Why did Christians force their religion upon Native-Americans?

Question

Native-Americans practiced their own religion and the ignorant Christians (OF the 19th Century) took them away from their environment and forced them to become Chritsian, to cut their hair and learn that Polgymamy is wrong.

Christians may believe that Polygamy is wrong but it was part of the Native-American belief and that should be respected.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

They needed (read wanted) the land.  So they used religious dupes to do the "work"
George Custer thought it was his "mission from god" to "exterminate the brown heathen" from the land.
Christians have always, and will continue to use violence and killing to gain their ends.
Common criminals are they.  Killers of entire populations.
Are you a proud christian?

Roman C · Answer

They were a  "vehicle" used by the  American govt to destroy our languages, cultures, and tribal identities. It was the American govt who passed the laws, and the American govt who enforced the laws and it was the American govt who rounded all the children up and forced them into boarding schools. Some were run by Christians, some were run by "civil servants" The fact is, the American govt is by far the greater villain because the govt legislated the govt school era when Christianity was being forced upon many of our people. It is ridiculous to blame some 19th cent religious group for the actions of the govt.

Wiininiskwe *Ajidamoon* · Answer

Polygamy eh? 

Sounds like you know nothing about Native Americans and are making some pretty wild, Hollywood based generalizations.

biggalloot2003 · Answer

The reason that muslims and christians can claim 2/3rds of humanity is that the religions spread through genocide.

Any that would not convert were killed. Many religions like the Celts were eradicated. Zoroastrians have only held on because they were able to escape muslim destruction by running to India.

Anonymous · Answer

The problem is that you're not very good at empathizing with others; with seeing things from their perspective.

From the perspective of those Christians, it would have been a crime to NOT convert the Native Americans. If they didn't convert them, that would have been condemning their souls to eternal torment.

Anonymous · Answer

That's Christianity for you. Oppressing freedom and learning for 2000 years.

Freethinking Liberal · Answer

It is the way of the Christian

Sly Phi AM · Answer

Religions die out unless they're forced upon others.

Anonymous · Answer

Smallpox is a powerful incentive.

the re - chosen one · Answer

The God Yahweh had the Native Americans conquered by His nation because He was not the God that they worshiped.

Why did Christians force their religion upon Native-Americans?

12 Answers