Why do black people continue to practice the religion that was forced upon them during slavery?

It's a historical fact that when black people came to America, they were NOT Christians. Some were animists, quite a few were Muslims, some practiced vodun ("voodoo"), but they were not Christian. Once they got here, the were stripped of all aspects of their culture and given European names and a European religion, Christianity, and they've been in love with it ever since. The slave masters that beat the **** out of them were Christians. The slave bounty hunters that beat the **** out of them were Christians. The soldiers of the Confederacy who fought to keep slavery legal were Christian. The people that passed segregation and Jim Crow laws AND turned the hoses on them were Christian.



Also, black people spend all their money on churches. A black neighborhood consists of plenty of churches and no bookstore. Blacks have got god for days, but don't own any land or have money (real money, not paying a house not). Many can quote the bible at the drop of a hat, but can't tell you who the Vice President is. They've got all this belief and still get treated like crap. It's pretty obvious that Christianity isn't the way to go because blacks aren't getting *anything* out of it. And on top of that, most preachers are pimping these poor people and spending the money on themselves. Thus I ask why do black people continue to practice the religion that was forced upon them during slavery. And this isn't just in America, it's all over the black world. Blacks = most religion, least money. Whites and Asians = least religion, most money.



Also: I'm part black, so I can say all this stuff. If you don't like it, kick rocks.Why do black people continue to practice the religion that was forced upon them during slavery?
When the Missionaries arrived, the Africans had the Land and the Missionaries had the Bible. They taught us how to pray with our eyes closed. When we opened them, they had the land and we had the Bible.

Jomo Kenyatta, former President of Kenya



Acceptance of a supernatural claim tends to promote cooperative social relationships. This communication demonstrates a willingness to accept, without skepticism, the influence of the speaker in a way similar to a child's acceptance of the influence of a parent. By encouraging this kind of behavior where the most intense social relationships occur it facilitates the lack of skepticism and deters more open minded thinking.



They are christian, Muslim or the other religions depending where they were born simply because they were indoctrinated by their parents as very young children. They will go on to indoctrinate their own children and those will go on to indoctrinate their grandchildren!



Atheists have the intellect to see through the conditioning and escape into the real world!



Agnostics have the intellect to see through the conditioning but lack the courage to throw of the conditioning entirely.



Sadly Christians are still held firmly prisoner by the self perpetuating brainwashing!
africanmagick.com and it actually worked for me! I know these things aren't for everyone but maybe you should give it a try.

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Why do black people continue to practice the religion that was forced upon them during slavery?
Good question, and not at all racist.



There were christian Africans and Jews in Ethiopia, Libya etc long before the slavers.



I guess the reason that west Africans became christian and still are was first by force and second by the power of memes.
Hey, Dumb Texan, who lives up to her name, I am atheist and come from a predominately Christian culture. Your point?

Edit: My point is still the same. I am an atheist in a mostly Christian country and that didn't affect my disbelief. What was YOUR point with the Afghanistan question?Why do black people continue to practice the religion that was forced upon them during slavery?
Because they have known the truth %26amp; the truth has made them free. This is the second time I have answered this same ? in 6 mos.
The 1st time I received a best answer %26amp; an atta boy. Peace
Heavily brainwashed.
Because that's how religion works.
Christ made it to africa before the slave trade. FACT!
For a guy that's supposedly "part black" you are incredibly racist. Blacks don't own any land or have money? What kind of nonsense it that? Excuse me?
First of all MANY if not MOST slaves sent to the USA from Africa were sold into slavery by OTHER BLACKS.



Yes they were often sold at ship by white traders, but were sold to them by OTHER BLACKS.



Since slavery was in use in the Caribbean for a hundred to two hundred years before the USA was first populated by Europeans, many of the slaves in the USA originate from the Caribbean NOT Africa.



Christianity at its core, not necessarily as practiced, is inclusive and comforting and provides a sense of community, just what most people are looking for in a religion. Yes most other major religions, also share similar core ethos, but given the demographics of the USA, they are in the minority, and thus provide a smaller community and thus less inclusion.



I think "crying" for people to change from a religion that works for them to meet YOUR perceptions is just petty.



Let's all just try to move forward.
Maybe because it is true? Maybe because it brings them peace?



You complain about churches in black neighborhoods that give people hope? Peace? A place to get together and meet friends, really? Really? Churches are free. No one is charged money.

Funny you don't bring up the fact that there are more abortion mills, killing black children inside of black neighborhoods than white by 8 to 1. That evil is okay I guess, but a church, preaching love and forgiveness and self control is bad? By the way, Christianity is impossible to "force" on anyone. It is a matter of the heart, you can't force it the way you can Islam through Sharia law.



Go visit some churches, and see what you find out. Obviously you either never ever go, or are just deceived, it is sad.
%26gt;%26gt;quite a few were Muslims%26lt;%26lt;



Which was also forced on them. Let's not forget Christianity existed in Africa before Islam was even founded.



"Most people are unaware that there was a vibrant black Christianity and church-life existing in North Africa long before St. Patrick was even born (~389). In the 2nd - 3rd centuries, Ethiopia became a Christian country, as did Nubia south of Egypt; traces of their famed liturgy still exist today. These churches gave birth to numerous well-known black Christians, many of whom were martyred for their beliefs. Examples are Moses the Black, Cyril of Alexandria, Perpetus, Benedict the Black, Felicity, John of Egypt and likely even the famous St. Augustine and his mother St. Monica.



"The black Christian presence in Africa would later become divided over doctrinal issues, and then all but disappear when Islam swept thru Africa in the 7th and 8th centuries."

http://www.holyangels.com/BlackCath.htm
Would atheists be atheist if they lived in Afghanistan? Don't leave yourselves outside of the equation.

memnoch200 - Your argument is weak. Something like 15% of the USA is atheist. You are not by any means a significant minority.