More on cultural misappropriation

Steve Caldwell at Liberal Faith Development has more specific examples of cultural misappropriation to discuss, in the form of video clips of "plastic shamans", Native American reactions, and some study questions. This is a major phenomenon; if you go to a national park such as Mesa Verde, you'll quickly find that every third visitor believes themselves to be the reincarnation of Crazy Horse.

Every religion has their version of a "plastic shaman" selling distorted versions of their heritage to the gullible; Judaism has them selling Kabbalah to Hollywood celebrities; Wicca has Silver Ravenwolf, et al; Asian religions have New Age practitioners making such a hash of them that they now rival cheap hotdogs for filler. The seekers who make these people rich are not the problem; they meant to be respectful of those traditions- why else would they pay so much to learn how to do it right? (Or so they thought when they laid out the cash) The problem isn't even the frauds selling made up spirituality- when a vacuum exists, there will always be schlock ready to fill it.

The problem is that vacuum. It has long been noted that there is a god-shaped hole in the human heart that must be filled with something. (Yes, I know that some of you atheists detest that quote, but even if it isn't true of you personally, it's demonstrably true of the vast majority of mankind) Most people have that hole satisfactorily filled before they're even aware of it by the mainstream culture. Even in nations not known to be particularly religious, it's virtually impossible to avoid primer level education in the "acceptable" religions.

But what if none of those float your boat? Your soul is S.O.L.; there is no generally available education in alternative or world religions, in church or in school. (Yes, there is U.U.R.E., but only for children- and UUs are statistically insignificant) Most of those religions, from Wicca to Native Americans to Taoists and more, do not proselytize; there's no Jack Chick handing out tracts for them. The seeker must truly seek- and what will they find first? The ones who do proselytize- the plastic shamans, the fluffy bunnies, the playgans, the one who buy their way to the top of Google lists. The ones who can afford to advertise because of how much they charge; the ones who alter the faith to make it sell better, the ones who, in the final analysis, all worship the same god: Mammon.

So what can we do about it? Actually do, I mean, as opposed to merely adding new language to our principles and Purposes that few UUs- and certainly no one else- will read and understand? I have recommended before that we, as a nation wide program, publicly offer adult R.E. courses. Recognized ministers from well known churches will be trusted over self-taught gurus; good information will drive out bad.

We are uniquely situated to do this. It cannot be done in the public schools; adding more religion there will result in millions of people throwing up their hands, spinning in circles, and going "Eek!" It cannot be done in most mainstream churches; they only recognize a single path to truth. If any church on Earth could feel bringing spirituality to seekers in need, people who are painfully vulnerable to those who would take advantage of them, a calling, it would be us.

We won't do it, of course- we must spend every spare penny on new fax machines for the Washington Advocacy Office. But I can dream.