Can I be a Christian and still participate in my culture?

I’ve got Native American heritage, too, and I understand what you mean by how confusing it can be.

This is my advice: don’t let anyone tell you what religion you are, but instead, decide what you believe without any else’s influence.

I know what you mean about the confusion. I have attended some Native American ceremonies that invoke spirits or other “natural” entities.

St. Paul cautions in the letters to Timothy and 1st Corinthians that Christians should not participate in pagan rituals, and sacrificing to pagan gods. He also warns against being concerned about mythology.

However, it is possible that you will not be worshiping spirits or calling on forces in nature, your participation can be a valuable instrument in bringing people to Christ. St. Paul himself engaged the pagans in Athens at the temple of the unknown god in “the Acts of the Apostles.”

Keep praying and ask the Holy Spirit to help you discern what you should do. And don’t be afraid to read the sciptures to help you in your life’s journey.

I have read a number of books on Native American Indians and their spiritual (religious) beliefs. The misnomer as being savages isn’t deserved. They are very spiritual and had a complex culture. As long as in your heart you believe that Jesus is your Savior and he gave his physical life to give you eternal life and there is nothing in these ceremonies that have you worship pagan gods or renounce your Christian beliefs, I don’t personally see a problem. However, I am not the ultimate authority. If these are heritage bonding ceremonies, used to celebrate ethnicity, from my understanding of the Bible, there shouldn’t be a problem, after all we were all created by the same Supreme Being.

There are a lot of differences when you go from church to church, each group worships differently, but, most believe the same thing. The basics for Christianity is to believe in what Jesus has done for us, on the cross. He paid our ticket into Heaven. If you believe that with all your heart, then hang onto it, and don’t let it go, no matter what. It is not Jesus plus something, it is Jesus period…The bible was given as a book of instruction, so, in reading it, you will find the answers that you are seeking, along with prayer. God be with you…

I am not sure I quite get what you are saying. Well presbyterians(at least the PCA) tend to be more conservative and (in music dress and other ways) like they tend to dres up more and sing more tradtional song and soemitmes upper class rich. I am not sure what a powwows is but I am guessing it has to do with dance and stuff that the Indians did? well in that case I guess it is ok just make sure you don’’t confuse the 2 ,cause to me it seems powows seem to me to a religous thing. and don’t get to deeply involved.

Ditto what tigrah12 said.

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, that’s all that matters - religion, culture, skin color, sex, etc. is irrevelevent.

thanks you guys soo much!