r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/MelanieWalmartinez • Sep 01 '26

Video Students get smudged by indigenous elders for peace and blessings throughout the year

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u/PotentialWork7741 Sep 01 '26

As a Christian is see this as a act of kindness from a different faith and i see no issue with this. Beautiful, god bless

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u/[deleted] Sep 02 '26

Then you are a proper Christian. There aren’t many of you in America these days, and I accept your input as a caring human being.

I left the church long ago, but I accept these “rights” from other religions because they don’t come with any cost. They do it because they care, not because they accept anything in return.

Just as Jesus wanted. If more people were like you are, I would not have left the church. I LOVE going to church! But the constant judging and stigma have turned me far away from it as a whole.

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u/PotentialWork7741 Sep 02 '26

I agree with you, i left the physical church for the same reasons! Lots of churches these days are built around fear.

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u/siltandsqualor Sep 02 '26

Jesus did not want people to practice smudging. Nowhere in the bible could you possibly make that connection. In fact we are taught quite the opposite, we do not give into actions in which we believe is having a spiritual effect apart from God. Jesus called demons or “unclean spirits” out of people and taught his disciples to go and do the same in the name of God.

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u/querencias Sep 02 '26

I’m a catholic. Jesus never said anything about smudging. You can personally believe that you shouldn’t participate but that’s your opinion and not what Jesus said. The video is on an elder who asked permission from both children and their parents before offering a blessing for peace and wellbeing. Receiving a gesture of goodwill from someone of another faith is not the same thing as worshipping their god anyway. Paul also warns us from judging one another over matters of conscience and disputable practices, and we should pursue peace over condemnation. I would think that we should be able to recognise a kind intention without feeling threatened by it.

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u/[deleted] Sep 02 '26

I never said that he did. But he did teach people to be accepting of others, and of their religions and practices. Jesus did not preach for people to ADOPT their practices, but to be accepting of others no matter their background or intentions.

Jesus himself would have accepted the practice of smudging, because he understood it came from a place of care. He might not believe it himself, but he would allow it because it came from a place of care.

The act of caring for others is rooted in god himself. Jesus would accept them, why can’t you? If Christ himself would accept and love every person as they are, why can’t you?

Jesus came to the world to let every man know that he loved and accepted every single human on this earth. Why can’t you accept them?

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u/siltandsqualor Sep 02 '26

Jesus Christ did not come to affirm us in our sin. He came to SAVE us from it.
We have watered down the gospel so badly that people now confuse love with affirmation. Scripture says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, ESV). That means every single one of us. Christ did not die because mankind was already acceptable before a holy God. He died because we desperately needed a Savior.
Jesus said plainly, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Not one way among many. THE way. There is no spiritual practice, ritual, tradition, spirit, or alternative path that can do what only Jesus Christ can do.
And yes, this matters enough to speak boldly about because Scripture describes a very real spiritual battle: “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).
So no, I will not casually watch the Word of God be twisted to make Christianity compatible with practices Scripture tells us to reject. God warned His people against divination, sorcery, mediums, and seeking spiritual power apart from Him (Deuteronomy 18:10–12). Paul likewise warns against sorcery in Galatians 5:19–21.
If smudging is being practiced with the belief that smoke or a spiritual ritual can drive out unclean spirits or spiritually cleanse something, then I reject that claim completely. Burning a plant is not inherently sinful; placing spiritual faith in a ritual apart from God is the issue. Christ has authority over unclean spirits (Mark 1:27). His name is above every name (Philippians 2:9–11). We do not need another spiritual power. We need Jesus Christ.
Do I hate the people practicing these things? Absolutely not. They are not my enemy. Ephesians 6:12 explicitly says our battle is NOT against flesh and blood. I am commanded to love my neighbor (Matthew 22:39), and part of loving someone is refusing to call darkness light simply because the truth might offend them.
This is not a game. This is not about winning an internet argument. There is a battle for human souls, and Scripture warns us that Satan “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Jesus warned that there is a broad road leading to destruction and a narrow road leading to life (Matthew 7:13–14).
So I will not apologize for saying what Scripture says.
Christ alone saves.
Christ alone is Lord.
Christ alone has authority over darkness.
Christ alone is the way to the Father.
“Choose this day whom you will serve.” — Joshua 24:15

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u/[deleted] Sep 02 '26

[deleted]

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u/PotentialWork7741 Sep 02 '26

I never said anyone should take part in these practices. The woman simply asked politely. I believe that if you truly trust in God and Jesus, you have no reason to fear other spiritual powers. Psalm 91 says you “will not fear… the arrow that flies by day” and that even if “a thousand may fall at your side,” it “will not come near you.” I believe Christ is greater than any other spiritual power.

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u/siltandsqualor Sep 02 '26

Christ is greater than any other spiritual power indeed. There is no refuting that. What I am saying is to be weary of “seeing no issue” with things of this world that display any ritualistic or practice in unclean spirits less it has to do with the power of Christ. I will be praying for you.

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u/PotentialWork7741 Sep 02 '26

I think we’re actually approaching this from very different perspectives. Many Christians practice rituals and traditions that aren’t explicitly taught in the Bible, and there are even Christians who have abused people in the name of Christ. Just because someone labels something as being “from God” doesn’t automatically mean it actually is.

In the same way, someone practicing a ritual of kindness doesn’t automatically mean that it isn’t from God simply because it’s not a Christian practice. The world isn’t always so black and white. We need some cognitive skills and discernment to determine what is actually good and what isn’t.

In the end, God is the source of goodness and kindness, the Bible explicitly teaches that love is from God and that every good and perfect gift comes from above. So in that sense, I believe genuine acts of kindness and goodwill can be a glimpse of God’s love, regardless of who is performing them.

Obviously there are limits, if someone calls something “kindness” while actually harming people or doing something genuinely evil, then we should recognize that for what it is.

And ultimately, I’m not saying I want to participate in these practices. I’m saying I shouldn’t be scared of them. If I genuinely trust in Christ, I believe Christ is greater than any other spiritual power. That’s how I understand the Gospel and passages like Psalm 91. I could walk into a lion’s cave trusting in God, and I believe no lion would be able to harm me if God chooses to protect me. I’m not saying I should deliberately put myself in danger; I’m saying that my faith shouldn’t be based on fear of other spiritual powers.