2006-12-26 03:24:27 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
They wanted that extra 10% on Sunday !
2006-12-26 03:26:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
This is a great question.
When the slaves were imported from Haiti and Africa, they brought with them many traditions, including their own religious beliefs (voodoo). When they were put on plantations, their only connection to "home" and their families in some instances, was through that religion. Well, when the slaves congregated in groups, the slaveowners got upset. If they congregated, they might get "ideas" about running away and such. So, voodooism was discouraged, and the slaves were forced to convert to Christianity. The funny thing is, voodoo still happened, usually secretly. Even though slaves did accept some Christianity, they basically incorporated it into Voodoo and came up with their own unique was of worshipping...one that preserved their heritage, and sedated the white masters. Marie Laveau, for example, went to church in St. Louis Cathedral on Sundays, but presided over voodoo rituals at night in Congo Square (New Orleans). The blending of African and Haitian religions with Christianity is quite interesting.
2006-12-26 03:29:35 · answer #2 · answered by nottashygirl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure that they did.
The fact is that a good amount of Slaves came from Christian Tribes which had been captured by Islamic Tribes, and sold into Slavery, as was the custom in Africa, and the Middle East.
One other point, if your willing to consider it. Teaching their Slaves Christianity, the Slave Owners unwittingly planted seeds of Hope in the Hearts of the Men, and Women they enslaved. They learned the concept of Freedom from Christianity, something Islam, and the culture from which they came never taught.
I would say it was more the Hand of God, than the desire of the Slave Owners to see their Slaves Saved !
2006-12-26 03:34:22 · answer #3 · answered by Minister 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Slaveowners weren't particularly "accepting" of other people. They did what they wanted and weren't going to give their slaves any freedoms at all. They figured, that if Jesus was good enough for them, it was good enough for everybody.
I don't know if you think that it is a good thing or a bad thing that they tried to convert their slaves but I would say they had bigger problems.
2006-12-26 03:29:18 · answer #4 · answered by Andrew O 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Were they really? I just took a Civil Rights class and never learned about that...I did learn that the slaves were forbidden from going to the "white" churches and the Christians forbade them from practicing their own religion because it was assumed it was all voodoo/occult. You can blame that on the ignorance of Christians in the past, and them not wanted their children "infected" by the slave's religion...but I don't think you can say that every single slave owner actively tried to convert their slaves. They didn't care about them that much.
2006-12-26 03:28:27 · answer #5 · answered by James P 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why did so many assume that their slaves didn't have Jesus? Many of the slave owners bent and twisted Christianity for their own benefit, which is a sin in itself.
2006-12-26 03:28:15 · answer #6 · answered by wrtrchk 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The slave owners liked the parts in the Christian Bible that spoke about slaves having to obey their masters and they hoped that if the slaves were Christian they would obey their masters with the fear of God. However, the plan backfired because the slaves like the Exodus story and compared themselves to the Israelites!
2006-12-26 03:28:23 · answer #7 · answered by Mrs. Pears 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
didn't jesus say something about following the old test. ?
2006-12-26 03:29:41 · answer #8 · answered by jsjmlj 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Obviously if they adhered to his pacifist teachings they would be easier to control.
2006-12-26 03:26:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Happy Holidays. :)
2006-12-26 03:25:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋