Peyotism and the Native American Church Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Peyotism and the Native American Church - Essay Example Peyotism is, essentially, the ingestion of the Peyote, a psychoactive, small, spineless cactus, for religious purposes. Peyote is native to certain parts of Texas and Mexico, and the tribes that settled there have been reported to use it for a long time. There are Inquisition cases that dealt with peyote usage as early as 1614 (Stewart 1980:300). Though there are many prevailing theories about the exact route through which peyote use came to the Native American tribes that were not settled in the regions were this cactus grows, however, this much is clear that the tribes that practiced peyotism taught the practice to either those they had captured, or took the religious practice with them even when they were displaced from their original settlements. According to Stewart, it was the Lipan who were primary contributors to the course that led to the founding of the Peyote Religion in Oklahoma (1974:218), and La Barre agrees (49). Slowly, but surely, peyotism spread; it took on many asp ects of both traditional religious rituals of the Native Americans, along with amalgamating Christian themes within. La Barre states that as early as 1876, the Oto and the Sac were learning a Christianized version of Peyotism from the Tonkawa directly (as cited in Stewart 1974:216). Peyotism evolved and became what is now the Native American Church: a Christian church, with many Native American rituals. Just where the syncretism originated is not quite clear, but the fact remains that the members of this Church consider themselves to be practicing something that â€Å"incorporates distinctly Christian teaching and practices† (Feraca 2001:60). But the fact that most of their practices are frowned upon by the Catholics and the Protestants alike (La Barre 1960) for being incompatible with their practices clearly shows that there are some distinct native rituals that are practiced by this Church. Feraca maintains that at first glance, the paraphernalia used during Church meetings , both of the Half Moon and the Cross Fire sects, looks non-Christian (2001:61). The traditional beaded staff, the single-headed metal drum with three legs of the Cross Fire, and the peyote all are seemingly alien to Christianity, however, to Church goers they represent the walking staff of Christ, the three legs the Trinity, and the peyote itself is the host (ibid.). Similarly, the eagle, the turtle and the water bird symbols used by the Half Moon are considered to be the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit respectively (Ruby 2010:59). All these symbols, paraphernalia and rituals were part of the traditional religions of the tribes, but have now been amalgamated into a new form of Christianity that is practiced by the Natives almost exclusively. Emerson Spider, Sr., who was a Reverend of the Native American Church, when talking about this fusion put it so, â€Å"We are Indian people, and we still have some of our traditional ways†¦There are traditional things that we still have†¦because we grew up with them and we’re Indians† (1987:207). In his article about revitalization movements, Anthony Wallace states that revitalization movements take place when there is dissatisfaction amongst most of the population with the cultural

Business Communication Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Business Communication - Assignment Example In the high-context cultures of Japan, China, Arab nations, and most of Latin America, the use of ambiguity and a polite language is the preferred way of conveying a message, while in low-context countries of Scandinavia, the United States of America, Germany, and most of Europe, direct and often frank or confrontational ways of communication are much preferred (â€Å"say what you mean!†). Verbs, metaphors, aphorisms, similes, anecdotes and even silence are used in the high-context cultures to deliver a strong message without diluting its importance (Norales 25). Some key elements of text messaging which should be avoided in electronic mails or e-mail messages are writing informally (since an e-mail is considered more formal than a text message sent by a cellular phone or any mobile device) such as not putting proper headings or proper greetings to the recipient/s, using shortened versions of commonly-used words, usually not checking for proper grammar or spelling mistakes, an d not crafting a good subject line. A person's professionalism shows through in his or her work output; any spelling or grammar mistakes is indicative of a lousy work attitude by not properly checking for these mistakes or errors and having a hectic or busy schedule is no excuse for committing them. A really professional office worker takes time to proofread everything before sending them out, and it is reflective of a good work attitude such as giving due attention to details. It forms part of being a professional such as wearing proper office attire or having a cheerful attitude to all colleagues. So it is a fair basis for making judgment about a person and his work habits as any error-free document shows that person took time to be diligent (Lindsell-Roberts 18). Comprehension implies knowledge and understanding to denote the fact of grasping the meaning, importance, significance, or nature of a thing or an event. In this regard, the idea of comprehension is usually universal bec ause it indicates that if everybody comprehends the same thing or event, there is a general agreement on what it means or its overall significance. On the other hand, interpretation is the act or process of explaining something, such as natural phenomena that was observed, and the way it was comprehended or understood but with the additional layer of being subjective, because the person who interprets something does so in a way that is colored by his own beliefs, customs, knowledge, skills, and even prejudice or bias. There can be different interpretations of the same thing but only one comprehension of it. A provocative question is any question which seeks to instigate or cause arguments, actions, discussions, or even problems and quarrels from the other party to which a question has been addressed to. A provocative question can either be good or bad, depending on the context and intent for which it was originally posed or asked. It is good if it aims to promote a new line of think ing, for example. It is bad if it creates dissension or division or even anger. A question is authentic