You may be quite wrong to assume that the first nations peole were irreverant toward nature. From all the evidence I've seen they are quite careless with nature. That is, from any history I've read of their behariour here on the west coast and of course from any present day evidence of their behaviour toward conservation efforts. They aren't the only poachers of game animals but they certainly show up in large numbers of those arrested. They aren't the only ones who overfish the salmon resources but you can always count on a lot of them being there taking more than they are legally entitled to. They are the onlly ones stringing nets accross certain rivers in my area when they are told to leave an open area for returning salmon to move upstream. And to go on some of the reserves on Vancouver Island it immediately becomes quite evident that they are not good stewards of their land. Somehow all the evidence I see tells me that they aren't exactly all irreverent toward nature! But perhaps I am missing something that you are aware of. Why not tell us all about it? Keeping in mind of course that I'm not singling them out as much as I am giving you some facts to show that you are not right all of the time at least. And yes, before you mention it, I am aware that there are many white people who are ignorant careless filthy pigs when it comes to being irreverent toward nature.
As I'm sure you're unaware, I would agree that the contemprary First Nations have long lost many of the standards by which theyu lived prior to European colonization. They have adopted the more greed driven ways of life, brought over by you know who.
That's not to say that there weren't practices in and amongst the First Nations, prior to, that were not excatly eco-friendly. But it is quite hard for one man to walk among the trees and not leave but footprints, let alone a society.
From experience they knew that they would have to move from location to location, at both different times of the year, as well as in general, as the ground they inhabitted would require time to heal.
That being the biggest and most appropriate use of foresight, know ones presence is detrimental and doing something about. That's reverance.
As for religion being a hoax, I have to agree. Hell I've only said it a couple hundred times to sanctus, hell I even made the poor Padre tell me to F**K myself. I have questioned the exsistance of God all my life. But in the end, I realized that it wasn't religion I was dismissing, it was the people who touted the lines and condemned all the non beleivers in their faith.
In the natural world, I have seen, heard and felt far to much to simply dismiss it. Even science has evidence that great bodies of rock hold measurable power and as DB once pointed, a stand of trees holds power, from its life forces. So is it that much of a stretch to accept that even water holds power. It can cut rock, move ground, wash clean entire areas, it brings life, and takes it if one is careless. So how exactly is the spiritual beliefs of the First Nations a hoax? Most of it can be explained by science, as you said yourself. Seeing as we did not have an understanding of natural sciences, but yet were able to assess and address the many scienticaly proven energies and forces around, while they were being dismissed by the Europeans, wouldn't that make the First Nations paople, smarter then the Non natives?
I think some people miss that science and the natural religions of old almost walk hand in hand.
Now whooooaaaa there Ariadne, that's insulting to say that a-theists don't have the mental capacity to understand religion. (sorta like monkeys indeed!)
lmao, did that insult you lie?
pots and kettles and pots and kettles and...
Just a final note to say that I am not ignoring anyone. Those counter arguments I have not responded to didn't seem worthy of comment. Other interesting remarks such as darkbeaver's needed no rebuttal IMO.
Hmmm, sounds like a thin insult and a suck up to me.
