Is religion, specifically Christianity, helpful or harmful to Black people? Where I live, in Charlotte, NC, just asking that question will cause people to accuse me of being an atheist. In fact, I have been called an atheist many times. I consider myself to be an agnostic, though. An agnostic is defined by MerriamWebster.com as " a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (as God) is unknown and probably unknowable; broadly : one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god."Here, briefly, is why I can't just have faith (a firm belief in something for which there is no proof) that there is a God. I really need some tangible evidence. If God exists and he is omnipotent and merciful and created all of us in his image, I need for someone to explain to me why Blacks the world over suffer in disproportionate numbers compared to all other races.
- Why do my brothers and sisters in Africa suffer from AIDS, famine, drought, and exploitation in increasingly alarming numbers?
- Why do Blacks in America have household incomes, on average, that are a fifth of the average household income of white families?
Now, I know that some people, especially racist white people and perhaps ultra conservative Republican Black people, will say that Black people don't work hard enough or smart enough. They will say that we should pull ourselves up by our boot straps and argue that if some Blacks succeed, then all can succeed. And there may be a shard of truth in that assertion for many Black people. But I have another opinion.
Perhaps if our take on God and religion was a little different, we wouldn't make rationalizations that hold us back from meeting our full potential. Maybe if many (not all, mind you) of our ministers stopped telling their congregations things like "when the rent is due and you don't have any money, God will take care of it", we might not be in such bad shape financially because we would understand that money doesn't drop from the sky and having the occasional good fortune of finding or earning a little extra money isn't a "blessing from God" but some good luck or the result of actually earning that money.
Maybe if we stop using God as a crutch and following the style of Christianity introduced to us by our original oppressor - the slave master/owner - we might make some real progress. Because the slave master was of the opinion that there were passages in the Bible that justified slavery. And at the same time he made this justification, he would not allow the slaves to practice the religion brought from Africa or there would be severe consequences to pay, from being whipped or having families separated or even death. And over time, through the complications and dynamics that occurred during slavery, we adopted the version(s) of Christianity we have today.
Many of us (not all by any means) seem to take complete solace in religion because we have been taught to do so. And I think that is a mistake. Simply accepting a philosophy at face value because your parents and grandparents practiced that philosophy isn't sufficient reason to buy into that philosophy without thinking about what you are practicing.
I am not saying God doesn't exist: I am saying I can't be sure.
I don't see how anyone can be sure ... but that's a personal issue. My big issues with religion and Black people is this: don't just go to church and pray to God because that's what someone else does and you are afraid you'll go to hell if you don't. Don't assume that because you go to church on Sundays you are somehow morally superior to those who don't. And please, if you are religious and you want to engage me in a discussion about God, stop getting overly emotional and offended when your philosophy is challenged. Educate yourself and be able to have a logical conversation. Be proactive with your life and don't wait on God to take care of you. If you ask for his assistance along the way because that gives you more confidence, great. But do some of the work yourself, too, whether your goal is earning more money, finding some peace of mind, or losing weight.
One other thing: George W. Bush campaigned for and won the Presidency by calling himself a "Christian." He doesn't act like any version of a Christian I have read about. I guess there are many versions, though. So be careful how you label yourself.
Sincerely,
Cabong
12 comments:
Cabong,
I believe you are right to question whether religion(specifically Christianity) is harmful to blacks. I am a black christian man and a friend of your cohort H and believe that religion is harmful to blacks. Simply following traditions and liturgy to avoid going to hell is not a good thing. Becoming a christian for the 'insurance policy' (as one friend of mine phrases it) is not a great advertisment for those who call themselves followers of Christ.
You are also correct in your assertion that there are many versions of christians from man's perspective. A christian who looks and acts no different from the rest of the world should be questioned. I do want to point out that christianity is not about religion but about relationship. It is about a personal relationship (you and God) to a God you cannot see that becomes visible in the relationships with people you can see (a christian from God's perspective).
Let me give you two sets scripture to point you to where I'm going.
Mark 12 (New International Version)
28One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
29"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'31The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'There is no commandment greater than these."
1 John 4 (New International Version)
20If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
The gist is this if you are truly in a growing developing relationship with God then it shows up in how you move through this world. If you truly understand the love God has for each and everyone of us then as your understanding grows so does the maturity of your actions. Being a good christian resembles being a maturing human being. You advance and make mistakes along the way and are never perfect though you don't stop reaching for perfection. Perfection for the christian comes in living a life that resembles Christ's.
http://www.carolwimmer.com/thePoem.cfm
To address your concern how can God allow blacks to be so maligned in this world now and throughout history? I have a few thoughts but no concrete answers for you.
This is one of many verses that stays with me (the last half of the verse).
Luke 12 (New International Version)
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
I believe black people along with Jewish people have been entrusted with much by God. Both people have suffered greatly throughout history. I can only say that I believe God expects much of us. Jesus suffered much for the atonement of each of our sins. I believe we suffer much because we have a great capacity to rise above oppression and show the love God desires to be in the world.
In another of the posts on your blog it talks about when will things change as far as racism? I believe they change when we walk like Dr. King envisioned we would. When we stand up and demand excellence from ourselves and show love to everyone.
Matthew 5 (New International Version)
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
I can't buy into Christianity (or any other religion for that matter) for one reason:
These organizations prey on our fear of death. They're selling wolf tickets!
A priest, a preacher, a pastor, even a buddhist monk will tell you if you live your life by a set of rules listed in the Bible or the Qur'an you will go to heaven when you die. Disobeying these rules results in a one-way ticket to hell (I've been condemned there MANY times). However, no one takes a moment to ponder the fact that priests, preachers, pastors, and even buddhist monks are all living, breathing creatures. Certainly, someone breathing the same air as me cannot tell me what will happen when I die, if they are still living as well. Why do we buy into these sermons about Heaven and Hell, and there is no evidence that either place exists? Are we so desperate to know what will happen when we die that we willingly latch on to ANY story about afterlife? Working so hard to get into heaven prevents us from experiencing life while we are living!
Why do we follow the word of the Bible so closely-taking this literature as words directly from God's mouth? Hello, the version of the Bible available in virutally every English-speaking church was revised by King James back in his day. These were supposedly God's words, yet we are to believe a version of the Bible edited by a self-absorbed king? Furthermore, the Bible is too open to interpretation. I think if God had actually written a book, he'd be much more specific. And why is there just one book? I'd think God would have plenty more to say, especially because times have changed drastically since the Bible was written (or revised).
I can go on all day about why religion is not for me. However, in parting, I will say, my lack of participation with anything religious makes my life easier. When I die, I'll be dead-going to church will not make this fact easier for me to bear. In the meantime, I don't believe in Hell, so I can live my life to the fullest. Plus, I get to sleep in on Sundays. =)
Excellent commentary MOG! I can honestly say that I have seen the change and maturation in you as a person over the many years we have known one another. If that is your idea of living as a christian, then I believe you are indeed achieving your objective.
Your position, which is well stated and one that I don't take issue with, is based on relationship and treating all with respect in the name of religion and maintaining a good relationship with God.
Why then have soooo many people been killed, tortured, and mistreated all in the name of religion?
Thanks for your comments MOG. We look forward to a full and robust dialogue.
H
H. I appreciate your kinds words and that you see my walk bears witness to my talk.
As to your question why are people killed, tortured, and mistreated in the name of religion? The simple answer is because they are people. Men find whatever cover they can to justify the things they do. This was evident during biblical times and is clearly evident today. Let me explain it with a story.
There was a young christian named
Jakov who ran into an old man in this town. Jakov began to speak to the old man about christians and Jesus. The old man said I know you christians. You are the ones that wear the fancy robes and go around taking the best things. The old man told Jakov it was christians that killed his nephew.
Jakov told the old man a story. He said what if someone broke into your house and stole your cloak. What if this same person then went and broke into another house and as he was getting away the only evidence the authorities had as to who he was was the cloak he was wearing. So the authorities then come to your house. What would you tell them? The old man said he'd say it wasn't him. Jakov said but would that convince them since they recognized your cloak? The old man became irriated. He told Jakov that he didn't want to hear anything more about christians.
Well everytime Jakov came to town he would come by and continue to say hello to the old man. Finally one day the old man said he wanted to hear more about Jesus and christianity. He asked Jakov how to become a christian. After Jakov explained the old man got down on his knees and prayed. As he prayed he looked up to heaven and said about Jakov you wear his (being Jesus) clothes well.
Your blog has modern day examples of men who wear Jesus' clothes well in the form of the two Superbowl coaches. They are both christian men who are at the top of their profession. Dungy especially lives his faith. It was evident in how he handled tragedy last year with the suicide of his son. His relationship with God shows in how his family, friends, team members, and community react to him.
The bottom line is folks jack the clothes of religion to do the dirt they do. If it wasn't religion they'd jack some other cover to make the dirt they do more palatable to themselves and others.
Thembi do you care to share what you base your moral compass on? How do you classify yourself; atheist, agnostic, secular humanist, freethinker, etc...?
Who do you read (Sam Harris, Ricard Dawkins, etc...two of the more popular secular proponents) They have their own web sites as well as have written a few books. There are additional articles by Sam & Richard on beliefnet if you aren't already familiar.
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/178/story_17889_1.html
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/191/story_19107_1.html
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/144/story_14451_1.html
Mog, I simply try to live my life the best way I know how. It's live and let live for me. I try to imitate the behaviors and actions of my mother, who is wonderful and well-rounded, and if I DID believe in Heaven, I know she'd be going there.
As far as my classification, I would put myself in several categories (is that possible?). Mostly, I am an agnostic. I don't follow any particular religion, and I don't want to. To me, various religious sects all say the same thing. Do this, and you will get into Heaven-don't do this, and you know the other option. We as humans are scared of death, and I think ultimately, religion, with its rules and regulations, allays our fears of the unknown. It's too easy! "If I behave this way, I'll get into Heaven?!? Why not?!?" However, for me, I need more proof. I'm not buying into something because the Bible says so (it's SO OUTDATED!). Where are the tests, facts, and figures?
I don't read about this subject. What I say, and what I believe are things that I have learned firsthand, or have figured out on my own. I'm sorry if this is a disappointment-I suppose I could be stronger in my beliefs if I had corresponding information to back me up. On the other hand, I like my views. They make sense to me, and I guess that's all that really matters.
Thembi,
You say "It's live and let live for me." Do you believe you have a responsibility to humanity as a whole? Do you believe your actions affect others and theirs affects you? If you are affected adversely by society or you affect society adversely how does the situation get resolved?
It's easy to like our own views in a vacuum unchallenged. However, when we believe that through time no one else has thought the things we do and faced the challenges I have. We set ourselves up for
failure. Reading the journeys of others who traveled the road we find ourselves on and may be further down the road only enhances our experience. Even reading the journeys of those who have views foreign to ours adds to our experience. It forces us to truly think through what we believe and why. First hand knowledge is great but it takes too long to attain and we never experience everything in our own personal journey.
You accept the secondhand knowledge of your mother and have augmented her experiences (advice) to your own. If you feel strongly enough to post your opinion on the internet for anyone to see. Why do you not feel it not worth your time to expand your knowledge and experience in the areas of life that interest you?
Have you experienced organized religion as an adult? Have you tried to see what christianity is about? Or you writing it and God off based on the understanding of child or adolescent? If you've experienced it as a adult and found it wanting that's one thing. Attacking something you've never experienced is like saying I don't like spinach. When someone says have you ever tried it, you then say no but I know I won't like it.
See, something TOLD me not to post a blog! Geez...
No, I don't believe I have a responsibility to humanity.
I believe SOME of my actions affect others and vice versa.
I try not to adversely affect society, and when the reverse happens, I try my best to find a resolution.
I have been to church as an adult. A wise man once said "If I don't like it, I don't like it. That don't mean that I'm hatin'" (this wise man is the rapper, Common). I find church boring and a waste of a Sunday morning. At any rate, religion, church, all that stuff isn't for me. I don't attack people that go to church...I say good for them.
So, I never understand why I have to thoroughly EXPLAIN why I don't need that element in my life.
Thembi,
Come on. You come with an opening comment of "I can't buy into Christianity (or any other religion for that matter) for one reason:
These organizations prey on our fear of death. They're selling wolf tickets!"
And then say you can't understand why you need to explain. You're being a bit disingenuous aren't you?
By the way Thembi I'm not attacking you. I'm trying to understand where you're coming from. Beliefs that can't stand scrutiny may not be worth having or sharing. It may seem sound in your head but you should also be able to explain it when asked.
Mog,
I ALREADY explained why I felt that way. How many ways would you like me to expand on my opinion?
I guess I am defensive-my general mode of communication would dictate me asking why you care so much or if you think you're going to get into heaven by recruiting Christians...but I am not there today.
I posted something, thinking no one would care, and now I have to keep reposting, and reposting, because some CHRISTIAN wants to have a discourse about it.
We are NEVER going to agree. I would rather discuss something that can actually be proven, or talk about something that can actually HELP me. Because I look at it like this...
We are all born, we all live, and we all die. No belief system in the WORLD will change that.
Nuff said (and I MEAN that).
Ding, ding, ding (The sound of a bell). Okay, combatants, break and go to a neutral corner. You both have valid points and you both have the right to feel as you do. I hope you continue to read and comment on the blog as new subjects arise. Religion is a taboo subject traditionally but we no longer treat it that way. As you can see from your own comments, the emotions aroused by religion have started wars, justified slavery, made rationalizations for women being treated inferior to men and many other actions, some good, many bad. The beauty is that we can discuss and debate this issue in a free flowing environment. We will have a new and hopefully valuable topic on the site ASAP. Keep vieweing it daily and please post your thoughts.
Peace,
Cabong
Cabong,
You raise some valid points and questions regarding Christianity and African Americans.
It seems that Christianity has a unique impact on blacks because of our history. Our faith has played a major role in us overcoming many obstacles and giving us hope to believe that the best is yet come. It has empowered our ancestors to believe God has plans for us and we have a purpose to fulfill. Yet Christianity has also hindered us. We expect to sit back and let God do the work; to make all the decisions and not face any consequences for our choices and actions. We don’t investigate or seek God for ourselves. I am Christian women, who firmly believe in God with all my heart which has allowed me to develop a personal relationship Christ where I seek Him for guidance and wisdom. However, the choices I make affect my life and those around me. Christianity does not exempt any one from pain, death, diseases or many of the fatalities that comes with life. And perfection does not exist with being a Christian. One thing that is often forgotten, this that people are people. There is no manual on how to be a “decent human being”, how to respect others, how not to be ignorant and Christianity does not guarantee the changing of ones mind set. However, Christianity challenges us to examine our morals, character, and consciousness with the Bible as a guide. Again, the choice is up to the individual to make decisions that will have a positive impact on themselves, their family, their community and society. This is not about a set of religious man made rules that keeps people down never being able to live up to their potential and fulfilling their purpose. This is about a personal relationship that you have with God who you seek for guidance and wisdom alone.
Many people use Christianity to massacre their insecurities, which places people in bondage. Therefore, they are not empowered to find truth for themselves. We see this everyday through our churches, media, community and society as a whole. God is not the cause of our destructions, it is us; it our greed, selfishness and hatred, God has empowered us through his word and what He expects is for us to renew our minds (Romans 8), and as a result we begin to make different choices that will passed down to generations. A small change of the mind set has enormous power.
I don’t have a direct answers to the two questions you poses; however, I challenge you consider that maybe your questions may not have anything to do with God but has everything to do with the lack of responsibility of people helping one another. We tend to sit back and be in judgment of others, yet when it comes to working in the community to bring change, not many of us show up. (speaking from personal experiences) we fail to stress the importance of our history which empowers us to set high standards and not except those set by someone else. With that said, I place our plight on humanity and not Christianity. People have free will.
PS Good job on blog Cabong & H man.
Knowledge is power and food for the brain.
Post a Comment