Matthew Schoeman: Wow, great job! Your post is the only one I've read that I actually can truthfully say I agree with. I definetely think that the ridiculous amount of reservation funding needs to end. Far from doing Aboriginal people any good, government handouts are helping to perpetuate the "lazy Indian," which, though perhaps a steroptype, is one that is quite accurate. Just step onto a reserve and any doubts on that score should vanish. A family friend who is a doctor in a rural community with a heavy Native population regularly visits the landfill to reclaim medical equipment (wheelchairs, etc.), which, though in near perfect condition, was thrown away since the Native owners could get a slightly better, upgraded version free. As well,
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"ruined" their traditions and lifestyles." I take it due to the quotation marks surrounding ruined, that you meant this sarcastically, but it isn't entirely clear. If you did indeed mean it sarcastically, I completely agree with you. A barbaric culture that is completely in rebellion against the one true God, practices cannabalism and human sacrifice,etc, in many instances, needs to be supressed. Such a wicked way of life needs to be abolished, in accordance with God's, and any righteous government's, laws. You also refer to Aboriginal people as the "injured party." This is no doubt correct, but the fact that injuries occurred on both sides needs to be considered. I referred to this in my initial post, using Jean de Brébeuf as an example, who had "the nails torn from his fingers, boiling water poured over his body, his tongue and lips cut off, was burnt and scalped alive, and had his flesh and blood eaten in front of his eyes" by the Iroquois. If Native people need to get renumeration for injustices committed, certainly the descendants of de Brébeuf ought to have compensation given to them by the Natives as well. One last comment/suggestion is that I would always recommend that you include Scripture texts as part of your arguments. The word of God should always be the basis for our beliefs, and though I can see that God's word has shaped your opinions, it's always good to directly refer to
"ruined" their traditions and lifestyles." I take it due to the quotation marks surrounding ruined, that you meant this sarcastically, but it isn't entirely clear. If you did indeed mean it sarcastically, I completely agree with you. A barbaric culture that is completely in rebellion against the one true God, practices cannabalism and human sacrifice,etc, in many instances, needs to be supressed. Such a wicked way of life needs to be abolished, in accordance with God's, and any righteous government's, laws. You also refer to Aboriginal people as the "injured party." This is no doubt correct, but the fact that injuries occurred on both sides needs to be considered. I referred to this in my initial post, using Jean de Brébeuf as an example, who had "the nails torn from his fingers, boiling water poured over his body, his tongue and lips cut off, was burnt and scalped alive, and had his flesh and blood eaten in front of his eyes" by the Iroquois. If Native people need to get renumeration for injustices committed, certainly the descendants of de Brébeuf ought to have compensation given to them by the Natives as well. One last comment/suggestion is that I would always recommend that you include Scripture texts as part of your arguments. The word of God should always be the basis for our beliefs, and though I can see that God's word has shaped your opinions, it's always good to directly refer to