Native Amer. Church

	Imagine a Christian church service that goes on all night. There are fervent prayers and songs. Hymns are accompanied by symbolic rattles and a drum. The service is always held in a Plains-style tipi, even if the participants might be Navajo or Cherokee. Let's just say it's not your typical church service. Many anti-drug crusaders have criticized the denomination for its use of the hallucinogen peyote. Followers of the Native American Church, however,
hold that use of Peyote is an ancient Native American tradition & that the goal of peyote use is to achieve revelation from the Christian God. The Native American Church was incorporated as a denomination in 1918, and it has many participating members. What are features of the Native American Church service? What is the significance of the objects in the picture? What Christian symbolism do they have? Do all followers share the same beliefs and symbolism? What about the waterbird imagery? What special role do women have in the service? What does the law say about use of a controlled substance in a church service? (An important N.A. Church case went all the way to the Supreme Court.) What are the historical roots of the Native American Church? Because this is such a different approach to Christian worship and ceremony, you'll want to keep an open mind so you can encounter this topic fairly. Keep MRP guidelines in mind. Pick this one & become an expert on a unique Christian tradition. Tell us about it!
Peyote Drummer, photograph by Edward S. Curtis

Bibliography: (Important: When searching in indexes, look for "Native American Church," "Peyote Religion," and "peyote"-- it could be indexed in any of these ways.)

American Indians (R 970.004 Am3)

Bahti. Southwestern Indian Ceremonials

Dutton. American Indians of the Southwest

Handbook of North American Indians (R 970.004 H19)

Hultkrantz. The Religions of the American Indians

Lessard, “Instruments of Prayer” American Indian Art Magazine. Spring 1984

Lindig. Navajo: Tradition and Change in the Southwest

Native America in the 20^th Century (R 970.00497 N21)

Peyote Road (video)

Underhill. Red Man’s Religion

Vecsey (ed) Handbook of American Indian Religious Freedom