booksofthedead’s Reviews > Native Religions of North America: The Power of Visions and Fertility > Status Update

I like that the men participate in cleansing rituals during a women's menstruation period and her childbirth. It shows that both parties are actively involved in each others' lives.

I really like that the author chose to focus on two distinct groups of Native Americans after giving a brief overview of their religions. The Shoshoni are very interesting!

"All religions tend to be conservative, because their sacred authority lies in the sanctity of the past.... At the same time most religions remain open to the personal experiences of the spiritual world. The balance between faithfulness to tradition and openness to new experience is what constitutes the religious life."