BookTalk.org

Mahree wrote:Why would a black person even consider being a part of any religion? Why are they satisfied with a white God? I don't get it. Why would black people want to be a part of a racist community, yet a racist church? Even though the Mormons changed the rules on race doesn't mean they feel any different about it. They change their minds more often than their holy underwear. They will do anything to get more people into their flawed belief system. If I was religious and black, I would have changed race on the God and his sidekick, long ago. I don't think there is anything in the bible stating color, but then I am not a big bible buff.

My guess on why Christianity resonated so much with the Africans brought to this country in slavery is that the biblical enslavements in Egypt and Babylon hit the mark. What used to be known as Negro spirituals appear to center around Old Testament stories and themes. Right up through the Civil Rights movement of the 60s, the "let my people go" feeling was present, as was the struggle for justice that also had biblical roots. So it was partly a repurposing of the original religion.

I think it goes deeper. I think slavery originated out of a psycological aggression by those enslaved by a God or Gods. These people fear their Gods (their master(s)), in turn enslave another who fears them. One can interpret these holy books however they want–to suit them. I think letting go of a group that has been enslaved in their interpretation of their holy book, leaves them too aware to face their own enslavement. People involved with a God or Gods try to express such great happiness from their beliefs, but how could they be? It's all a facade, and they ultimately live their life in fear of their Master. Oppression has to be released somehow.

i think it was howard zinn where i read about that concept. The poor whites in the US southern states were taught to fear/oppress the slaves as someone who would damage them economically.

It's ironic that the harder I try to distance myself from comprehending "why" people choose the direction of a God or Gods, the more I'm forced to find compassion and understanding. I have spent all my life completely happy alone with my beliefs (or disbeliefs, whatever it's considered). I didn't know I had a name or category (atheist) until someone labeled me as a Wiccan. My response was, "What the hell are you talking about?" I'm a loner, always have been. Then I ended up in an Anthropology class on religion. Then I read "The Mormon's" and now, crazy as it seems, I have been asked by a family to write their story about their life in a cult for 13 years. Why in the world would a family of seven trust an "Atheist" if I am that, with their life. We are on total opposite sides of the spectrum, I may even be off the scale. I take people's lives very seriously and in order to write this story, I must understand, completely, how they feel about a God. This is not about my feelings or my life, so great care must be taken to express the sincerety and dedication they have. I could write it no other way, because I respect their life as they chose to life it. Life is interesting, that's all I can say. I could say "no" but they asked me and trust me with their life. Go figure.

wow! I hope you get a lot from the experience!

Lol, I tell you, it is an interesting story. The cult was alive along with Jones (People's Temple), Moonies, Children of God and still going today, barely, just got raided in Germany last month. Definitely a challenge for me, since I bash anything remotely related to religion. Good training–I'm learning to keep my mouth shut and listen. I hope my book after this one isn't interviewing the tea party, I'll slit my wrist.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world ... 07438.html

Yeee-ouch! Sounds like a fascinating project - please keep us informed!