I love working with sacred symbolism. The Tree Of Life is important in many mythological, religious and philosophical traditions. This one has mandalas arranged in a Chakra configuration.
Opinion: Why the birthplace of the Western #Apache religion shouldn’t be destroyed by a #CopperMine
by Luke Goodrich
February 6, 2024·
"A federal court is poised to decide whether a #NativeAmerican#sacred site will be destroyed by a massive #copper#mine. Mining proponents claim that destroying the #SacredSite is necessary for the development of #GreenEnergy. That claim is both factually wrong and morally repugnant. And recent polling shows that the vast majority of Americans agree with what the constitution requires: #Native sacred sites deserve the same protection as all other houses of worship.
"Since before European contact, #WesternApache and other Native tribes have lived and honored their #Creator at #OakFlat, or 'Chi’chil Bildagoteel.' The site is the birthplace of Western Apache religion and the site of ancient religious ceremonies that cannot take place anywhere else. Because of its religious and cultural significance, Oak Flat is on the National Register of Historic Places and has been protected from mining and other destructive practices for decades.
"That changed in 2014, when several members of Congress, supported by #corporate#mining#lobbyists, slipped an amendment into a must-pass defense bill authorizing the transfer of Oak Flat to a foreign-owned mining giant. That company, #ResolutionCopper, announced plans to obliterate the sacred ground by swallowing it in a mining crater nearly two miles wide and 1,100-feet deep, ending Apache religious practices forever. That was no surprise given the company’s sordid history dealing with #IndigenousPeoples. The majority owner of Resolution Copper is #RioTinto (the world’s second largest mining company), which sparked international outrage in 2020 when it destroyed a 46,000-year-old rock shelter with some of the most significant #Aboriginal artifacts in all of #Australia.
"The Apache and their allies, represented by my firm, the #BecketFundForReligiousLiberty, have been fighting in court to ensure that such an atrocity won’t repeat itself at Oak Flat. After initial court rulings against the Apache, a full panel of 11 judges at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reheard their appeal last spring. A decision on whether the government can execute the land transfer is expected any day.
"Resolution Copper and its backers want the public to believe that building the mine is essential for developing #renewable energy. Extracting the copper beneath Oak Flat, they say, will help to build batteries necessary for powering #ElectricVehicles and thus fight #ClimateChange. In other words, we have to destroy Oak Flat in order to save the planet.
"These claims, however, are false — and they are specifically designed to obscure the physical and cultural destruction the project would wreak on the land.
"The mine will destroy the #environment, not save it. It is undisputed that the mine will swallow the ecologically diverse landscape of Oak Flat in a massive crater, decimating the local #ecosystem. It will also leave behind approximately 1.37 billion tons of '#tailings,' or #MiningWaste, which, according to the government’s own environmental assessment, will pollute the #groundwater and scar the landscape permanently. And the mine will consume vast quantities of water at the time it is most needed by drought-stricken towns and #farmers.
"Supporters of the mine are also at odds with the majority of Americans. According to this year’s Religious Freedom Index, an annual survey conducted by Becket, 74% of Americans believe that Native sacred sites on federal land should be protected from mining projects, even when the projects are purportedly pro-jobs and pro-environment.
"That conclusion is both sensible and humane. America can transition to renewable energy without blasting the cradle of Western Apache religion into oblivion. And it should. For too long, our nation has made excuses for taking advantage of #IndigenousPeople and their land. Indeed, our nation drove the Western Apache off Oak Flat and surrounding lands in the 1800s precisely to make way for #MiningInterests. It shouldn’t repeat that #injustice again.
"It is past time to protect Indigenous sacred sites from further destruction. Basic fairness and our constitutional commitment to religious freedom require no less. And, happily, most Americans agree."
Large, round balls are thought to #protect land & cattle in Padlya village near Khandwa district in Madhya Pradesh. The balls are named "Kakar Bhairav", the first meaning 'farm' & the second 'ruler'. There are about 256 of them.
Recently, #scientists discovered that the #sacred balls are really fossilised eggs belonging to a #dinosaur species of Titanosaurus.
Another piece I created for The Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle of Canada.
The Medicine Wheel has been used by generations of various Native American tribes for health and healing. It embodies the 4 Directions, as well as Father Sky, Mother Earth, and Spirit Tree—all of which symbolize dimensions of health and the cycles of life.
The interior dome of the Baha'i House of Worship for North America in Wilmette, Illinois. I am a bit ashamed that I snuck the photo (no cameras aloud) but I assure you, I did it most respectfully. At the center of the dome is a Baha'i symbol called the "Greatest Name," which translates as "O Thou Glory of Glories."
Another exterior photograph of the Baha'i House of Worship for North America in Wilmette, Illinois. On most of the nine sides are quotes from Bahaullah. He was a prophet from 19th century Iran who, according to Baha'is, is the manifestation of God for the current age. This particular quote - "The Earth is but one Country - and Mankind its Citizens" - is a particularly important one for Baha'is.
It's a breezy one, here in the valley.
Black crows are darting and flitting about like soot off a wayward candle.
Our magnificent #magnolia tree has begun casting off its shell pink, boat shaped petals, and the delicate foliage of our #acers is dancing in the wind.
Sometimes when we walk, we pass by this statue of Jesus at the Queen of Angels Church right off Welles Park in Lincoln Square. We often call him Bangra Jesus. Put on some Bangra music and look at the photo - ROFL
Peeking out from an ancient hermitage cave near Salgotarján, Hungary - I'm again reminded how much our souls relish moments when we can be at one with Nature's Sacred spaces.
'This is our Vatican': British Columbia Trans Mountain expanded oil and gas pipeline route change will 'desecrate' sacred site: Secwépemc knowledge keeper
At the absolute end of the Purple Line on the CTA overlooking Lake Michigan is the Baha'i House of Worship for North America in Wilmette, Illinois.
It is the oldest existing House of Worship for the Baha'i Faith. One of the newest world religions, the Baha'i faith emphasizes the unity of all religions, equality of men and women, and a new revelation from Bahaullah, the most recent Manifestation of God.
I came here in February because I was feeling particularly drained from work. I wanted to go to someplace quiet where I could disconnect for an hour or two. The space is peaceful and calm. It is open to all people no matter their beliefs. And when the Spring comes, the gardens around the site bloom.
No matter how sacred people claim they are, religious beliefs are subjective and not immune to criticism just like any other belief system or ideology. Criticism of religion is not an attack on individuals, it's a critique of ideas and practices that have societal implications. Religious people shouldn't be offended by criticism of their religion. #faith#prayer#spirituality#divine#belief#soul#sacred#blessings
Fencing with shadows in front of the Baha'i House of Worship for North America in Wilmette, Illinois. I just love the way the shadows and light play on the pavement.
Two close up images of the Baha'i House of Worship for North America in Willamette, Illinois.
It is made of a special concrete designed to withstand the extreme temperatures. It has nine sides (a sacred number for Bahais) and has imagery from many major world religions.
The mountain also has #CulturalMeaning. "Anyemaqen is regarded as a #sacred mountain by us #Tibetans," Tenzin Dargye said. "Seeing the snowy mountain melting bit by bit, we felt that we should do something."
She said there is “nothing #Indigenous about the RCMP.”
“They can hire Indigenous people but it doesn’t change their many #HumanRights violations and their continued role in #MMIWG. #RibbonSkirts are #sacred & not to be associated with #genocide,” she said, adding whoever thought of the idea should be fired.