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[lostANDfound]

Hey everyone, my husband and I are set to meet with an "Aboriginal Specialist" at the end of the month as we are extremely likely to have an aboriginal child placed in our home once our fostering license is renewed.  At our last meeting I expressed concern about the expectation we as foster parents would have to attend religious ceremonies with the child to keep them connected with their culture.  Native culture and religion are so intertwined you can't really separate them.  I said I'd be happy to read them books about their culture and discuss their many beliefs, as well as visit family friends who live on the local reserves.
I hope I got across to them that I would not be attempting to evangelize the child, but I do have boundaries about actually participating in ceremonies myself.  I know I am exposing my ignorance here but I also don't know what boundaries I should have about dreamcatchers and other religious articles in my home.  And just for some background information, my dad is Metis and we grew up with Natives (Indians, Aboriginals, whatever the preferred title is) of all ages living in our home for months or weeks as their situation demanded.  So in some ways I feel like I am ideally suited to meet this need in our community but are my concerns and questions here a result of being religiously rigid or am I being appropriately cautious?  Depending on how our meeting with this specialist goes, they might limit us to only "non-religious kids", or we might have an open door to any child in need.  Thoughts?  Be gentle with me, I know I have a blind spot here.
Also, we could just as easily have a Muslim child placed in our home, or a child of any other religion who would possibly need special prayer mats or incense or prayer times or idols...

[cheekie3]

lostANDfound -

Hey everyone, my husband and I are set to meet with an "Aboriginal Specialist" at the end of the month as we are extremely likely to have an aboriginal child placed in our home once our fostering license is renewed.  At our last meeting I expressed concern about the expectation we as foster parents would have to attend religious ceremonies with the child to keep them connected with their culture.  Native culture and religion are so intertwined you can't really separate them.  I said I'd be happy to read them books about their culture and discuss their many beliefs, as well as visit family friends who live on the local reserves.
I hope I got across to them that I would not be attempting to evangelize the child, but I do have boundaries about actually participating in ceremonies myself.  I know I am exposing my ignorance here but I also don't know what boundaries I should have about dreamcatchers and other religious articles in my home.  And just for some background information, my dad is Metis and we grew up with Natives (Indians, Aboriginals, whatever the preferred title is) of all ages living in our home for months or weeks as their situation demanded.  So in some ways I feel like I am ideally suited to meet this need in our community but are my concerns and questions here a result of being religiously rigid or am I being appropriately cautious?  Depending on how our meeting with this specialist goes, they might limit us to only "non-religious kids", or we might have an open door to any child in need.  Thoughts?  Be gentle with me, I know I have a blind spot here.
Also, we could just as easily have a Muslim child placed in our home, or a child of any other religion who would possibly need special prayer mats or incense or prayer times or idols...

What comes to my mind is that His dragged out, called out, called out, Elect do not have religion - as they have The Truth - which enables His Elect to live out their lives on this Earth as per His Commandments as 'living witnesses' (mainly by how they behave, and not by 'preaching').

Also, let us not forget, that all people are His Children - no matter what religion or faith they may currently believe in.

So, I guess the bottom line is 'what would you say and do, if you are asked a question or questions about what you believe by those in authority of these children, or the child themselves - and as we are to be ready for any questions that any may ask - and He would provide us with the correct way to respond and what to actually say.

If it were me, I would, ask Him to prepare (the hearts and minds of) all those involved, and to give me the right attitude and words to say as required - and I would continue in prayer, as and when He prompts me to.

I believe it is His Gift to us, when He Blesses us with our own children to look after, or when He Blesses us with one of His other children to look after - and I also believe that, if He Blesses us with children to care for, He will also Grant us the ability to do what is right for the child(ren) - as He instills in us His Fruit (of his Holy Spirit).

With regards to any religious rituals that the child may want to exercise, it is his life and his choice - as none of us can make any choice for someone else. I am sure that those in authority should know of any religious aspects of the child - and they should give you guidance, and an opportunity to ask any questions that you may have.

I hope this helps a little.

Kind Regards.

George

[Dave in Tenn]

Thought I'd share this from wiki to get a little better understanding of what the metis are:  Note that I haven't read the page and can't vouch for anything in it in my total ignorance of it before now.    You may have to do some additional clicking to find the actual article.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metis_people_(Canada)

I sounds to me like you not only have the "right attitude" but a good background from which to draw.

As far as 'dreamcatchers' and other religious articles go.  Don't take this as gospel, but as one person's thoughts on the matter.  All religions have their rituals, etc. and most have some affinity with physical objects (or practices) which at the least are designed to encourage "thought" towards the spiritual.  Christianity in all its many flavors is no different.  What I have come to understand from my own past is that these things are not necessarily bad in themselves (unless they are) but are things to be grown OUT of.  In other words, they become "bad" in the sense that they "become worthless" to a Spiritual mind.  Ray didn't tell anybody not to get baptized, for example.  He just pointed out to those who have ears and eyes just what baptism is necessary.

I don't believe that any object has within itself any "spiritual" power.  I think that the reason we are to eschew idols isn't because they have "hoodoo", but because they are worthless, ultimately, to the task we might hope to be giving them.  Water baptism, circumcision, etc are in the same category.  I could locate many passages related to idols that confirm this.  As for me, I wouldn't be averse to hanging a "dream-catcher" in a kid's room.  I'd be more curious what is on his or her mind to have one.   

I'm not yet sure that children can be "taught" to have a spiritual mind, even if their "beliefs" are well-founded in the truth.  If chosen, they can LEARN, but this comes through experience. and revelation.  As Ray pointed out, it is by way of our "corruption" in carnal religion He comes to save.

I would honor your choice not to participate in any meaningful way in whatever rituals are common to whatever culture the child/young person may come from.  But I'd add that (from my limited understanding) there are parts of native belief that echo perhaps even more closely than modern Christianity the nature of God.  These might not only be a bridge for conversation, but maybe even a challenge to your own ingrained thoughts that He still desires to burn out of you. 

 

[lostANDfound]

Thank you both for your responses.  My parents have taught me to be very cautious about objects, that demons can be attached to objects and be unwittingly brought into the home to wreak havoc.  I once brought them back a mask from Fiji as a gift. They wouldn't accept it as it might have had some evil attached to it.  So I guess I am being brought to examine and uproot these long held beliefs. 
Satan has been given power in this world and there is a lot I don't understand, but this verse just came to my head as I type this:

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 1 John 4:4   

[Dave in Tenn]

Satan is Alive and Well and Living on Planet Earth...but especially in Hal Lindsey's study.

[Kat]

Hey everyone, my husband and I are set to meet with an "Aboriginal Specialist" at the end of the month as we are extremely likely to have an aboriginal child placed in our home once our fostering license is renewed.  At our last meeting I expressed concern about the expectation we as foster parents would have to attend religious ceremonies with the child to keep them connected with their culture.  Native culture and religion are so intertwined you can't really separate them.  I said I'd be happy to read them books about their culture and discuss their many beliefs, as well as visit family friends who live on the local reserves.
I hope I got across to them that I would not be attempting to evangelize the child, but I do have boundaries about actually participating in ceremonies myself.  I know I am exposing my ignorance here but I also don't know what boundaries I should have about dreamcatchers and other religious articles in my home.  And just for some background information, my dad is Metis and we grew up with Natives (Indians, Aboriginals, whatever the preferred title is) of all ages living in our home for months or weeks as their situation demanded.  So in some ways I feel like I am ideally suited to meet this need in our community but are my concerns and questions here a result of being religiously rigid or am I being appropriately cautious?  Depending on how our meeting with this specialist goes, they might limit us to only "non-religious kids", or we might have an open door to any child in need.  Thoughts?  Be gentle with me, I know I have a blind spot here.
Also, we could just as easily have a Muslim child placed in our home, or a child of any other religion who would possibly need special prayer mats or incense or prayer times or idols...

Well it is really generous that you have opened your home to care for children, a blessing for you as well as the child I would think. I don't think it is being unreasonable to decline to teach or attend any ceremonies that are against the way that you believe. Christendom evangelizing has done more harm than good in many cases, so it's easy to see their stand against that.

It's understandable that they would not want you to try an persuade/teach a child according to the way that you believe either, as I do understand their wanting to preserve aboriginal cultures in the world. I do believe that your example in the ways you live would speak for you anyway, that would be your witness.

mercy, peace and love
Kat

[cheekie3]

lostANDfound -

Thank you both for your responses.  My parents have taught me to be very cautious about objects, that demons can be attached to objects and be unwittingly brought into the home to wreak havoc.  I once brought them back a mask from Fiji as a gift. They wouldn't accept it as it might have had some evil attached to it.  So I guess I am being brought to examine and uproot these long held beliefs. 
Satan has been given power in this world and there is a lot I don't understand, but this verse just came to my head as I type this:

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 1 John 4:4

I just wanted to say that this is a Beautiful verse of Scripture - and to me, the whole issue that you are raising is about:

1. Your desire, or not, to worship anything else, other than The One True God.

2. Whether these objects have power and authority over you and your family.

To me, The Scriptures clearly state that those He has set free from 'bondage and sin' are free indeed. And I know that sin remains with us, as it is a necessary evil as part of our 'chastisement' and purification'.

So, my own answers to the above two points, would be something on these lines:

1. Father, you know that you have placed within my heart and mind to only desire to please and worship you, and I know that I cannot remove every object that does not Honour you.

2. Father, I know that these objects no longer have any influence over me - and I most certainly do not worship or desire them, as they no longer can have power over me - as you have set me apart from such things under Jesus Christ.

I hope this helps you a little.

May He Grace you with His Rich Blessings in His Peace, Joy, Love and Liberty - and Reveal His Truths on this particular matter to your heart and mind.

Kind Regards.

George
 

[lostANDfound]

An update on this:  We had the meeting and it went really well.  The specialist is a Christian and she is also a status Indian and she told us what parts of what events to avoid and how we can be there without participating.  If we go at all, we can help prepare food or look after kids while others are in the sweat-lodge, etc.  And she said what some of you have said, if God is omnipotent, then what do we have to fear?  She said she prays for protection before and after every event.  It was good to hear her perspective, and yes I know she's in Babylon but there you go.  Also, it turns our I'm aboriginal!!!  Who knew?  My great grandma was full-blood and my great grandpa was mixed blood.  So we are being upgraded to an "Aboriginal Caregiver Home" and they'll be chomping at the bit to fill our beds, according to her.  If that's our title we'll be quite the disappointment to the future bio-families we'll be working with, I'm afraid.  Every one of us are fair-skinned and blue eyed!       
I'm feeling better about things, thanks for the words and any prayers you may remembered me in.

[Dave in Tenn]

Sweet.