![]() "Cressman doesn't believe in the myth and doesn't want to promote it. Based on a sculpture entitled 'Sacred Rain Arrow,' the image illustrates a story of an Apache warrior shooting arrows blessed by a medicine man toward the clouds to end a drought. "The standard Oklahoma license plate, introduced in 2009, depicts a statue of a Native American shooting an arrow toward the sky. Nate Kellum, the attorney representing Cressman, explained his client's views in a post on the Facebook page for the Center for Religious Expression. Thom White Wolf Fassett and Bishops Mary Ann Swenson, Robert E. Applauding Tinker (from left, front row) are: the Rev. George Tinker (left) receives the applause of United Methodist Church leaders after giving the sermon at the 2012 United Methodist General Conference in Tampa, Fla. The 2012 United Methodist General Conference, the denomination's top lawmaking body, dedicated a significant portion to an " Act of Repentance toward Healing Relationships with Indigenous Peoples." Freedom of speech I view it as a distraction to the ongoing healing relationships." ![]() Cressman could have said something to me so that I could have entered into some dialogue with him and some of my Native American brothers and sisters who could have explained the symbol. "I find it troubling and disturbing that one of our pastors would find this symbol offensive," Hayes said. is the episcopal leader for both Oklahoma conferences. Oklahoma is home to the majority of its congregations however, the conference has one church in Dallas, and three churches and one fellowship in Kansas.īishop Robert Hayes Jr. The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference includes 6,000 members of 84 churches that are in ministry with Native American people. Oklahoma is home to two United Methodist annual (regional) Conferences. "It reminds me of the artist's connection to God and the people's desire to connect with God." Native Americans, Oklahoma and the church "The Rain Arrow sculpture to my understanding is the artist's attempt to show an aspect of Apache life," Wilson said. Many art galleries around the world display Houser's work, and the Smithsonian Institute owns a version of the "Sacred Rain Arrow." "I think there are many who understand this lawsuit (to be) as frivolous as I do." David Wilson, district superintendent of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference. "Being a citizen of the United States entitles Cressman the rights to express his opinion, but being a United Methodist minister does not entitle him to speak for The United Methodist Church," said the Rev. The image to which Cressman objects is a photo of a sculpture by Allan Houser titled "Sacred Rain Arrow." It is based on an ancient Apache legend about a warrior who had his bow and arrow blessed for ending a drought. "One is mistaken to characterize it as such," he said. Mark's United Methodist Church in Bethany, Okla., said the case is not an attack on Native American religion, culture or beliefs. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver has ruled a United Methodist pastor can continue his suit against the state of Oklahoma over the license plate image of a Native American shooting an arrow into the sky because he feels it violates his religious liberty.Įven though neither his church nor his ordination is mentioned, the suit has stirred up some negative feelings in the denomination.
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