“Religion is, in reality, living. Our religion is not what we profess, or what we say, or what we proclaim; our religion is what we do, what we desire, what we seek, what we dream about, what we fantasize, what we think - all these things - twenty-four hours a day. One's religion, then, is ones life, not merely the ideal life but the life as it is actually lived. Religion is not prayer, it is not a church, it is not theistic, it is not atheistic, it has little to do with what white people call "religion." It is our every act. If we tromp on a bug, that is our religion; if we experiment on living animals, that is our religion; if we cheat at cards, that is our religion; if we dream of being famous, that is our religion; if we gossip maliciously, that is our religion; if we are rude and aggressive, that is our religion. All that we do, and are, is our religion.”
Quote by Jack D. Forbes
Work
The work critically analyzes the patterns of conquest, colonization, and systemic exploitation that have characterized various empires and powers throughout history. Drawing heavily on Indigenous North American philosophy and terminology, the author uses the wetiko concept as a framework for understanding the psychological and cultural pathologies that drive imperialistic behavior and the subjugation of peoples. The book explores how these patterns manifest in different historical contexts, from European colonialism in the Americas to contemporary forms of oppression and terrorism. The text presents a controversial thesis about the nature of power and violence in civilization, challenging readers to reconsider mainstream historical narratives and examine the darker aspects of human societal development. more
Author
Jack D. Forbes was an American writer known for his profound insights and critical analysis of Native American culture. His work spanned a variety of fields including history, literature, and ethnography, and had a significant impact on the understanding and appreciation of Native American history and culture. more