Red Jacket...
"A Seneca Chief's Understanding of Religion"

"The Seneca chief Red Jacket (c. 1758- 1830) acquired his name during the Revolutionary War, he fought for the British "redcoats." Reconciling himself to American rule, he joined an Indian delegation that met George Washington. He rejected Christianity, however, and in 1805 he explained why to a group of Missionaries, whom he addresses as "Brother."

"Brother: Continue to listen. You say that you are sent to instruct us how to worship the Great Spirit agreeably to His mind; and, if we do not take hold if the religion which you white people teach, we shall be unhappy hereafter. You say that you are right, and we are lost. How do we know this to be true? We understand that your religion is written in a book. If it was intended for us as well as you, why has not the Great Spirit given to us, and not only to us, but why did He not give to our forefathers, the knowledge of the book, with the means of understanding it rightly?

Brother: The Great Spirit has made us all, but he has made a great difference between His white and red children. He has given us different complexions and different customs. To you He has given the arts [i.e., manufacturing]. To these He has not opened our eyes. We know these things to be true. Since He has made a great difference between us in other things, why may we not conclude that He has given to us different religion according to our understanding? The Great Spirit does right. He knows what is best for his children; we are satisfied. "
(From History Book)