Consider this question objectively if possible; how much appreciation, or elevation in carvings * and/or ceremonies, should be attributed to ‘killer whales’ correctly known as Orcas? Perhaps at the top of the marine food chain, they prey on salmon, birds, seals, and young whales.
True they are marvelous marine creatures. Of course it’s typical for human media to highlight the beauty and grace of such large marine mammals, perhaps simply because they are more readily available and photogenic than others, otherwise known as the news glamor factor.?
Without a doubt ‘all‘ other life on earth contributes to ‘human‘ life in one way or another. But only the Creator of all such diverse and beneficial life, marine or otherwise, actually deserves our adoration and accreditation; not birds, not marine animals, not unseen spirits, but only the Great Spirit and Creator of all life is truly deserving of our worship!
* I hasten to add that ‘worship’ is not, and was not, the intended purpose of pole carvers, as was so wrongly judged by Christendom in the past! However, please take note of a scriptural passage relating to worship:
“Therefore, since we are the children of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, like something sculptured by the art and design of humans. True, God has overlooked the times of such ignorance; but now he is declaring to all people everywhere that they should repent.” (Acts 17:29,30)
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I like the words you chose of “Great Spirit” and “Creator” that appeals to the common ground between Indigenous faith and ours. When speaking recently to a person of Muslim faith I referred to the Bible as our “Holy Book” and Jesus as the “Prophet Jesus” which is common ground between our two faiths. Semantics really do matter in how our message from the Bible is received.
I like the words you chose of “Gre