Mankind could be spared so much sorrow by accepting this simple truism: “No power or personality on Mother Earth is the keeper of the absolute truth." When trying to understand the warped minds of the religious zealots who have spawned barbarous wars, such as the ones still unravelling in Bosnia and Ireland, this discourse from an 1805 meeting between a crusading Christian preacher and the Chiefs of the Seneca Nation might help:

With an absolute belief in the rightness of his message, the preacher began his efforts to convert the Chiefs to Christianity by stating: "I have not come to get your lands...but to enlighten your minds." "There is but one religion"... "You have never worshiped the Great Spirit in a manner acceptable to Him; but all your lives have been in great error and darkness."

Ronald Wright, in his book Stolen Continents, comments: "In a scene reminiscent of the debate between Franciscans and Aztec priests nearly 300 hundred years before, the formidable Red Jacket rose to reply. His answer is one of the best ever given to Christianity's claims. Which mentality, he makes one wonder, is the more primitive: that which believes itself to have a patent on truth or that which pleads for cultural diversity, for tolerance, for mutual respect?"

Chief Red Jacket: "Brother....Listen to what we say. There was a time when our forefathers owned this great island. Their seats extended from the rising to the setting sun. The Great Spirit had made it for the use of Indians. He had created the buffalo, the deer, and other animals for food. He had made the bear and the beaver. Their skins served us for clothing. He had scattered them over the country, and taught us how to take them. He had caused the earth to produce corn for bread....If we had some disputes about our hunting ground, they were generally settled without the shedding of much blood. But an evil day came upon us. Your forefathers crossed the great water and landed on this island. Their numbers were small. They found friends and not enemies. They told us they had fled from their own country for fear of wicked men, and had come here to enjoy their religion. They asked for a small seat. We took pity on them, granted their request; and they sat down amongst us. We gave them corn and meat; they gave us poison in return.

The white people, Brother, had now found our country. Tidings were carried back, and more came amongst us. Yet we did not fear them. We took them to be friends. They called us brothers. We believed them, and gave them a larger seat. At length their numbers had greatly increased. They wanted more land; they wanted our country. Our eyes were opened, and our minds became uneasy. Wars took place. Indians were hired to fight against Indians, and many of our people were destroyed. They also brought liquor amongst us. It was strong and powerful, and has slain thousands.

Brother: Our seats were once large and yours were small. You have now become a great people, and we have scarcely a place left to spread our blankets. You have got our country, but are not satisfied; you want to force your religion upon us.

Brother: Continue to listen. You say that you are sent to instruct us how to worship the Great Spirit agreeably to his mind, and, if we do not take hold of the religion which you white people teach, we shall be unhappy hereafter. You say that you are right and we are lost. How do we know this to be true? We....only know what you tell us about it. How shall we know when to believe, being so often deceived by the white people?

Brother: You say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it?...

Brother: We do not understand these things. We are told that your religion was given to your forefathers, and has been handed down from father to son. We also have a religion, which was given to our forefathers, and has been handed down to us, their children. We worship in that way. It teaches us to be thankful for all the favours we receive; to love each other, and to be united. We never quarrel about religion.

Brother; The Great Spirit has made us all, but he has made a great difference between his white and red children. He has given us different complexions and different customs....Since he has made so great a difference between us in other things, why may we not conclude that he has given us a different religion?...

Brother: We do not wish to destroy your religion, or take it from you. We only want to enjoy our own....

Brother: We are told that you have been preaching to the white people in this place. These people are our neighbours. We are acquainted with them. We will wait a little while, and see what effect your preaching has upon them. If we find it does them good, makes them honest and less disposed to cheat Indians, we will then consider again of what your have said." (Quotes are from Stolen continents, Penguin Books, 1993.)

Besides that displayed by religious wars in Bosnia and Northern Ireland, remnant European religious intolerance is perhaps best highlighted by this fact: An heir to the English Crown loses the right to succession by marrying a Roman Catholic!

Daniel N. Paul