Native American Church, also called Peyotism or Peyote religion, is the most widespread indigenous religion among Native Americans. Peyotism involves the use of peyote, a spineless cactus with hallucinogenic effects similar to LSD.
Peyote was used in Mexico in pre-Columbian times to communicate with the supernatural and also as a medicine. In the mid 19th century, the use of peyote spread to the Great Plains area of the United States. Statistics are uncertain, but Peyotism is practiced in more than 50 Indian tribes and probably has between 100,000 and 300,000 adherents.
Peyotist belief varies considerably from tribe to tribe. Among the various beliefs are: belief in Jesus as a Native American culture hero, an intercessor for man or a spiritual guardian; belief in the Bible; belief in Peyote personified as a God; and association of Jesus with Peyote. Peyotists believe in a supreme God (the Great Spirit) as well as several lesser gods or spirits. The "Peyote Road" calls for Indian brotherly love (i.e Indian Nationalism), family care, self-support through work, and avoidance of alcohol. The peyote ritual normally begins at 8 pm Saturday and continues through the night. The ritual includes prayer, eating of peyote, singing, water rituals and contemplation. It ends with breakfast Sunday morning. The peyote ritual is believed to allow communion with Gods, the deceased and to give power, guidance and healing.
Peyotism has faced many legal challenges. Nonetheless, a Native American Peyotist is much less likely to be prosecuted than the average drug user.
Peyote (Lophophora williamsii) is a small spineless cactus whose native region extends from the southwestern United States (including the states of Texas and New Mexico) through central Mexico.
Peyote was originally described in 1560, however it was not until the middle of the nineteenth century that botanists were able to conduct field research and correctly classify the cactus (Anderson, 1980).
The contrasting peyote ceremony consists of a prayer meeting in which peyote is ingested under the leadership of the leader or road man while utilizing singing, drumming, and prayers in the time from of dusk to dawn.
Peyote religion is what saved the Osage tribe from moral corruption, "Peyote induced a beautiful state and behavior of adherents was as different from that of whisky drinkers on a spree as that of peaceful sheep and rampant lions" (Stewart, 1987).
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