The Rochester group [of VOTF], however, was met with some concern as they found it hard to believe my account as it unfolded before them. I feel that some people have a hard time with the truths around us, not only the sexual abuse by priests, but all bad things. I call it chosen ignorance. This modified form of ignorance is found in people who, if confronted with certain truths realize that they have to accept them and thereby acknowledge evil, and that scares them. Opening up and letting the truth in might knock them off their perceived center. It is too hard, period."(VOTF - Voice of the Faithful - a Catholic group that wants to change the Church, keep the faith.)
In a short time a group of commissioners arrived to begin organization of a new Indian agency in the valley. One of them mentioned the advantages of schools for Joseph__ people. Joseph replied that the Nez Percés did not want the white man__ schools. __hy do you not want schools?_ the commissioner asked. __hey will teach us to have churches,_ Joseph answered. __o you not want churches?_ __o, we do not want churches._ __hy do you not want churches?_ __hey will teach us to quarrel about God,_ Joseph said. __e do not want to learn that. We may quarrel with men sometimes about things on this earth, but we never quarrel about God. We do not want to learn that.
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West
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In a short time a group of commissioners arrived to begin organization of a new Indian agency in the valley. One of them mentioned the advantages of schools for Joseph__ people. Joseph replied that the Nez Percés did not want the white man__ schools. __hy do you not want schools?_ the commissioner asked. __hey will teach us to have churches,_ Joseph answered. __o you not want churches?_ __o, we do not want churches._ __hy do you not want churches?_ __hey will teach us to quarrel about God,_ Joseph said. __e do not want to learn that. We may quarrel with men sometimes about things on this earth, but we never quarrel about God. We do not want to learn that.
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