your nationality. I know little about Hopi beliefs, for example.

2 Indian beliefs hold that spirituality is deeply taboo, especially when talking with foreigners.

3 Method of transferring information. There are no Indian sacred texts; we transfer information orally. In fact, most Indian languages have no written form. (And BTW, those that do are significantly different from non-Indian written languages.) Further, it is ONLY transferred in that language.

4 Outlook. Completely integrated into one's lifestyle, not thought of as "religion" as much as a way of life.

5 Ancestors communicate with Indians.

6 Nation-specific. ALL Indians know what nation they belong to, and traditionals practice the beliefs of their respective nations.

7 Faith is based on community.

8 Structure. People have set roles in rituals.

9 Even offering money makes a ceremony useless.

New Age beliefs
1 Syncretism. New Age beliefs mix and match. Mix Hopi prophecies with Lakota ceremonies, as well as non-Indian beliefs such as karma, zen, channeling, tarot cards, paranormal, Western psychology, tantra, and God only knows what else in a haphazard manner, and you've got a typical New Age cocktail.

2 Taboos. New Age has no taboos.

3 Method of transferring information. New Age belief systems usually have MANY books. These books will run anywhere from $5.99 for a paperback version to $29.99 for a hardcover. Many other media are used in New Age.

4 Outlook. Grab bag; views Indian beliefs as compatible with Western philosophy.

5 Ancestors communicate with non-Indians.

6 Generic stereotypes. Obvious mixing, such as totem poles and dream catchers, can be found. Generally speaking, New Agers have only recently discovered their Indian heritage, if they have any at all.

7 Faith is based on the individual.

8 Anyone can be whatever they want. If everyone wants to be a drummer, everyone's a drummer.

9 Money. Rituals are done for money.

Jim, thank you for giving me these.
Does the idea of 'evolution' have any value in Indian life?

Jim River wrote:Indian beliefs
1 blah blah blah...
9 Even offering money makes a ceremony useless.

10. Plagiarism...

worldwideweb.bigorrin.org/archive25.htm

Jim River type with forked fingers.

Panama Red wrote:

Jim River wrote:Indian beliefs
1 blah blah blah...
9 Even offering money makes a ceremony useless.

10. Plagiarism...

worldwideweb.bigorrin.org/archive25.htm

Jim River type with forked fingers.

Never claimed I wrote it, mac.

Oh come on this is not mac unless its one of the copies that are trolling the web. One of you claims to speak with honesty for Indigenous North American Indians one against. My feeling is neither of you are who you claim This forum is not New Age so Jim Rivers comments are invalid Panorama Red's are just plainly rather rude.

Move on Scorpio53 is a genuine Indigenous North American Indian and this is her area of the forum do not deface it needlessly.

Jim River wrote:

Panama Red wrote:

Jim River wrote:Indian beliefs
1 blah blah blah...
9 Even offering money makes a ceremony useless.

10. Plagiarism...

worldwideweb.bigorrin.org/archive25.htm

Jim River type with forked fingers.

Never claimed I wrote it, mac.

Just copied it and pasted without attribution.

10. Plagiarism...

No one here for years! Good thread topic here.

Bullies and those who Troll are seeking to control a forum. Topic does not matter. However, it might be interesting to follow through on this topic with out venom and nasty personal comments. See what truths we can uncover.