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Jeremiah Camara examines the intoxicating effects of religion and the phenomenon of blind belief.
Why I Focus on the African American Believer
There are Christians around the world consisting of many different
ethnic backgrounds; so why do I choose to write about religion, mainly
as it relates to African Americans? I have been asked this question on
more than a few occasions. Please allow me to explain my reasoning.
African Americans have a different dynamic when it comes to their
relationship with religion/Christianity.
Blacks were introduced to Jesus
while enslaved and were told the bible was their ticket to freedom and
their roadmap to eternal life. This was music to enslaved men and
women’s ears. How sweet the sound it was, to hear about a man, a Son of
God, that would deliver them from the inhumane suffering of servitude
and physical bondage! It was this belief, coupled with the unusual
institution of slavery that separates the Black believer from the rest
of the world’s believers.
The bible was used to justify Black enslavement and therefore became
the greatest condoner of Black bondage. Blacks wrestled with a
perplexing paradox. On one hand, there was Jesus; the collaborator of Black physical enslavement, yet the liberator
of Black souls. In other words, Jesus, as told to Blacks by their
enslaver, completely approved of their enslavement but would one day
grant their souls the opportunity to dwell with him and his father, freely up in heaven; if they believed. To this day, there has not been an acceptable rationalization to justify such a contradiction.
Meanwhile, in the midst of all of this new and strange information
being digested into the Black consciousness, Blacks were provided with
an image of a savior which was similar in appearance to their oppressor.
So, to make us feel better about being forced to accept our
oppressor’s image and belief system, Blacks, ultimately compensated
by dipping Jesus and all of the other biblical characters in
“chocolate.” This was an ego-defense mechanism which also made the
stories in the bible more relatable and palatable.
Today, religious studies have shown that African American church
services last nearly twice (and sometimes three times) as long than
mostly all other groups. Black churches are typically the loudest and
amongst the most emotional.
Over 82 percent of African Americans are
members of churches and the preacher (not the intellectual) is still the
most revered and respected figure in Black society. This deference for
the preacher goes back to the plantation also. Those Blacks who could
“make the bible talk,” were held in high respect. On the plantation, men
were known as boys, uncle, nigga etc., but in the church, this same
person was Deacon Smith, Reverend Jones etc. This is
why most of the Black “leadership” today have minister or reverend in
front of their name. Everyone who goes to church believes their
particular pastor to be profound and wise but little do they know that
many pastors are ignorant to the history of the very belief system they
promote.
Because African Americans could not rely upon the government to
implement change, they have been trained to pray out their suffering and
rely upon a messianic hope in times of need. So, you see, Black people
have a very unique relationship with the church/religion. This
unwithering loyalty to blind faith has made Black people perhaps the
most delusional people on earth. Blacks are amongst the most praising,
testifying, Jesus loving people on earth but are the bottom feeders of
society. In many communities, Blacks are the least productive and most
disruptive segments of society. Blacks are not operating at their
fullest capabilities due to impaired cognitions from religious
intoxication.
African Americans have been theologically conditioned to
rely upon supernaturalism and divine intervention to solve problems. In
the long run, this has hampered the ability to think logically and
practically when it comes to addressing critical issues.
This is why I focus on the African American’s relationship with
religion. African Americans tend toover-praise yet under produce. Over
indulgence in religion, in my opinion, has led to a mental health crisis
in the Black community.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQcGz8Sgibw
There are Christians around the world consisting of many different
ethnic backgrounds; so why do I choose to write about religion, mainly
as it relates to African Americans? I have been asked this question on
more than a few occasions. Please allow me to explain my reasoning.
African Americans have a different dynamic when it comes to their
relationship with religion/Christianity.
Blacks were introduced to Jesus
while enslaved and were told the bible was their ticket to freedom and
their roadmap to eternal life. This was music to enslaved men and
women’s ears. How sweet the sound it was, to hear about a man, a Son of
God, that would deliver them from the inhumane suffering of servitude
and physical bondage! It was this belief, coupled with the unusual
institution of slavery that separates the Black believer from the rest
of the world’s believers.
The bible was used to justify Black enslavement and therefore became
the greatest condoner of Black bondage. Blacks wrestled with a
perplexing paradox. On one hand, there was Jesus; the collaborator of Black physical enslavement, yet the liberator
of Black souls. In other words, Jesus, as told to Blacks by their
enslaver, completely approved of their enslavement but would one day
grant their souls the opportunity to dwell with him and his father, freely up in heaven; if they believed. To this day, there has not been an acceptable rationalization to justify such a contradiction.
Meanwhile, in the midst of all of this new and strange information
being digested into the Black consciousness, Blacks were provided with
an image of a savior which was similar in appearance to their oppressor.
So, to make us feel better about being forced to accept our
oppressor’s image and belief system, Blacks, ultimately compensated
by dipping Jesus and all of the other biblical characters in
“chocolate.” This was an ego-defense mechanism which also made the
stories in the bible more relatable and palatable.
Today, religious studies have shown that African American church
services last nearly twice (and sometimes three times) as long than
mostly all other groups. Black churches are typically the loudest and
amongst the most emotional.
Over 82 percent of African Americans are
members of churches and the preacher (not the intellectual) is still the
most revered and respected figure in Black society. This deference for
the preacher goes back to the plantation also. Those Blacks who could
“make the bible talk,” were held in high respect. On the plantation, men
were known as boys, uncle, nigga etc., but in the church, this same
person was Deacon Smith, Reverend Jones etc. This is
why most of the Black “leadership” today have minister or reverend in
front of their name. Everyone who goes to church believes their
particular pastor to be profound and wise but little do they know that
many pastors are ignorant to the history of the very belief system they
promote.
Because African Americans could not rely upon the government to
implement change, they have been trained to pray out their suffering and
rely upon a messianic hope in times of need. So, you see, Black people
have a very unique relationship with the church/religion. This
unwithering loyalty to blind faith has made Black people perhaps the
most delusional people on earth. Blacks are amongst the most praising,
testifying, Jesus loving people on earth but are the bottom feeders of
society. In many communities, Blacks are the least productive and most
disruptive segments of society. Blacks are not operating at their
fullest capabilities due to impaired cognitions from religious
intoxication.
African Americans have been theologically conditioned to
rely upon supernaturalism and divine intervention to solve problems. In
the long run, this has hampered the ability to think logically and
practically when it comes to addressing critical issues.
This is why I focus on the African American’s relationship with
religion. African Americans tend toover-praise yet under produce. Over
indulgence in religion, in my opinion, has led to a mental health crisis
in the Black community.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
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