Native American Church

[laughingwillow]

So, just to recap.....

We have a young community member who has recently joined the Peyote Way Church. While he's never met the congregation in person, nor consumed their sacrament, he wants us all to join, too. However, we have ascertained that peyote is scarce and getting more scarce every year. Why would we want to consume a plant so rare? It just doesn't make sense to me. Especially when their are many other active sacraments available. Unless the piece of paper is what's important to the person in question. Otherwise, I see no reason to bother grandpa peyote in this way.

What's wrong with this picture? What kind of person feels the need to prostalatize their chosen religion? Usually one that is unsure of their decision to join said religion.....

lw

[Anonymous]

We have a young community member who has recently joined the Peyote Way Church. While he's never met the congregation in person, nor consumed their sacrament, he wants us all to join, too. However, we have ascertained that peyote is scarce and getting more scarce every year. Why would we want to consume a plant so rare? It just doesn't make sense to me. Especially when their are many other active sacraments available.

Have you even read my post? That's the very reason I've never eaten Peyote! I'd rather see it growing happily than have it sitting in my stomach!

Join Peyoteway.org!

[laughingwillow]

The Peyote Way people consume peyote. Why join their church if you don't plan on walking their walk?

lw

[Anonymous]

I DO!

I just haven't YET!

You really should check out their site-

"As long as the Holy cactus is endangered, it is more holy to grow than to consume".

Thats staight from the site!

[laughingwillow]

Teo: The first time I checked out their site was prolly 8 years ago.

lw

[laughingwillow]

teo: If you study and compare the NAC with other societies using active sacrament, you will realize there are some consistent practices. Most involve the consumption of active sacrament in a group setting stressing individual growth and understanding. For example, many join the NAC as a way to quit alcohol and begin living in a healthier manner. Believe it or not, there are groups in this world doing basically the same thing as the NAC, without the peace of mind of a piece of paper, nor the desire to advertise their activities.

My journey with the active sacrament began over 25 years ago at my first Grateful Dead show. Those lessons continue to this day. While I wish you well on your personal journey, please keep in mind that it is YOUR journey. Feel free to keep us posted, but don't expect us to follow you.  We must each make our own way, whether that be the peyote, mushroom or lsd way.

Don't get me wrong, I would feel honored to one day participate in a bone fide NAC ceremony. But I will not go out of my way to try and make it a reality nor do I expect it to ever happen.  :smoke1

lw

[RedDragon2]

Teo, i don't want to be grilling you, because i've been away from this site for years and therefore don't want to appear disrespectful or cocky, but there is a ONE MONTH period between this statement:

"I recently found out I have some Native American in me. I'd like to join the N.A.C. How would I go about doing this?" (Sept 23),

and this one:

"It's not a game. This is my religon and my church. The Peyotist at Peyote Way Chruch are very nice people, and I am a member of their church." (Oct 30)

If you step back and think about it, is it surprising people are having trouble taking you seriously with the peyote church thing?  Why don't you let it grow on you a bit and see how you feel, and let us know.  THAT would be interesting.

also, have you been to the site, or seen a ceremony of some kind?

[Anonymous]

I've been to the site, of course.

Thank you for being nice about that, you made a very good point.

I have no problem with people telling me I'm wrong when they are as nice about it as RedDragon was.

[senorsalvia]

:shock: ---  Red Dragon :smoke:3 ---  Been quite a long time...  Glad to see you are still around..  Hope all is well at your end....sal

[Anonymous]

Join Peyoteway.org y'all!

//http://www.peyoteway.org/faq.htm

Joining is easy!

[RedDragon2]

Teo: correction: by "checking out the site" i meant the actual physical site.

And speaking about the website, i've been checking it out. I noticed that they're planning on building a road through it: http://www.peyoteway.org/i10bypass.htm  Given that the Peyote Way people probably loved the site for the main reason that it was very quiet and natural, i'm sure they probably upset about that.

About the legality of using peyote in Arizona, the site has this to say in the FAQ: "10. Q:If one were to join your group, would they be able to use peyote without legal repercussions?

A:The present political and social climate at this time, in this country is such that you may be arrested for your religious practice of Peyotism. The only states that have legal provisions regarding the bonafide religious use of Peyote by non-Indians are Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and Oregon. In these states, the Church’s “Declaration of Religious Belief” should protect an individual in possession of Peyote."

I think they are helpful to supply this avenue for people to experience peyote, given that the "spirit walks" are free (voluntary donations) and that you have access to these adepts of the peyote experience either during or after the session, for help and support.

One thing i do not understand about their beliefs is why they think it is unhealthy to drink "hot beverages"?!  Here: http://www.peyoteway.org/wisdom.html  it says: "9. And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly." Can anyone comment on that? Teo?

[JRL]

To me the Peyoteway has always seemed like Mormonism. I thought the sacraments were the antithesis of organized religon. Do we need 89 sections of rules? Do we need hirerarcy? The sacraments seem to say that we are all the universe and have access to all the wisdom we need.

Just my 2 cents, a day late and a dollar short as always.

[Amomynous]

Do we need 89 sections of rules? Do we need hirerarcy?

If you want to be recognized by the government as a bona fide religion, you probably do! They're kind of opinionated on what constitutes a religion.

[Anonymous]

One thing i do not understand about their beliefs is why they think it is unhealthy to drink "hot beverages"?! Here: http://www.peyoteway.org/wisdom.html it says: "9. And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly." Can anyone comment on that? Teo?

That's beyond me, they adopted that one code or passage or whatever and that's the only thing I really don't like...

Thank God it's only a couple paragraphs.

If you want to be recognized by the government as a bona fide religion, you probably do! They're kind of opinionated on what constitutes a religion.

You probably just nailed it. I bet they had to pick some sort of religous document so that they seem more legitimate.

I personally would have choose the "Tao Teh Ching" instead...