Paying to Pray

[RainWarrior]

I wanted to kinda start a post on one of the biggest problem expanding from our spiritual way. People are charging others to go on vision quests sweat lodges pipe ceremony ect. How does everyone feel about this? I personally DON'T agree with it in any way. I know ceremonies can be expensive but there is no excuse to me to may someone pay to pray. I know the cost can add up but I wanted to point out to people to spread the load when this happens. Traditional sweat lodges could ask people to help bring wood instead of $ or even a dish of spirit food for after the ceremony I believe this is an important topic people should consider especially when they begin to practice. I know there was a big to do about a sweat lodge gone wrong a while back. It was set up wrong scientifically but I also think it was in a sense cursed for charging so much for a ceremony. I wanted to know others opinions on this topic? But remember we all have our own views.

[2shadows]

The adawehi never charge for prayer..they served and serve the people, they do not profit from them. The cherokee did not have a tradition of a sweat..like the lakota..they did have a
large room..perhaps 30 feet in diameter in the larger villages..that housed the sacred fire. and it was always a warm place for people to go.. esp children or the elders ..it also was a place where the adawehi would teach their lessons ...if we are invited to attend a sweat..then we should be honored to attend..for indeed it would be a great honor..but it is not in our tradition. We should be there as guest.

I find it morally reprehensible and ethically indefensible for someone to try to make money from spirituality..those people prey on the pain of others.


but as you say..we all have opinions.....this just happens to be a hot button issue for me.

dohi