Skip to content

The Tulsa Beacon

 

Dr. Marcus O. Durham

The abundance of mounds in Oklahoma tells some stories

Tulsa Beacon

[Why our area has its unique political and religious attitudes.] When driving through the countryside, outcrops or small rises with a flattop appear in places contrary to the surrounding terrain. Most of these are undocumented or we have simply lost their history in the last one-hundred years. During prehistory, societies around the world constructed mounds….

Religious tradition and science depend on natural law

Tulsa Beacon

[Why our area has its unique political and religious attitudes.] The question was recently asked, does God violate Laws of Physics when performing miracles? This is one of those fundamental questions that will influence your science, theology, and lifestyle. The answer reflects your worldview. With advanced degrees in both engineering and theology, and as a…

Those who came before us had a deep impact on our lives

Tulsa Beacon

[Why our area has its unique political and religious attitudes.] To most people, the history of Oklahoma and Indian Territory began at the atrocity called the Trail of Tears. As we have seen there was a huge history for the southeastern Indians, before crossing the Mississippi. We recently saw a new western chief, who will…

History is not sequential, but many parallel ventures

Tulsa Beacon

[Why our area has its unique political and religious attitudes.] To most people, the history of Oklahoma and Indian Territory began at the atrocity called the Trail of Tears. We have traced the Cherokee to 1824 in previous columns, which brought the early groups to the location of the original Dwight Mission near Petit Jean…

Radios play a crucial role in dealing with our weather

Tulsa Beacon

[Why our area has its unique political and religious attitudes.] After the most wonderful time of the year and the winter solstice, people familiar with our area begin the preparation and anticipation for spring storms. There is a reason the area has the moniker “Tornado Alley”. This column will take a decidedly contemporary application of…

What were Christmases like in early Indian Territory?

Tulsa Beacon

[Why our area has its particular political and religious attitudes.] Christmas! What other Holy Day creates such feelings of joy, happiness, mirth, merriment, and despair? I am naturally of the ‘feel good’ temperament driven by dopamine, but also see the melancholy side of many. To everyone, the year has been fraught with frustration, apprehension, and…

A community of mission leaders helped bring about peace

Tulsa Beacon

[Why our area has its unique political and religious attitudes.] Among the very first Old Settler Cherokees, who migrated from near Chickamauga, Tennessee, was a distinguished clan who influenced the nation to this day. Talontuskee (Disrupter) was the leader of the tribe after 1817 while they lived near Illinois Bayou and Petit Jean Creek along…