About this product

Product Identifiers

PublisherUniversity of Oklahoma Press

ISBN-100806143231

ISBN-139780806143231

eBay Product ID (ePID)114197819

Product Key Features

Book TitlePeyote Road : Religious Freedom and the Native American Church

Number of Pages296 Pages

LanguageEnglish

TopicSpirituality, Ethnic Studies / Native American Studies, Ethnic & Tribal, Native American

Publication Year2012

IllustratorYes

GenreReligion, Social Science, History

AuthorThomas C. Maroukis

Book SeriesThe Civilization of the American Indian Ser.

FormatTrade Paperback

Dimensions

Item Height0.6 in

Item Weight15.4 Oz

Item Length9.2 in

Item Width6.1 in

Additional Product Features

Intended AudienceTrade

TitleLeadingThe

Reviews"Surveys Peyotism's beliefs and practices . . . and its legal and political aspects. Maroukis is a keen observer of contemporary Peyotism."- The Journal of American History

Series Volume Number265

SynopsisDespite challenges by the federal government to restrict the use of peyote, the Native American Church, which uses the hallucinogenic cactus as a religious sacrament, has become the largest indigenous denomination among American Indians today. The Peyote Road examines the history of the NAC, including its legal struggles to defend the controversial use of peyote. Thomas C. Maroukis has conducted extensive interviews with NAC members and leaders to craft an authoritative account of the church's history, diverse religious practices, and significant people. His book integrates a narrative history of the Peyote faith with analysis of its religious beliefs and practices--as well as its art and music--and an emphasis on the views of NAC members. Deftly blending oral histories and legal research, Maroukis traces the religion's history from its Mesoamerican roots to the legal incorporation of the NAC; its expansion to the northern plains, Great Basin, and Southwest; and challenges to Peyotism by state and federal governments, including the Supreme Court decision in Oregon v. Smith. He also introduces readers to the inner workings of the NAC with descriptions of its organizational structure and the Cross Fire and Half Moon services. The Peyote Road updates Omer Stewart's classic 1987 study of the Peyote religion by taking into consideration recent events and scholarship. In particular, Maroukis discusses not only the church's current legal issues but also the diminishing Peyote supply and controversies surrounding the definition of membership. Today approximately 300,000 American Indians are members of the Native American Church. The Peyote Road marks a significant case study of First Amendment rights and deepens our understanding of the struggles of NAC members to practice their faith., Despite challenges by the federal government to restrict the use of peyote, the Native American Church, which uses the hallucinogenic cactus as a religious sacrament, has become the largest indigenous denomination among American Indians today. The Peyote Road examines the history of the NAC, including its legal struggles to defend the controversial use of peyote.