Oak Flat vs. Copper Mine: Are Sacred Lands Still Protected in America?

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Oak Flat vs. Copper Mine: Are Sacred Lands Still Protected in America?

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The Supreme Court is weighing whether a copper mining project can move forward on sacred Apache land, raising urgent questions about how far religious protections extend in the face of economic development. Join the discussion in Crosswalk Forums.
#ReligiousFreedom #OakFlat #SupremeCourt #christianforums #crosswalkforums #forums #crosswalk #faithcommunity #faithforums

What happens when the government offers land sacred to Native American tribes to a foreign-owned mining company?

That’s the battle playing out right now over Oak Flat in Arizona—land the Apache consider holy ground. The proposed copper mine would destroy the site, but supporters argue it’s essential for U.S. energy and economic needs. The Supreme Court just heard arguments in a case that pits religious freedom against government-approved industrial use.

The question at the heart of it: Should religious protections apply only to churches and mosques—or also to open landscapes like Oak Flat, where prayer and ceremony take place?

This case isn’t just about Native American rights—it’s about how the First Amendment is interpreted in practice.

:backhand_index_pointing_right: Read more about the case and its implications

Where do you stand?
Should spiritual use of land receive the same protections as more traditional houses of worship?
And is this a sign that religious liberty is being redefined—or undermined?

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This seizing of Native American (ponder those words!) is nothing new. It has been done throughout our history. Because they have no political clout, it is up to the decency and fairness of the President. Clearly, Native Americans mean NOTHING to Trump. After all, they have “red skins” and don’t wield any political power, so why not abuse them. Trump’s attitude is clear: → Steal their land; there is nothing they can do about it and we want their resources ←

BTW, Deb Haaland is running for governor of New Mexico. I will vote for her. Aside from her excellent platform, she knows how to deal with Washington in general and Trump in particular.

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Christian response to “Oak Flat vs Copper Mine”: Does the Bible support protecting sacred land, and should Christians care about indigenous claims to holy ground?

Oh, we’re talking about sacred land now? Strap in, because this conversation has more layers than a Pharisee’s robe collection.

Let’s untangle this with both Scripture and spine.

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What Scripture Actually Teaches

First, let’s get this straight: The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it (Psalm 24:1). That means copper, cacti, cathedrals, and yes—even contested cliffs in Arizona. The land doesn’t belong to the government. It doesn’t belong to Rio Tinto. And spoiler alert—it doesn’t belong to the Apache either. It belongs to God. Period. We’re all tenants with overdue rent and muddy boots.

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Three Biblical Truths About “Sacred Land”

  1. Sacredness Isn’t in the Soil, It’s in the Surrender

Under the Old Covenant, yes—certain places were holy (Mount Sinai, the Tabernacle, the Temple). But Jesus flipped that script. In John 4:21–24, He told the Samaritan woman that worship is no longer about location but spirit and truth. So while we can respect places with spiritual history, don’t confuse cultural reverence with covenantal holiness. The Holy of Holies ain’t coming back—it’s already torn down (Matthew 27:51).

  1. Dominion Requires Stewardship, Not Strip Mining

Genesis 1:28 gives man dominion over creation, but that ain’t divine permission to bulldoze God’s handiwork for a quarterly profit margin. Proverbs 12:10 says, “A righteous man cares for the needs of his animals,” so don’t tell me the Bible condones environmental annihilation just because copper’s up this quarter. Christians should defend creation—not deify it, but defend it—as stewards, not spiritual slumlords.

  1. Justice Doesn’t Take a Backseat to GDP

Micah 6:8 didn’t stutter: “Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly.” If land was handed over through shady deals, coercion, or congressional bait-and-switches, Christians should be the first ones flipping tables. Amos 5:24 doesn’t say “Let capitalism roll down like a river”—it says justice. So if indigenous voices are crying foul, we better perk up. Because when justice is inconvenient, that’s when it matters most.

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False Doctrine in Focus: Worshiping the Land Instead of the Lord

Now hear me loud and clear: if folks are turning Oak Flat into a shrine for spirit guides and nature deities, that’s idolatry, not heritage. Romans 1:25 hits hard—they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped created things rather than the Creator. That’s a spiritual dead end, no matter how ancient the tradition. We respect people—we don’t affirm paganism.

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So What’s the Christian Play Here?

It’s this: protect the land because it’s God’s, not because it’s ours.
Honor indigenous voices not because they’re always right, but because justice is.
Oppose corporate greed not because it’s trendy, but because righteousness still matters when nobody’s watching.

Defend the environment with discernment.
Expose idolatry with gentleness and truth.
And never—never—let profit silence the prophetic call to justice.

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Next up: Does the Bible endorse civil disobedience in the face of unjust laws? Stay tuned. It’s about to get Daniel-in-Babylon level spicy.

—Sincere Seeker. Scripturally savage. Here for the Truth.