As I read Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha’s speech to the missionary I was really impressed. Not only did he make quite a few amazingly valid points about how similar his religion was to that of the missionary, but he was fair and kind. Today people often forget the similarities amongst religions and fail to see through their assumptions, and this passage was a great reminder of that.
One of the questions Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha asked the missionary that really struck me was when he asked, “If there is only one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it?” So many Europeans who came to this country in search of religious freedom all claimed to be the one true religion based on the Bible so no wonder it was confusing to the Native Americans who inhabited the land first. Even still, so many Christian faiths claim to be more truthful than the next, but all have a very similar basis of thought. To someone like me, who is relatively uninformed on the various Christian religions, this is such an obvious question and yet it is never asked.
Another thing that made an impression on me was the level of tolerance expressed by Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha. He said that the Great Spirit has made them all, yet made them differently, so why not embrace the differences and accept it? Basically, why not agree to disagree but hold no hate or resentment for it? What a novel idea! This idea seems so simple and really, well, logical and yet it is so difficult for people to do.
I understand the desire or need to share what you know to be the truth with others - it always feels good when you think you're helping someone out - but if you have to force them to “see the truth” is it really sharing? Is it really bettering them or is it hurting them and making you the tyrant? The latter is just bad all around and it happens much too often, in history and today.
If more people could learn to embrace tolerance and probe their own beliefs (not to necessarily discourage them, but to also make their conviction stronger) I think there would be much less conflict!
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I also love how he responded with such tolerance. When someone approaches you with judgements, which is how the missionary approached them, you have no desire to listen. They responded very graciously and with great tolerance. I also loved your line "agree to disagree but hold no hate or resentment for it". This seems so simple to us, but it's a crazy idea for this paradigm. Too bad this idea was thought up a bit too late.
ReplyDelete“If there is only one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it?” I certainly agree with you that that is an obvious question to ask when it comes to all religions, especially when a person isn't familiar with a particular faith. I found it really interesting that he was able to make points and ask questions that are still relevant today. It's pretty amazing when you think about it.
ReplyDelete"I understand the desire or need to share what you know to be the truth with others - it always feels good when you think you're helping someone out - but if you have to force them to “see the truth” is it really sharing? Is it really bettering them or is it hurting them and making you the tyrant?" I was really impressed with this portion of your blog. It was really insightful and made me think about my own experiences with people trying to change my own religious beliefs. I always seem to be the only Jew in a group of people and everyone always tries to prove to me how my beliefs are wrong and how I should convert. Like you said, I always appreciate when someone is concerned and I understand that they want me to be "saved," but what they don't realize is that they come off as being narrow minded and insulting to my beliefs and my cultural traditions instead of helping me to "see the truth." I'm personally of the opinion that all ideas, both from believers and non-believers, have good points. I wish that more people could learn to be tolerant of differing opinions. There certainly would be less conflict!
Your last statement is so true! i definitely agree because too often people go to bat for their religion and start throwing around accusations and facts that are not necessarily accurate. If people actually dug into the religion they are so defensive of, they might actually have a leg to stand on when debates arise.
ReplyDeleteI love your title "Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha is My Homeboy!"
ReplyDeleteYou say, "I understand the desire or need to share what you know to be the truth with others - it always feels good when you think you're helping someone out..." I think it is really helpful that you can recognize that. When people are trying to convert someone, it may be helpful to gracefully bridge the gap and recognize they mean well and care, and that's why they are trying to share. Some times I think people sharing is met with such hostility that the caring is overlooked. Sometimes we have to be big enough to not be offended, but instead to look to the heart and lovingly seek peace. Likewise, if the people sharing could share and visibly love at the same time, how much more effective would that be?