In response to the question , in the first post , asking why it is offensive to charge;
As far as I know , all the major religions avoid charging for Spiritual teachings. I suspect one reason for this is because these Spiritual teachings are largely about social values . Expecting to be paid for teaching basic social values such as the ten commandments or values such as respect, kindness and honesty , would be a bit like expecting your 3 year old, to pay you with their toys,for teaching them not to hit other kids . It is
just our duty as human beings , to do what we can to assist other human beings to be good, and not hurt themselves or each other.
It is only the New Age brand of Spirituality that seems to have little intrest in the teachings of morality , found in every other religion , and goes straight for the more sensational personal empowerment and enrichment stuff . That is probably one reason why New Age Spirituality so often gets treated with so little respect . It is all about self improvement , personal "healing", but
often the only improvement visible to the community is in peoples fantasy life . I guess people looking for psychological entertainment and an adventure in personal discovery see no problem in paying for it.
The problem is , for people who believe in a Higher Power , God , Great Spirit , Creator , Angels Ancestors or some other form of beneficial Spirit Helpers , it seems exceedingly arrogant to imagine we ,as human beings have any control over these Sacred forces . They are much larger than
ourselves, they only act in our lives when they have a real job to do ,and they do not show up for appointments . No one has any right to charge an admission fee, to some other person , to have a relationship with these Higher Powers. ?
If a real relationship is formed between a person and a Higher Power , that relationship will have positive and practical benefits to the whole community . ? That is the pay back .
It is very important that whoever is acting as a Spiritual guide , is an honest, ethical Spiritualy mature person . Money , power , and the prestige of guruship attract exactly the opposite type of people , and tend to bend even those who are good . When Spiritual leaders have a life long relationship with their community ,there are some natural checks and balances which help keep these leaders honest .
Most organized religions that maintain a Church , and a ministery , do need money to do this , but from what I understand , ? this money is raised through voluntary donations , from Church members who can afford to do this . Nuns entering a convent bring their dowery , but it must
be remembered that the convent will be supplying those nuns with food , clothing and lodging the rest of their lives, so expecting people to arrive with whatever worldy sustenance they may have , is not charging for teaching , but preparation for a life long union with the Church .
I doubt any Church would turn someone away from Sunday service , or needing to come in off the street to pray , or from speaking with the minister, if they were not a member , or were a member, but could not, or would not , donate .
Within traditional Native communities I think it is a similar system .
Considering that non native religions have enough respect for these Higher Powers to not expect people to pay to pray , it seems really disrespectful that non native people would not have as much respect for Native traditions , and instead would think it was OK to market Native Spiritual traditions , like they are no more than entertainment .
One thing I have noticed is some of what is said about payment / no payment , in Native traditions sometimes seems a bit contradictory . It is said there is no payment but a gift of tobacco , but then it is also said people should give something as a donation , and money is good too , because people need money for things that cannot be traded for ? .
Someone who knows more than me , might be able to clarify this , but from what I can piece together , there seems to be a slightly different expectaion depending on what type of help is received . Requesting doctoring or maybe wanting to improve your personal luck , is a bit different than if the assistance is more on the ministering side , such as learning from a
Spiritual role model and maintaining traditional community Spiritual ceremonies . ?
Ministering seems to be more a tobacco gift sort of thing , but for something on the doctoring side it seems courteous that some form of contribution , in barter , or money , will some day be made , if the help works . But it is more a show of gratitude , like buying groceries and leaving a gift with a friend if they have let you stay at their house . I have never seen any set payment or haggling over a price before hand ? .
Probably this is not much different than the way non native doctors worked in a small community a hundred years ago . If someone was hurt , the doctor helped them . Sometimes they got paid , sometimes they just got a few eggs , and sometimes they got nothing . ? But no decent doctor in a small community would leave someone with a broken leg because they might not pay .
Another problem with someone charging money, is that Spiritual traditions are owned collectively by all Native people , and the majority of Native people feel it is really degrading and disrespectful to commercialize them .
I guess some people just do not care ? . That is why the word "theft " and "rape " are often used ? to describe this experience of forced cultural "sharing". Repeatedly putting other people through an experience ,that feels like this much of a violation , when they over and over again cry out, NO , and STOP , is not a way any real Spiritual person would act . Sharing what is Sacred in your life , with someone this arrogant and insensitive can be very dangerous !
