Show indian religion Is using happiness narcotic ceremony makes braves happy A new indian religion in which the slightly intoxicating effects of a narcotic known as peyote play a prominent part is rapidly gaining ground among tribes of utah arizona and colorado according to omer C stewart research assistant in the department of anthropology of the university of california stewart recently returned from a research tour among the indians especially the utes Gas utes southern aiutes and navajo tribes where the new religion is most widespread according to his findings this religion had its rather dim origins in oklahoma about 50 years ago it was later introduced in utah in 1914 by sam roan bear a sioux indian since then the faith has taken hold on the tribes in the three states the religion is an impressive combination of christian and indian beliefs cliffs at the ceremonies the members of the tribe partake of the peyote which is derived from dried cactus buttons indians gather around a low crescent shaped altar in the sand where a fire is kept at a glow throughout the service the ritual consists principally Dally in kneeling praying for both friends and foes and chanting songs in the characteristic indian tempo but with many christian names and biblical phrases incorporated y from all that stewart coul could d as YC certain and especially from the white devotees of the new religion the peyote is no more harmful than the smoking of a cigar acting as a mild stimulant and having no permanent effects the principal effect of the stimulant it seems is to put the worshipers in a happy frame of mind these qualities gradually instill themselves permanently into the psychology and spiritual life of the indians and improve their everyday conduct it is said |