How many African slaves were Christians before they were kidnapped and sent to American plantations?

Answer 1

As a historian, I have to say that the number was much greater than zero. Until the Muslims invaded Northern Africa, much of civilized Africa was Christian for centuries. Pockets of Christian believers survived, in some places and times openly when tolerant leaders ruled. Also, before the slave trade began, many Christian merchants and missionaries visited Africa, and it would be obtuse to assume that they did not convert some Africans.

That said, it was very few. In general the African continent was populated by Muslims and aboriginals with their own beliefs. The Christianity that is associated with the African-American culture grew out of the plantations, and has little to do with Africa.

Answer 2

None. One day I asked a black friend why did the slaves allow their white "masters" to brainwash them into adopting the Christian religion instead of holding on to their original religion...which I have to assume was more earth based kind of like the Native Americans. She said that part of the reason was that most of the white slave owners would not allow them to learn to read, so they had to take the word of the whites in regard to what the bible said, and it was also a punishable offense for the slaves to be caught practicing their own religion. So, the
Africans basically had to let their own beliefs die out and over time become forgotten.

Answer 3

And your point is???? Have you not heard that two wrongs do not make something right? Jonny, suppose someone kidnapped you and made you a slave. Would it be right?

Better yet...how many of those that still do not know the Lord have you gone to tell them about HIM? Maybe you can start in the jungles of South America or other remote areas.

Wait...I have scanned several of your questions and your answers and you do not even talk positively about GOD here let alone in a remote jungle. You have even stated that you liked your cousin better when he was a dope addict then you do now that he proclaims Jesus Christ. Real support there Jonny.

Answer 4

I'm an atheist but you've got a very mixed up idea about the link between christianity and slavery. Christianity was not forced on slaves, they adopted it themselves despite that whites hated them adopting their religion. Slaves adopted christianity as a form of empowering themselves and probably to give themselves something to live for. To me, that slaves relied heavily on religion is entirely understandable and its not surprising that christianity is still so important to many black Americans. Also the abolitionist movement was started and led by religious politicians in England. However the Christianity that Black slaves adopted was quite different from the Christianity of Whites. Their christianity was about empowerment and equality and later on it played an important part in the Civil rights movement in 1960's. White Christianity tended to emphasize conservative values and maintaining the status quo. So the two forms of Christianity Blacks and Whites adopted were worlds apart because both used it for their own ends.

Answer 5

I don't think we can really know that. But when our Navy ships dock in certain parts of Africa the local population doesn't like the American Blacks because they were slaves. Also Slavery in Africa has always been regardless of who you are. Part of what's happening in Sudan is the Muslims in one part of the country raids the other part and take Christians into slavery. Many places poor people are forced to sell themselves into slavery to pay their debts.

Answer 6

I think noone were christians because at that time most of the africans worshiped local god's and godesses

Answer 7

So what is the point of your statement, that slavery was good for Africans because it led them to accept the delusional beliefs of their slave masters? If so, screw off.

Answer 8

The Arabs had a huge slave trade as well. They may have been converted to Islam through them before they were sold.

Answer 9

You kinda look like your African with that big snout of yours , Bet your granny was getting it behind the shed by some big black man /

Answer 10

Most, if not all. Islamic tribes fighting Christian tribes, sold their conquered victims, just as they've been doing recently.