Today, we watched a movie about the Hopi people. Throughout the video, they explain the situation associated with Devil’s Tower. The people of the Lakota tribe worship on this area and ask that no one hiked the structure. I feel like the people should take the native people’s worships into consideration. Even if they feel as if they need to hike it because it gives them a special feeling, they shouldn’t do so in the month of June. This month is important to the Lakota people and the others just don’t understand. They only know and care about their interest. Non-Natives don’t think of this as their actual church because its not like normal churches. The people in the video that said they felt as if Lakota worships were recreational really caught my attention. No matter what you practice, how you practice it, or where you practice it, your religion should always be respected. Your individual rights as a citizen of the U.S guarantee that you have the freedom of religion. The Lakota people’s religion isn’t being respected.This is just another example that shows how much we care about Native Americans and their interests. If the Lakota people found a way to disrespect non-Native churches, the people who worship there would be upset to and find every way to keep the Lakota people away.
avestoll July 18, 2018
I agree. People need to have respect for other people’s religious choices even if they differ from their own. Devil’s Tower is sacred for Native Americans and is a very important part of their beliefs. They can’t just go pray and do ceremonies somewhere else like the woman in the video suggested; specific places and lands hold great significance in Native religions. I also agree that their religion and religious practices should in no way be seen as recreational. As human beings and as citizens of the United States, who’s constitution protects freedom of religion, we should be respectful to the wishes of Natives, especially when it comes to religion and religious practices.