Thursday, January 25, 2007

Theism in the Black Community

One of the most insidious eras of American and perhaps human history was undoubtedly the history of slavery. But an often overlooked outcome for the greater black community was the propagation of religious belief forcibly placed on hundreds of thousands of African slaves by their former "masters."

The result is evident. The black community now seems locked in the shackles of religious belief whether it be in a vague hope in Jesus or a militant distortion of Islam. This faith in a "God" seems less for their own edification and more for their survival as a people as they search for answers to their history of oppression and fear and blatantly destroys any semblance of personal power within their inner communities.

Why is this negative? Why can't a faith in God allow for a group of people to rise above their differences and allow for greater success for millions of African Americans? Two reasons: One, theism takes personal success and creates a mystical alternative of faith and reward; and Two, theism creates a level of entitlement.

But many Black leaders site their religious belief as giving them strength, you'll say. I would argue their strength was in their intellect, not in a deity. Theism and Faith now have become pillars in the African American community and rarely allow for dissent from a vague religiosity that permeates the core of their community.

With a cultural heritage that is so rife with struggle it is no wonder that a belief in an all loving God has been seen as an easy way to cope with that struggle. But I would argue that it is to the peril of a community that lacks dialogue on the most basic of human beliefs; self reliance.

BqTM

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