Religion is therefore a way of walking- a way of expression and a way to make passionate statements about one’s belief without forcing it on others.  However, many Native Americans were (and still are) imposed upon by Christian missionaries.  Some of these missionaries truly believe that they are saving “pagan souls.”  Regardless of intent, the fabric of many tribes was and is being destroyed by outside influence, of which the white man’s religion is a symbol.

 Christianity and the religions of many tribes do have more in common than not.  For instance, Christians believe in “God.”  The equivalent of this in many Native American cultures is referred to as “The One,” “The Source,” or symbolized by an animal, such as “The Raven” of the Alaskan tribes.  Both beliefs also include similar legends and tales, such as the Great Flood.  In the Bible, Noah builds an ark to save the species of the world from the Great Flood.  In Seneca mythology, Deer Man, having been able to run fast ahead in advance, leads his people to a dry climate.

 One crucial difference in these religions is the concept of evangelism.  Native religions did not ask its followers to evangelize.  Religion, culture and seasons were all intertwined.  Therefore, the culture often depended upon the religion.  Etiological myths explained when and why some tribes migrated during the winter.  Respect for nature and animals were also taught in these myths, including the White Buffalo story.  Many tribes hold a White Buffalo as a sacred animal, and many also depended upon the buffalo for food until the whites slaughtered them for hides.

 As more and more reservations were created for the Indians, the Christian missionaries often felt sympathetic toward them, and pitied them.  Instead of taking legislative action to prohibit the cruelty, they (sometimes inadvertently) destroyed the fabric of tribal culture.

 In Louise Erdrich’s novel “Tracks,” young and troubled Pauline adopts the ways of Christianity upon being scorned by her own people.  She becomes a nun, and while she asks forgiveness for her sins, she still makes herself suffer daily by wearing thorns to imitate Christ, or wearing her shoes on the wrong feet.
 Christianity is clearly a form of salvation for Pauline.  She feels personal guilt for what she has done to others throughout the novel, and by being encouraged to become a nun, she is told that humanity sins, thereby increasing her feelings of guilt.  Christianity is different from her culture.  In her tribe, her punishment was simply that of exclusion from the lives of others.  In Christianity, she was taught to be humble and to punish herself.  Instead of saving her, Christianity adds more punishment to Pauline as her list of guilt grows.  As a nun, Pauline must convince herself not to do so much as even think an impure thought (which she obviously could not stop herself from doing before hand) and acting upon these thoughts.

 Christianity also pulls Pauline away from her culture in other ways. While a baby is being born, Pauline simply prays to God and tells of her humbleness, while more practical Fleur uses traditional medicine to help the woman in labor.  On page 158, Pauline says:

 “Oh God who has seen fit to prove Thyself through the vessel of a woman, through me, Oh God who bound my wrists, who tripped me, Lord and Author of all Lies, hear Pauline.”

 Clearly this quote shows that Christianity is not helping Pauline.  She is now in confusion, caught between two religions, confused between many lives and many lies.  She tries to imitate God as she had imitated Fleur, and becomes reckless in her perception of His image.
 
 
 

                   Writing Main

All writing is copyright its author, 2002.
  Essay writing service. Order and buy essay services. Buy term papers.