Theos-Talk Archives (April 1996 Message tl01093)

>>..., I still find the word useful in talking
>>about the creative, self-becoming aspect of life that
>>seeks to bring forth more into the world and seeks out
>>of compassion to uplift and enlighten sentient beings.
>
>Being not only a Shaman but a very active healer and psychic, I more than
>simply appreciate the sacredness of all life both inner and outer. But I
>cannot see religion has being properly present in that paradigm. Religion is
>about power and control and profit, and that is all it is about, now or ever
>in the past. Religion is the crystallization of spirit. Religion is totally
>dichotomous with spirit. Religion certainly has nothing to do with
>"enlightenment".

	I would remind everyone that the American Indians found
a sacredness to life every day of their lives, and were an extremely
religious people.  Yes they had no church, no institution, and no
word in their vocabulary that would equate to "religion."  Thus the
Christian invaders thought them totally heathen and ungodly.  Then
the conversions began.  Most Indians today would prefer the older
Shamanistic way of life then the institutionalized religion that they
have been forced to adopt.

	Jerry S.
	Member, TI