| Peyote is considered a sacrament and is venerated. It is eaten as a means of communing with the Spirit of the A]mighty. Members refer to Romans 14:6 as a Biblical reference related to the taking of peyote: "He who eats anything does it to the honor of the Lord, for he gives thanks to God for the food." The Native American Church is the only religious body to have received court exemption to use in their religious practices what is otherwise a controlled substance. The Native American Church has no formal creedal statements or authoritative literature, though the Christian congregations use the Bible extensively. For information on the Native American Church, consult The Peyote Story by Bernard Roseman; The Peyote Cult by Weston La Barre and The Peyote Religion by J.S. Slotkin. PRACTICES AND BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS: In general, the Native American Church teaches its members to live a high ethical life and is against immoral conduct. Alcohol and dangerous drugs are forbidden. They also teach respect and humility in the presence of one's elders. Most congregations will celebrate Thanksgiving, Easter, Christmas, New Year's, and Armistice Day. There are special services on the birthdays of individuals, days of mourning, and for healing. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: The Native American Church is organized at three levels. On the national level, an annual convention speaks for the Church and elects officers. The President and other officers serve two year terms. Representation to the national convention is by chapters, which may consist of all Church members of the Church of one tribe in a single area (usually a state). Each chapter has two votes at the national convention. The chapter is further divided into congregations (one or more). Each congregation is organized democratically and is the focus of worship. ROLE OF MINISTERS: The organization of local congregations is under the leadership of democratically elected Presidents. Presidents are responsible for all Church activities with the possible exception of the worship service itself. WORSHIP: In some traditions a priest leads the worship and is assisted by the fire chief (who keeps the fire going) and the drummer. In others, the elder men lead. While group worship is not actually "required," it is integral to the regular practice of the faith. Services will be held weekly, biweekly, or monthly in different congregations. They begin in the evening and last until dawn. Besides the ingestion of peyote, the service includes as a closing act a ceremonial meal in which water, corn, fruit, and dried beef are shared. Items for worship include peyote, fire (often in the form of live coals), water drum, gourd rattle, and staff. Individual congregations may require additional instruments. Facilities vary. Some groups meet in homes, but many groups meet in a designated hogan or tepee. The worship space contains an alter and fireplace. The traditional hogans will have a moon shaped alter, the Christian ones a cross shaped alter with a Bible on it. DIETARY LAWS OR RESTRICTIONS: None. FUNERAL AND BURIAL REQUIREMENTS: Protestant services are acceptable for members. No restrictions are observed with respect to cremation or autopsy. MEDICAL TREATMENT: No restrictions; however, peyote ceremony is used for healing the body. OTHER: The Native American Church is not opposed to military service. The only practice of the Church which might conflict with military directives is the use of peyote. GENERAL SOURCE BOOKS: LaBarre, Weston. The Peyote Cult. New York: Schocken Books, 1969. 260pp. Mount,Guy. The Peyote Book Arcata,CA: Sweet light Books,1987.79pp. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Friends of the Native American Church Box 307 Arcata, CA 95521 In recent years the Native American Church has withdrawn from contact with non church members, in part to protect its special status as the sole people able to legally use peyote. |
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| Black Rose Spiritual Center, Inc : Belief Systems |
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| Native American Church |
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| ADDRESS: Current address unavailable for this edition. LEADERSHIP: The Church is led by a president elected every two years. MEMBERSHIP: Not reported. HISTORICAL ORIGIN: The use of various drugs that alter the consciousness of the worshiper has a long history in world religion. In Pre-Columbian America, the peyote cactus, which contains mescaline, a consciousness altering substance, was used by the Aztecs and their descendants. By the nineteenth century the practice was firmly entrenched in the Indian tribes of Mexico and in the years following the American Civil War spread to the tribes of the southwest the Mescalero Apache, the Kiowa, and the Comanche. From these it spread to the tribes of the Plains and into Oklahoma, where its use aided the "vision search~ so integral to Plains Indians' religious quest. As its use grew, two trends emerged. One set of peyote users had a traditional orientation, while a second group were Christian. Both groups function within the Native American Church, and their existence accounts for the wide variety of practices encountered. The formalization of a "church" among peyote users came in direct response to growing opposition from the government, the Indian missionaries and certain fellow tribe members. As early as 1896, the Oto Church of the First Born was incorporated, the first of several like bodies among various tribes. Then in 1918 an intertribal group led in the formation of the Native American Church in response to a proposal by the Bureau of Indian Affairs to have Congress pass an anti peyote law. By 1944 the Church had spread across the United States and became the "Native American Church of the United States." Continual spread led eleven years later to is becoming the "Native American Church of North America." BASIC BELIEFS: The Christian members of the Native American Church acknowledge a Triune God -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Traditional members speak only of God. All believe in brotherly love, often expressed as three principles of respect for all people, compassion for all people, and forgiveness for all people. |
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