Blog 2

I find the differences between Timothy Treadwell's fascination with bears and Native American religions/cave painting very interesting.
Many Native American religions involve animals in some way. There is a certain amount of respect for and connection with animals, somewhat like what Timothy Treadwell had. However, unlike Mr. Treadwell, Native Americans who practiced these religions (from what I understand) still viewed themselves as separate from nature and from animals. Sometimes animals were a source of food and there was always a sense of respect and gratitude toward them. In some religions, I believe, people would try to exhibit characteristics of various animals, such as bravery, strength, intelligence, etc. However, there doesn't seem to be the same desire to actually become the animal like Timothy Treadwell did with the grizzly bears. While Native American religions held a certain respect and reverence for nature and for animals, it seems that Mr. Treadwell took this respect a step further in his devotion to the grizzly bears.
Similarly, the cave paintings we discussed in class do not depict humans and animals as equals (like Mr. Treadwell seemed to view them). The only scene to contain a human is one that depicts hunting and the human being attacked by the bison. This shows the relationship between humans and animals as well as a respect for the power and strength of the animals. It does not depict humans and animals as equals.
Timothy Treadwell seemed to have a view of animals and their relationship with people that few others share. The boundary that the rest of us have did not exist for him. Even Native Americans, whose religions often showed a definite connection with nature, have this boundary that Mr. Treadwell seemed to lack.