Cherokees and Christianity, 1794-1870, The

Book Description

This scholarly exploration reveals the profound spiritual transformation that unfolded within the Cherokee Nation during a pivotal century of cultural encounter. William Gerald McLoughlin traces the complex journey of religious change as Cherokee communities navigated the arrival of Christian missionaries from six different denominations between 1794 and 1861.

Rather than focusing solely on broader cultural shifts, this work delves deeply into the spiritual dimensions of acculturation. The author examines how Cherokee people responded to the fundamental clash between their traditional religious practices and Christian teachings, revealing the intricate ways communities either embraced, adapted, or resisted new spiritual frameworks.

The narrative unfolds in two distinct phases, first exploring the initial encounters between Cherokee spiritual leaders and Christian missionaries, including how religious questions became intertwined with the contentious issue of slavery. The second section addresses the challenging reality of racism that shaped spiritual life across the American South, examining how Cherokee communities either molded Christianity to serve their cultural needs or rejected it as incompatible with their identity.

This examination demonstrates how spiritual and political concerns became inseparable during the turbulent decades leading up to the Civil War. The work concludes with Chief Lewis Downing's 1870 Fast Day Proclamation, offering insight into how Cherokee spiritual leadership evolved through this transformative period.

For readers interested in understanding how communities preserve spiritual identity while navigating profound cultural change, this study provides valuable perspectives on resilience, adaptation, and the complex relationship between faith and cultural survival.