This isn't a racist question - it's merely a way of looking at it. We know the slaves from Africa had their own tribal religions - then they were captured and brought to America for use as slaves. They were also converted to Christianity years later. Why would the African slaves believe the religion of these "White Devils"?
2006-06-10 05:07:42 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Many regions of Africa had "tribal religions" that still exist today in Vodun religion IN the US. Also, some parts of Africa - specifically Ethopia - were ALREADY mostly Christian AND had been Christian since the First Century.
Yes, some Africans or their children did convert: given their circumstances it was better to "play along" with their Owners religion and within a few generations this "playing" became reality.
2006-06-10 05:13:55 · answer #1 · answered by shovelbum_mud_lover 4 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Some of the stuff here is good.
Tribal customs varied in Africa, so there wasn't one "belief" system in place.
Mass communication did not exist as we know it today, so the slave population as a whole could not communicate with itself -- you merely knew the people you worked with daily.
Christianity was also forced on them (at first) as a means of control, falsely used to justify slavery.
However, I'm surprised at the majority of cynical viewpoints being expressed. There's always more than one way to look at something, and often the "right answer" is a mixture of good and bad.
Yes, the slaves might have been "indoctrinated" or put in a situation where their normal culture (religion, language, and the like) was stripped from them. But it's sort of demeaning to blacks to assume that they were all victims, forced against their will to continually worship a religion they loathed.
The truth seems to be that the black slave population took the Christian faith forced on them and instead made it their own, in the semblence of some type of liberation theology and in the process turning a tool aimed against them into a tool that benefited them.
Also, it wasn't a false hope to them that one day God would liberate them; it seems that they sincerely believed it. They infused their Christian faith with the vitality and spirit of their people.
(Man, I look at "whitebread" Christianity today and as far as joy, exuberance, and just pure passion, they are NOTHING compared to a church infused with "black spirit" -- and it's the same spirit that gave them the power to draw together and endure the horrible living conditions of slavery. To suggest their faith remained merely a shackle forced on them is ludicruous; I wish more people had the fervent belief and hope expressed in those songs. They really believed.)
Anyway, if you want a summary, (1) it was forced on them first as a method of control and because it was the "right" thing to do in the slaveowner's thinking, (2) they embraced it and turned the faith on its head, as a "subversive" activity, and (3) they eventually found real value in the faith and a fervent hope that God would free them and otherwise help them endure. Since that same spirit still seems to be present in the black population today, I'd give a lot of credibility to the authenticity of their faith.
2006-06-10 14:32:01 · answer #2 · answered by Jennywocky 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a lot of them didnt. they were aware of the hypocricy of church going slave owners.
also they split up the Africans who spoke the same langauge so within a generation a large portion of their various religions were gone. its important to know that africans dont have a unified belief system. its different from tribe to tribe and so even if they could have spoken the same language they would have not had the same religious views.
It was the mistress (slave owners wife) who taught the slaves Christianity. Now even though the slaves adopted Christianity they did incorporate some African aspects into it and even today it still lingers with some black folks giving themselves titles like "prophet".
The basic simple answer though is that they split them up so they couldnt speak the same language. The new born children were taught English and Christianity. and within a generation you have assimilated and enslaved an entire culture.
2006-06-10 12:22:32 · answer #3 · answered by sean_mchugh6 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ive asked myself that many, many times. how could they believe a religion forced on them? i guess, it came with the territory. the africans religion, beliefs and rituals were believed to be barbaric by the white man. thus, they were converted. christianity was believed to be a civilized mans religion? it was used as a dumbing down cooporative, to keep the slaves ignorant of themselves, and their beliefs. telling the slaves, they would go to heaven if they worshipped a white god, and, were kind to their enemies, would keep them docile, maliable, and in fear. for if they werent, they would be eternally damned. for a slave, being damned, was far worse than being in captivity. so they endured. there is no reason, in this day and age, for the slaves decendants to hold these lies dear. but hey! tradition, and no knowelege of ones self keeps most decendants ignorant.
2006-06-10 12:56:36 · answer #4 · answered by overworkedpostal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the exact same reason the "white devils' are Christians. Their ancestors were forced to adopt it or be killed. Which only left those who adopted it.
It isn't unique to Africans, Christianity was forced on the majority of people at the point of a sword.
2006-06-10 12:17:21 · answer #5 · answered by Left the building 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People believe whatever is drummed into their heads at an early age. The slaves believed that Jesus would deliver them from slavery. Listen to the old ***** Spirituals and you will hear that message.
2006-06-10 12:11:44 · answer #6 · answered by notyou311 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question and I couldn't tell you exactly why, but probably has to do with the fact that they mostly assimilated into US culture once they were here and especially after they were freed. It is possible, especially with succeeding generations, that the change is accepted and embraced.
People switch faiths all the time.
2006-06-10 12:11:56 · answer #7 · answered by obviously_you'renotagolfer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are more black people who believe in the Lord now and have marvelous faith than the so called "white devils" you speak of. You are just trying to stir up trouble with this question.
2006-06-10 12:11:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Judge not, for you not why the slaves were freed, for men do not live in die in vain, and it just might not be coinkidink that the movie: war of the worlds, had a crappy ending, while the bible has a really kick *** ending
2006-06-10 12:13:16 · answer #9 · answered by gekim784l 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If one is of those who were chosen by Christ BEFORE the foundation of the world (Eph.1:4 below), they will be drawn by God the Father to Jesus (Jn.6:44 below) in God’s time, people from every nation, kindred, tongue and people .
Eph.1:4According as he (Christ) hath CHOSEN US in him BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD (Eph.3:9, Jn.17:5), that we should be holy and without blame (Col.1:22, 2 Cor.11:2) before him in love.
Jn.6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.
Pat (ndbpsa ©)
2006-06-10 21:27:41 · answer #10 · answered by BibleProphecyOnTheWeb 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋