The belief systems practiced in the Americas prior to colonization were/are "authochthonous," meaning they rose and evolved with people in specific landscapes (the online dictionary says "originates where they were found") and they respond to the particular natural and cultural environment that exists in that place. They include ontological material such as origin stories; strict practices to do with living in the world and who does what; and a structured eschatological (death and afterlife) practices and beliefs.

Christianity was at one time autochthonous--when it was a small belief system in the deserts of an area on the southeastern end of the Mediterranean. Now as an organized religion (i.e., "institution to express belief in a divine power") it acts like an institution or a corporation, expanding it's power base and always working on the promotion end of things. (Interesting also, that the other two industrial religions happened to arise in the same small area? They certainly learned to share the prostelatizing and recruitment behaviors.)

What christians today are practicing is something that has been translated, rewritten, and retranslated by powerful men for powerful rulers. It is in no way shape or form tied to the land or a sense of place--it has merged with science and business but is still disguised as simply a religion. It has migrated and colonized many parts of the world and has been the cause of many wars and land grabs.

Beardedbruce says Anyone here is free to try to convert others to his/her religious or political belief- Just remember that that means that the person trying to convert others is fair game to the efforts and comments of others. Only fair... but a lot of people practicing other religions in the world don't feel that way--they live and let live. The big three industrial religions don't--christianity, judaism, and the moslem religions. But they're based on an overt power base and of course want to convert new recruits--they're part of a vast and legal pyramid scheme. Marx didn't call religion "the opiate for the masses" for nothing--billions of people are to some degree controlled by their religions. The religions leaders at the top have a lot of cash to burn when their flock coughs it up every week in church, synagog or mosque.

That was a funny line, Bruce, about Jesus overreacting. Just thought I'd mention it since I haven't given you much slack in the past. And I'm not likely to on this, either, with all of the chapter and verse being ladled into this thread, even with the diversion of humor.

("Religion comes from the oppressed, but benefits those at the top," and other interesting quotes, appear here in a study-aid online from the UK.)

SRS