The Cherokees and Native Americans are often viewed as heathens by people in the south along the Bible Belt and the Appalachian Region. However, it is important for individuals to realize that Christianity played a vital role for the Cherokees. The Cherokees in particular were spiritual in their beliefs and they also prayed in their own ways, they accepted the Europeans beliefs because of their openness within several organizations. Overtime several different denominations began to enter into Cherokee lands and slowly began to preach, settle, and eventually convert numerous Cherokees into Christianity.

The Native American culture, having been commonly viewed as heathens by Christians, had their own sets of beliefs prior to the Christianization efforts. Christians did not and some still do not realize that their forms of worship and their beliefs are not that different from Cherokee traditions. The Cherokees believed in a Supreme Being, who was the Creator of all. The term spiritual for the Cherokee culture meant an “active and alive flow of energy that connects us all to the Universal Spirit.” [1] Garrett also describes that to a Cherokee being spiritual is similar to holding on to something that we value, such as a lesson in life that we are taught. That is directly related to the way in which we are brought up as children, and how each family teaches and stresses different moral and traditional values to their offspring. While the term spiritual is interchangeable between a way of life for the Cherokees or a religious belief, the spiritual paths of the Cherokees were not taken away by the Europeans who tried to Christianize them. In fact it seemed that the Cherokees wanted to fit into the European culture and by converting to Christianity they were able to fit in and for them that meant become a more civilized culture as a whole.

Prayer is also another term that people associate with Christianity and modern religions. However, the basis of the term was set years ago by the Native Americans. Prayers for them were often in the form of chants or ceremonies. During a prayer the Cherokees did not ask for anything but guidance, but more commonly prayers were believed to be used to give thanks. “The process of praying for Native Americans is fairly open, but subtle; we use certain hand movements…the same is true [for Native Americans] with pointing the open palm(s) toward the sky in ceremonies, which signifies giving thanks to the Universal Spirit and the Great One.” [2] A prayer may be sent by the offering of tobacco much as the tithes that are paid to a church today.

The Cherokee beliefs were generally polytheistic and the belief in multiple gods existed, but one was held to a higher stature than the others. For instance, they believed that the setting Sun was the holder of evil gods, the reason most of their dwellings had openings that only pointed to the east toward the rising sun. Most believed in some form of afterlife and believed that during the afterlife there would either be punishments or rewards meted out by the Great Spirit. One Cherokee after the conversion to Christianity described his belief prior as: “To reverence the great and Supreme Being, love my friends deeply and to take vengeance on my enemies [and after converting to Christianity] In the Indian devotion there is nothing like pure religion. Tho’ they have faint ideas of Deity, yet they are far from loving him with all the heart.” [3] The Christian Cherokee reported his findings in 1823; nearly 25 years after the missionaries began entering the Cherokee country.  

The process of Christianizing the Cherokees was a long process that took place over the course of several years. Upon initial arrival the problem amongst the missionaries was the language barrier. The Cherokee syllabary was created around 1821. With the use of the syllabary Cherokees could now learn to write their language on paper. In 1824, John Arch a full blooded convert became inspired to translate a section of the Gospel according to St. John into Cherokee. This invention facilitated the transformation of the Cherokees. [4] Then by 1828, Samuel Worcester, the editor for the Cherokee Phoenix[5], translated the Lord’s Prayer.[6]

Missionaries began coming into America as early as 1566 with a Catholic Priest by the name of Father Rogers. Rogers upon contact with the Native Americans was uncertain and was unable to communicate with them. Rogers was not able to provide much teaching to the Cherokees, but he was the first recorded missionary. [7] Rogers was not the only missionary to enter and not be able to communicate with the Native Americans. In 1758, a Presbyterian missionary by the name of John Martin began trying to devise a plan to convert Cherokees into Christianity, and in 1799 Moravians entered the Cherokee land and was taken aback at how they were unable to communicate with them.

In the early 1800’s, missions into the Cherokee lands began to increase. At first the Cherokees was not officially opposed to the preaching of Christianity, but they did not want churches built. Cherokees instead wanted their children to be able to attend a school and learn reading, writing, and arithmetic so that their children would be able to communicate with the increase number of Europeans. The Cherokees wanted their children learn all that they could so that they would not be as illiterate and ignorant as they considered themselves to be. The same concepts exist today with the parents of children wanting their children to go beyond what they have been able to accomplish.

Gideon Blackburn, a Presbyterian who was contacted by John Martin after he had visited the Cherokee country, began asking for a government grant in order to educate the Indians. The process was slow and the two began talking in 1758, but it was 1803 before Blackburn received a grant of two hundred dollars in order for him to create a school. Blackburn received the Cherokees approval and was able to construct and establish his first school, one year after receiving his grant. Two years later, in 1806, Blackburn was able to create his second school by using left over funds from the first, and by the success of his first school.

The same year that Blackburn established his school, John Gambold a Moravian missionary was also looking into the Christianization of the Cherokees. Gambold came into the Cherokee country in 1804 and began trying to educate and preach to the Natives. Gambold found out that the Cherokees wanted schools and not churches just as Blackburn had discovered and in 1805 established the Spring Place Missionary School. The missionary school began with mostly young children but later branched out to have some adults in attendance as well, hoping to learn English. In 1819 Spring Place had 2 to 14 children in regular attendance and by 1830 they had 32 adults and 31 children. [8]

Cyrus Kingsbury was the next large player in Christianizing the Cherokees. Kingsbury saw the success of Blackburn and Gambold’s missionary schools and decided to create some of his own. In 1816 Kingsbury, created the Chickamauga Missions School on a 25 acre plantation. The Chickamauga school was a small portion of Kingsbury’s plans to aid in the education of the Cherokees. Kingsbury created what became known as the Brainerd Missions. Brainerd held numerous schools of different branches. Taloney was created in 1819; Creek Path in 1820; Hightower, Willstown, and Haweis in 1823; Candy’s Creek in 1824; New Echota in 1827; Amohee in 1831; and finally Redclay and Running Waters were created in 1835. All of the schools worked together but separately to educate Native Americans living in different parts of Cherokee country during the time period.

In addition to the Moravians and Presbyterian, there were also the Baptists and the Methodists that came to the Cherokee country. The Baptist associations came into Cherokee country from Georgia around 1816. The Baptists and Methodists did not set up any schools; however, they did preach and teach to the Cherokees. The Methodists came into the Cherokee country from Tennessee. The Methodists was under the Conference of Tennessee, directed by William M. Mahan. They set up four schools and had all of them established by 1828. The Baptists and the Methodists found the aid of the Cherokee Phoenix to be very helpful because they could distribute scriptures as well as hymns in both English and Cherokee. [9]

The missionary efforts were great by 1829, it is recorded that there were 1,028 Methodist Converts. The Methodists were the most effect in reaching out the Cherokees first. By 1831, it has been recorded that there were 192 communicants, 120 Baptists, and 74 Moravian converts.[10] According to Gulick in 1960, “There are as far as we know 17 churches.” 11 Baptists, 1 Episcopal, 3 Holiness, 2 Methodists, and the Roman Catholic and Mormon services are held in a community building, all of which would not have been made possible had it not been for the early missionaries that began working toward Christianizing the Cherokees in the early 1800s. Four of the 11 churches that Gulick found still offered church services in the native Cherokee Language. [11]

For the most part, Eastern Cherokee churches preach of the sinfulness and evilness of mankind along with the necessity of the belief in Christ so that the Native American can be saved and escape hells fire. With non-Indian church goers there is an intense emotion. The Native Americans, on the other hand, remain impassive and their social behavior does not typically express emotions during church services. However, they are accepting of the emotional responses of the non-Indian church goers and have grown to expect the outburst. The texts are sometimes sung in the Cherokee language, but they are sung to tunes derived from non-Indian backgrounds. [12]

In conclusion, the Cherokees may have been unwilling to accept Christianity and churches at the beginning, but they finally allowed missionaries to begin creating schools in 1799. To the Cherokees the schools were a necessity for their children to be able to live a civilized life amongst the Europeans. It was easier for them to realize the benefits of education than it was for them to see the benefits of Christianity. However, through the blending of Christianity and education the missionaries were able to accomplish both the education of Native Americans and the converting of Cherokees to Christianity. After 1816, missionaries built a network of boarding schools which catered primarily to the highly acculturated Cherokee leadership of the early 19th century. [13]The progress was great, acceptance was wide spread, and children as well as adults began to attend. The converting of Christianity grew and exists today in the Cherokee Nation. Today many people still view the Native Americans as being uncivilized and heathen, but in reality they have been quick to accept Christianity and are no different than the non-Indian American’s.  

Bibliography

Baird, W. David. “Cherokees and MIssionaries, 1789-1839.” The Western Historical Quarterly (Western Historical Quarterly, Utah State University ) 16, no. 2 (1985): 191.

Collins, Linton. “The Activities of the Missionaries Among the Cherokees .” The Georgia Historical Quarterly (Georgia Historical Society ) 6, no. 4 (1922): 285-322.

Corman, Catherine. “Writing Indians: Literacy, Christianity, and Native Community in Early America .” The William and Mary Quarterly (Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture ) 58, no. 3 (2001): 742-745.

Garrett, J.T. and Garret, Michael. Medicine of the Cherokee: The Way of Right Relationship . Santa Fe, New Mexico : Bear and Company Publishing , 1996.

Gulick, John. Cherokees at the Crossroads . Chapel Hill , North Carolina : University of North Carolina , 1960.

Kilpatrick, Alan. “A Note on Cherokee Theological Concepts .” American Indian Quarterly (University of Nebraska Press) 19, no. 3 (1995): 385-405.

Malone, Henry. Chrokees of the Old South . Atlanta , Georgia : The University of Georgia Press, 1956.

McNally, Michael. “The Practice of Native American Christianity .” Church History (Cambridge University Press) 69, no. 4 (2000): 834-859.

Perdue, Theda. “Cherokees and Missionaries, 1789-1839.” American Indian Quarterly (University of Nebraska Press ) 9, no. 2 (1985): 188-191.

[1] Garrett, Medicine of the Cherokee, page 110.

[2] Garrett, Medicine of the Cherokee, Page 116.

[3] Malone, Cherokees of the Old South: A People in Transition, Page 91.

[4] From a Note on Cherokee Theological Concepts, the article points out how without a written language the Europeans had great difficulties in communicating with the Native Americans who spoke mostly in their own language.

[5] The Cherokee Phoenix was originally called the Cherokee Press at New Echota and that led to the Phoenix which became a National Newspaper by 1828.

[6] Malone, Cherokees of the Old South: A people in Transition, page 114.

[7] Extracted from a journal Article, A Note on Cherokee Theological Concepts.

[8] Malone, Cherokees of the Old South: A people in transition, page 95.

[9] Collins, Activities of the Missionaries among the Cherokee, page 18.

[10] Malone, Cherokees of the Old South: A people in transition, Page 117.

[11] Gulick, Cherokees at the Crossroads, page 36.

[12] Gulick, Cherokees at the Crossroads, pages 118-119 goes into great detail describing the non-Indian verses the Indian churches.

[13] Perdue, Cherokees and Missionaries. 

Sunshine’s by name;

Sunshine by nature;

How true is this??

Well not always but I will not be sharing any of my darkest secrets on here-ha ha ha -

It was a week yesterday that I decided to find out more about about The Cherokees.

Ever since I have become totally engorossed in their lives,beliefs ,faith and lifestyles.So for today I am going to be Sunshine Ray.

Lone Wolf

ever since

I have

been with child

this canine wonder

has never

ever

left my side .

He loves

my beloved man

Silver Creek

with

every breath

of his

canine being

and has become

my protector

for

every moment

when my beloved man is

not around.

I pat the green ground

by my side

and

Lone Wolf

without

hesitation

walks

or

almost

glides

to my side

in a floating motion.

His wise head

resting

on my knees

and those

deep seeing

eyes

almost lock

with mine.

Their untold message

so clear:-

‘I am your protector’

‘I am your saviour’

‘Yours and Silver Creek’s babe

I will protect forevermore.’

‘Never worry as l am by your side’

We sat together as one

watching

absorbing

and

allowing

our minds

to be inspired

by

each beauty

enfolding

and

carressing

each view

locked in our

hrearts

and

spirits

forevermore.

I tenderly rub my

swollen form

in which lay our

precious new life; a life

brought forth

by

the most loving connection

there could be.

Oh Silver Creek

we are so as one. Our hearts

spirits

and

souls united

with Earth Mother’s

loving grace

and her

blessings.

Oh Gods

of the

mountains

dales

valleys

and

rivers

unite in harmony

each breath

we take

and

each word

we speak.

Source: wikimedia.comSunshine Ray.

I sit high

on top of the mountain;

I sit leaning back to allow

the spring breeze

to blow through

my long dark

glossy locks.

How I allow

inspiring values

to enter my being and into the depth of my spirit.

Far down below

almost like small

insects

I see a hive of daily activity.

Our stallion

‘Morning Mist’

the leader

of our horses

is kicking

and

frollicking

in frenzied excitement

to his

heart’s content.

Next I can

quite clearly

make out

Crimson Red

with her

little group of children

her pupils

so eager to

learn

Distance hinders

but my

mind’s keen eye

tells me so much.

She tells me

all about

of little faces

eager

hungry to learn

in awe

wondering

and loving

each step

and

each day

of

Crimson Red’s

teachings.

They sit in full circle

young spirits entwined

so new

so fresh.

They absorb

each lesson

like a flower

to sunshine.

They wave their hands

in tune to her lead

like flower fairies ;

free flowing

brimming over

with

love and joy.

Beside me there is a rustling

from the

midst of the

yellow laden gorse.

In my mind

I knew

before

this rustle

became vision

that it was

Lone Wolf.

I

Source: wikimedia.com

I have already felt

the very first stirring

of life

from my womb.

Likened to the

the

soft flutterings

of a

butterfly;

of being at one

with Earth Mother.

I look far

down below me

with an inner pride

and

love

that was new

and so wholesome.

I coud

see the

beginning of a brook

which ran into

the silver thread

of

the river.

At the end

of the journey

many rivers

came together

and ran as many estuaries into the sea.

These

estuaries

I liken to our lives .

Which one

we take

is our desicion.

Source: wikimedia.comTHE RIVERS OF LIFE.

.

A splutter and a gurgle

From deep inside the earth

Is a flowing indication

Of a shimmering new birth.

Leisurely she’ll flow along

Over the earth and its charms

Bringing peace, love and solitude

Like a new babe in mother’s arms.

Over obstacles she’ll meander

Until she conquers her fight,

Compare we this to childhood

As we learn wrong from right.

Wearily she’ll flow along

Into estuaries she’ll divide,

These are the rivers of life

Which one? Is ours to decide.

Source: flcikr.comMy Journey.

I have a journey to travel beofre the birth of our little one.

To clear the slightly overgrown pathways to my heart and soul.

A pure and sure heart our baby will be nourished from;his very first look into my eyes will show me as a strong person with inner pathways cleared.

Silver Cross and my spirit entwined; fitting so well ;each contour;

fitting with ease.

My heart misses a beat as I see my man ;far down below me gathering together his horses;horses that had been injured or were ill;but had now recovered due to his gentle care;the care of a loving and tender hreart.

Lone Wolf also looked down and with bright eyes and wagging tail.

He understood;as he had that deep set gift given to him by our Earth Mother,of spiritual understanding.

A knowing which ran almost as if on an invisible silver thread from his soul to yours Earth Mother; a gift which will last while he is on this earth.

I know that I have this journey to travel but I am not alarmed or worried,I have a deep set trust and understanding inyou my Earth Mother . I accept my journey and I know that I will emerge a better person.

A cleansing of my deepest spirit; in order to be a true mother in all ways.

My Journey.

Oh Earth Mother

I trust you so;

Wherever I am

Wherever I go.

I see you in each sunrise

I see you in each life;

In Lone Wolf’s cries

Your prescence is rife.

I will follow you

As I travel along;

I trust you too

So sweet your song.

I will be cleansed

I will be wholesome.

I will be blessed.

I accept the outcome.

Earth Mother I do love

In Earth Mother I trust.

So like a white dove

This journey is a must.

Source: wikimedia.comSource: flciker.com

As Lone Wolf

and I

sit in

seren silence

those up till now

flutters

had blossomed

into a much stronger

kicking movement.

I look down

in deep wonder

and I see our baby

move as if in

an almost

slow motion;

Oh yes

‘Lone Wolf’

another

day has

begun..

You need to research, research, and do some more research.  Look up the nominees and their track record and align it with your beliefs.  Doing your own legwork is better than having someone else do it for you.  However, you need to develop a pro-con list on the things you do and do not identify with.  After making your own values and belief system, you can correlate between the candidates. 

Be aware that a smear campaign is inevitable.  This is way too common, because certain politicians will downplay another candidate.  However, an informed voter can make an educated decision without losing sight of your true intentions.  With the list you have already developed, you can add or remove information based on the data collected.  But do not let the negatives push you in the other direction.  It is only through a true strength of ethics that you are willing to vote in the direction of your choosing.

            In all, it is important to do your own work.  The effort anyone puts forth in their homework for election is not just electing someone who may sound good, look good, or speak well.  A campaign is run for those who do not know the candidates!  Do not be held sway to the ongoing, frustrating, and never-ending tactics.  Your candidate is your voice and your representative for the things that matter most.

Built in 1863 for the Reverend Henry Bull. It sits on the site of an ancient monastery. The ghost of a mournful nun who patrolled the so called “Nun’s Walk” had often been seen there. An old story claimed that she had fallen in love with a monk from the Borley Monastery- to outrage- and the two had tried to elope together but had been quickly tracked down. The monk was executed and the nun bricked up in the cellars of the monastic buildings!

There are countless tales of ghosts from all over the world, but some are far more interesting than most. Many of us remember that superb horror film ‘The Shining’, based on the novel by Stephen King.  The book was inspired by a stay at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. Assigned Room 217, he reportedly himself heard ghost children playing in the hallway.

Many have experienced paranormal activity in this hotel, but these real-life ghosts seem harmless. Of the many spirits that are said to haunt the place, guests and employees claim to have heard faint music coming from the ballroom, and seen the piano keys moving.

Woodchester Mansion in Gloucestershire, England, is another building with a ghostly reputation.. Building work has never been completed here, and in the last 200 years workers have repeatedly run from the place, seven of the builders rumored to have died in inexplicable accidents..

Strange noises are often heard, like the sounds of crashing masonry or voices wailing, and many ghosts, including Roman soldiers and young girls.have reportedly been seen Regular ghost hunts are held here.

One of the more notorious haunted sites is the Skirrid Mountain Inn in Llanfihangel Crucorney, Wales. 900 years old, according to folklore over 180people have been hanged from a beam on the staircase, which is still in place today, with rope marks, apparently. The first floor of the inn is thought to have been the courtroom during this time. 

Glasses often suddenly fly across the room of their own accord, faces are seen at windows and people feel nooses around their necks.  Guests who stay there often report waking to icy room temperatures – even when the heating is on – and the feeling of being watched. 17th century barmaid Fanny Price is thought to be the most active spirit among many, but everyone agrees that this really is one scary place to stay.

People in India know all about ghosts. Locals give the Bhangarh fort, and the area around it, a wide berth, due to some popular spooky stories associated with the fort and town. Authorities have told visitors not to enter the ruined city after dusk. It is said that a wicked sorcerer cursed the city after being spurned by a princess. The 17th-century city was soon destroyed by an advancing army, leaving only its temples intact, and has been uninhabited since. Visitors say that birds and wildlife fall silent as the spirit of the sorcerer approaches at night, and nobody has ever tried to spend the night there. Just too spooky to take that chance

Perhaps the last place on this list will surprise you most. The infamous prison of Alcatraz, which closed in 1963, is said to be haunted by many of the former residents. Things as different as the sound of banjo playing by Al Capone to the really eerie events that occur in solitary confinement cell 14D, where a prisoner was said to have been strangled to death by a spectral beast in the 1940s. Visitors have in the past reported smelling smoke where no fire was burning, and hearing the unhappy screams and shouts from the ghosts of long dead condemned prisoners.  Another uncomfortable location that sets your spine tingling. If you give credence to the idea of ghosts or not, it is difficult to deny that places like this have a certain ‘feel’ to them which makes you want to get out ASAP. Overactive imagination, or subconscious warning?  You be the judge.

So many days have gone by since the immortal words were uttered by  Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in his famous speech, “I have a dream!”  We all recognize that a dream can be so fleeting sometimes to be lost in the wind leaving less than a memory behind.  While every year parades are held nationwide to celebrate the life of the Rev. King, the dream seems sometimes to be less potent than the original words.

African-American community activists would argue with the devil himself that the dream of the Rev. King has not altered in any way.  To say that the dream has somehow lost its meaning over the years would be blasphemy.  Still, we have to consider the number of racial and prejudicial acts reported in the news each day.  We have to remember that although the law is considered to be on the side of right, public opinion and thought do not necessarily follow.

Today in the year 2012 man is still judged by the color of his skin all across the world.  The Native American Indian is still look down upon and can be found in some of the poorest areas of the nation, trying to survive in a country that should provide them with a promised land.  The African-American today finds himself not only disavowing his own kind but actually killing his own people.  Even the renowned white man, Caucasian, has lost much of his luster, involved in too many crooked and shady deals that now make him out to be nothing more than the Devils agent.

Well, I have a dream also.  My dream is a far cry from that of Rev. King but I believe it is shared among the populace.  I believe that children can live lives innocent and free from death, horror and crime.  I believe that we can all grow up in a world that allows us to be creative and productive as to afford us all the material gains we desire.  I believe that all men, women and children can lead a happy life among peers that share the same dreams, hopes and desires.  I believe we will know our differences and learn how to deal with each of them.  I believe that no one will go one day wanting for anything.  I believe that this thing called poverty will be eradicated from the face of this earth never to exist again.  I believe in the power of an individual to do good, to create good, to live good and to embody good.  I believe we will  ascend to the stars.

These things I believe, and so I wonder, what is the difference between my belief and the Rev. King’s dream of a promised land.  Yes, a dream may be fleeting but a belief once instilled and embedded in an individual, and a race of people, can never have its strength lessened over time.  A true belief can never be lost like a whisper in the wind.  And, so I believe, and I continue to believe.

Last year at this time I was on the verge of exploring a new world. ONLINE gaming.
My PS3 would open a world I had no idea I would venture into. Let alone enjoy and recent at the same time. In the years before 2011, I spent a good deal of time alone or accompanied by family. Rarely did I seek or have the company of a male other then my son and nephew in this time. My family is mostly female. Mine was a quiet life for the most part. I enjoyed it that way. (After years of other.)

Still once I began going on line to play, I found the people I met there interesting and fun. Oddly one person in particular seemed to befriend me and be every where I was all the time. A male gamer. I being ignorant as it were of the ways of cyber life…was unaware that there was anything but the fun of game companionship going on. As we played everyday together. It wasn’t until my son pointed it out that I began to wonder at the behavior of my companion. Others in our play group seemed to notice the same and mentioned to me.

I hadn’t long to wonder as not long after my companion informed me that he had developed feelings for me. He further mentioned after my questions on the matter that he would like to explore a possible relationship.

Long story short I began a cyber relationship. I who had not had a relationship in well lets just say “a while”;was off on a running. I must say up front I had my doubts and was very sceptical as to how far this could actually go, as well as where it could go. If you have read my post before you will know I am a person that believes we get what we ask for. We receive what we need when we need it and when we are ready for it. So pushing my trepidation to the back I plunged forward; after a brief self talk. lol (Almost three Weeks.)

When my friend began to hit the marks on my list(I keep a list of the right man for me)I was in thralled. I had some years ago had a dream about a man I did not know. I carried this man in my mind. There he stayed. Until…once my friend and I began to speak over mic’s, my list and dream came into my mind.We spoke everyday for hours. Online,on at first. Next we spoke on the phone and later email. I began checking off the list. There were so many things that my friend fit spookily. That I was reminded that the universe takes notes.

Cut to early spring. I had the best of times and later the worst of times. I am happy to say I am non the worse for wear. I am thrilled and thankful for the experience I had. I had grown in many ways from my online tatatat. I believe I have been in love. I believe I am better for it. I am happy to say last year was one I will always remember. It has taught me that in spite of my self I do want to share my life with others. I am grateful for the people that have shared their lives with me.

I asked for the person I got. I wrote him into being as it were. I am still a believer in ask and you shall receive. If you put it out there it will come to you. I named it, claimed it and held it for awhile. I am sorry to say we do not communicate any longer. For my part it is a sad statement of life that sometimes friendship dies.
Sometimes we do not continue on a journey with the people we meet and share pieces of our lives. I am richer for the experience and the poetry that came out of that time with him. I am richer for the emotional maturity that I received from that time and experience.

I am bolder in my dealing with the unknown and I am proud of myself for all that has happened. I could not do it any different were I given another chance. I am still an online game player. I am still waiting to be in love and waiting for someone else to hit the marks on my list.In my own country,state, city or elsewhere. I believe it will happen again and perhaps when it does, it will be the long journey; we take. I look at last years events as starter romance. lol.

As I said it had been awhile. I wasn’t certain I even wanted the ups and downs that can come with a relationship. I found I do. I believe in love. Maybe not at first sight or first “sound” as it were.  I have my times when I am content to be with myself. Then there are the times I need to be engaged. Communicating with people is a human need. I won’t deny myself that part of life and should it become more with someone or other…then bring your best game and lets play.

Thank you PS3 and Sony.  Thank you JP.

Belief is Borrowed and Trust is Intrinsic

Dictionaries present belief and trust as synonyms but there is a vast difference. Belief is always borrowed and it comes from outside, generally imposed upon you. On the other hand trust is intrinsic and it happens on its own. When trust takes birth in your existence, you are suddenly a transformed person, a better human being, and a winner who does not want to achieve anything. You are a part of the existence you trust and you begin to see new meanings in life and everything seems to be smiling towards you.

I am a Christian and I am proud of my beliefs and I do not care if Christ and a manger scene are politically correct or not as it is what I believe in. I don’t think that many people remember at this time of the year that the first reason for our celebration on Decembber 25th is because of Christ. My question would be how can you take the reason for the day out of the day?

America was based on the beliefs of our forefathers and they included God and Christ in many of their beginnings and we should not turn our backs to that very first start that the country had. “In God We Trust” is on our money because they were not afraid to show that they believed in God and that they were trusting in Him. Why is it that God can’t be in our public buildings or in anything that politicians talk about?

America is known for being a melting pot where many religions and cultures mix together and it seems that there are many places in the United States where American born people are a minority, but it should not take away from the fact that our country was built on our belief in God. My feelings are that if you come into our country with a belief different from ours that is fine and you should be free to worship and talk about your God, but please let me include mine in my holidays and my day by allowing prayer at my workplace or school and by allowing me to include Christ in my Christmas if I choose to. Bow your head as I pray and pray to your God, whoever or whatever it might be while I speak with mine. If you choose Happy Holidays over Merry Christmas that is fine as well, but do not be offended because I am saying Merry Christmas in my world because I believe that Christ should be in the season!

To all my readers, I want to say that I wish each of you a Merry Christmas and the happiest of holidays! For those of you who prefer Happy Holidays or Season’s Greetings or even the Merry X-Mas, I still wish a joyous season and the best wishes for the new year!!

Confidence grew with a world view that affirmed the community and society generally tend to be different between one and other social groups. For example communities that developed from the time of application of the political slavery or segregation in the United States will have the belief that black people will always feel inferior when compared with whites. People who have a patriarchal world view will have the conviction that men are people who have these advantages or superior in public space than women. This resulted in the emergence of domestication role and status of women in the domain of work and power.

Understanding belief systems are the basics of the interrelation of the various beliefs beliefs relating to social conditions or the type of diverse activities. Thus, belief systems are complex compared with the specific beliefs that exist in it. Specific beliefs that are part of belief systems tend to form the unity of the whole, although they could saj exhibit many internal inconsistencies.

Examples of belief system is what is known as social Darwinism is a belief system that assumes that social life is a struggle and domination constantly, and who is able to adapt will be the winner. Another example is creationisme is a belief system that bases itself on the interpretation of the Bible states that man was created in the existing form it is today since 10,000 years ago, so the theory of biological evolution of homo sapiens to be unjustified.

Specific beliefs are part of a world view, suppose one of the color black in a chessboard into a world view, while the belief systems into a frame or frame required by that belief. People usually act rationally to accept the beliefs and belief systems are evolving, so often as a collection of human society consists of cross chaos belief system that is trusted by the public parts of it, some accept that belief or partially modify or even reject it overall.

Thus, may be useful.

You may ask why this came about, or even came a part of our conversation. This is the Christmas Season, and seriously I am all about Christmas…But also I don’t judge or condemn anyone else for their religious beliefs. But her children come to the restaurant where we work every day when they get out of school. They wait an hour or so for her to get off work. They had gifts from school, not wrapped, but gifts and she was so upset over this. She threw them away in the trash. The gifts were gloves, a hat, and a scarf. She said quickly we don’t celebrate Christmas or any other holiday…And I have told the teachers…So why do they keep giving them things when I ask them not to…

Actually I knew that she was a Jehovah Witness and have always known since day one of working with her. For throwing things away and the real reason that I am upset, is because in telling her children there wasn’t a Santa Claus while there were a number of children that were in the restaurant that were between the ages of 7 and nine or so. Some were setting at a table near her children… She spoke to her children telling them loud and clear that there wasn’t a Santa Claus or any other mystical human that would bring those gifts or anything else. And I have told you not to believe and you still do…We are Jehovah witnesses…what part of that don’t you understand.

Then talking to her about telling her children in front of customers about her beliefs shouldn’t happen. This is when she asked me if my God the same God as hers was, and if I knew his name. Seriously I am not against anyone’s religion, or what they choose to believe…The point is she should respect others, mostly at her place of employment, as I respect her religion. Don’t put me down for what I believe and I won’t put you down. But she is an employee, and she should choose to act and represent the place she works for.

This is a woman that accepts Christmas Cards from Customers with money in them, are you shaking your head yet? If you don’t celebrate Christmas, then why do your accept the cards with money? Why don’t you refuse them and practice what you peach. I asked her, and she explained it off as it is the service I give to them the whole year long! It isn’t a gift, but it given in a Christmas card. Really, then why can’t your children accept a scarf, socks and a hat…? Because it is a gift…Really what is the difference? Mind your own business, this business is mine…she explained.

Sorry I know the name of your God, but I know the name of my God and I know the name of my judge at the end of my time on earth. I am not judging her, just upset with her for forcing her beliefs on the customers and me, throwing stuff away, if she didn’t want her children to have it ask if someone else wanted them and even asking me if I know his name, it may not be the same name she calls him, but I know him, he has saved me, he has been there for me, and he always listens when no one else does. So her asking me this hurt my feelings, I have always treated her good; I don’t judge her for her religion so what gives her the right to judge me, she doesn’t have the right or the position to do so, And yes this hurt my feelings.

Christmas is a highlight of my year, seeing relatives, spending time with family, and looking forward to giving and receiving gifts. A major family dinner to die for and also being a Grandmother now, enjoying my Grand-daughters Christmas Eve and looking forward to Santa Claus as a family tradition. Don’t judge me on my family traditions, and I won’t judge you.

My family traditions are what I was raised on, and you may not agree. My family means a lot during this holiday time, gathering together, eating, and enjoying each other’s company. Christmas Eve Traditions, loving, is spending time together. Really it isn’t all about the gifts, being together, seeing people you haven’t seen all year. Okay, there isn’t a Santa Claus…it is fun…The tracking of the sleigh etc. But truly the reason for the season is Jesus…Jesus is the reason for the season. But this holiday comes but once a year. And my Grand-daughter will know Jesus, and My God….or actually her God and she will know his name. And hope she sees a little Santa time along the way…the magic human mystical being of Santa Claus.

So some of we see things differently than others, is it because of how we were raised? Agreed I don’t want you to push your beliefs on me, and agreed I won’t push my beliefs on you…Actually I wouldn’t disrespect your beliefs so don’t disrespect mine.

The whole subject of this conversation and how she handled it in confronting her children in the place where we work in front of the customers that keep us in a job, with her beliefs. You work where people celebrate Christmas; you work where customers celebrate Christmas. We shouldn’t have to bow to you, or shy away from our Christmas Spirit just because you don’t celebrate.

And actually My God is the same God as yours you just call him a different name.