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Matthew K Michels, OblSB's avatar

Some forms of inculturation I actually really like and actively promote, like Native Americans performing their ritual tribal dances, oriented now in worship to the One True God.

But this is eerily similar to smudging IMO - in fact it sounds like kinda the same thing. And so it's something I don't think we should entertain, especially when it's spoken about in the way that Mayer spoke about it: "to bring in healing and healthy positive vibes, and to cleanse and remove any past negative energies... that it cleanses the area and brings success and confidence to you all... to just take it in, let it cleanse you, take all that the elders have to offer.”

This is not an "inculturated" Christian practice. This is pagan speak. This is smudging.

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Bridget's avatar

"to bring in healing and healthy positive vibes, and to cleanse and remove any past negative energies" - I guess this sounds like the same general intent as when we (laypeople) have brought a squirt bottle of holy water to the vicinity of an abortion clinic (for use on exterior surfaces when we are not closely observed by staff/volunteers, which doesn't really happen anymore), except that we would just use the word "demons", it's shorter. I am generally in favor of the acknowledgement that there are bad things we can't see and that they should be got rid of.

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