MAJOR spiritual dilemma
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2005 11:32 pm
I have had an interest in paganism for about five or six years now, and one thing has bugged me over this time more than anything else: I am very strongly drawn to the Chumash Indian religion of southern California, but I am almost 100% white (very small percentage Delaware Indian). I have educated myself extensively on Wicca and the Euro-centric neopagan religions, but none of them have resonated as strongly with me as the Chumash tradition, which I have also read deeply into from the handful of books providing information on this people's religion and spirituality. I am very conflicted, because most- if not all- Native Americans frown HEAVILY on non-Indians adopting their spirituality- but I just can't help what is so strongly pulling me in! I do not wish to disrespect any people or ethnic group by making a mockery of their religion, but I do not at the same time feel that the more Euro-centric religions have the same "fit" for me. I don't know what to do, who to believe, or where to go from here...any suggestions?