Religion & African-Americans Unit III

Best For Blacks? Look At The Chart of the Three Major Monotheistic Religions Determine Which is Better for Blacks during either SLAVERY, RECONSTRUCTION, CIVIL RIGHTS, or NOW And BRIEFLY Say Why

Comparison Topic Islam Judaism Christianity God's role in salvation predestination divine revelation and forgiveness predestination, various forms of grace main day of worship Friday Saturday Sunday view of sacred text inspired, literal word of God, inerrant in original languages views vary inspired, some believe inerrant in original languages human nature equal ability to do good or evil two equal impulses, one good and one bad "original sin" inherited from Adam - tendency towards evil good afterlife eternal paradise views vary: either heaven or no afterlife eternal heaven means of salvation correct belief, good deeds, Five Pillars belief in God, good deeds correct belief, faith, good deeds, sacraments (some Protestants emphasize faith alone)

Black Christianity Beginning Part I

In The Beginning Most Blacks From Africa Were Muslim Slave Owners & Abolitionists Imparted Christianity on Blacks What Was The Purpose of This?

The Rise of The Black Church During Slavery, Blacks Begin to Have Their Own Services Positives Since of Community, Identity Negatives Complacency

After Slavery Black Denominations of Churches Begin to Form AME, AME-Zion, National Baptist Convention The Churches Begin to Form Traditions & Culture How So?

Civil Rights Churches Became Places of Sanctuary and Meeting During the Movement Black Leadership Rose Out of the Christian Church For Example?

Why Christianity? Accepted and Forgave Anyone STRONG Message of Hope & Faith That Things Will Get Better Why is This Important to Blacks?

Gospel Song Listen to This Gospel Song & Follow the Lyrics Answer These Following Questions (2-3): What is The TONE of The Song? Is it “Black”? How? How Does the Song Reflect African American Culture? What Time Period Would This Song Reflect Most for Blacks? Why?

Religion in the Black Community Part II

Belief System African Americans have Rooted Many of Their Beliefs in Religion What Beliefs Do Blacks Hold? Blacks Tend to Be Stubborn and Hold Fast to Beliefs Which is a Feature of Religion

Community The Black Community Often Uses The Church as a Basis for Events & Ceremonies Like What? Many Refer to Their Church as “Family” & Act As Such How So? Positive & Negative?

Culture Style of Dress is Often an Important Consideration in the Black Church Examples? Status Holds a Very Important Place in the Discussion of The Black Church What Does this Mean?

Music Predominate Form of Music is Christian Gospel Gospel is a Unique and VERY Black Genre of Music What Makes Gospel Unique? Types of Gospel & Topics in Gospel Examples?

Other Churches Islam Has a Strong Foothold in the Black Community As Well Why? Many Blacks Join “Nontraditional” Christian Churches As Well Catholics, Jehovah Witnesses Low Number of Black Atheist/Agnostics

Gospel Song Listen to This 2nd Gospel Song & Follow the Lyrics Answer These Following Questions (2-3): What is The TONE of The Song? Is it “Black”? How? How Does the Song Reflect African American Culture? What Time Period Would This Song Reflect Most for Blacks? Why? WHAT IS THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO SONGS? COMPARE & CONTRAST (3-4)

Problems in the Black Church Part III

Greed Whenever There is Money Involved, Problems Occur Pastors Members Notorious for Making A Lot of Money SHOULD Preachers Get Rich? Members Lack of Participation in Collection

Pride Sense of Competition Creates Conflict Clothing Participation Everyone Must Be “Flyer” Than The Next Participation Who Is Doing The “Most” Work? Who Is Giving the Most Praise? Examples?

Hypocrisy Saying/Exclaiming One Thing and Then Behaving Differently Family Infidelity in the Church Service Lack of Actual Giving/Service

Envy Jealousy Creates Feelings of Anger & Distrust Education Gossip Questioning Members on Their Education Levels Gossip Spreading Rumors About Other Members Personal Lives

Division Churches Split Causing a Divide in Resources & Causes Politics Pick Issues & Divide Beliefs

What Do You Think? (3-5 Sentences Each) Which One of These Particular Issues Cause The MOST Harm in Churches? Why? Have You Experienced Any of These Issues? If so, Explain…if not,why not? Are These Issues a Reflection of Mainly The Black Church or Religions in General? Explain Your Answer

Famous Scandals Pick Out the Scandal that Stood Out the Most to You & Why Why Do We Hold Religious People In Such High Praise? Are There Any Other Professions That We Hold to HIGH Standards Like Preachers?

Other Religions Part IV

Islam Blacks Are Attracted to Islam as a “Brown Man’s Religion” Made Even MORE Popular by Malcolm X & Louis Farrakhan Look for Converts in Prisons Why In Prison?

Judaism Often Derided By Black Folk Due to Strong Christian & Islamic Ties Famous Black Jews Represent the Religion Sammy Davis Jr., Drake Conflict Where Is The Conflict Here?

Rasta Religion Found Mostly in Heavily Black Jamaica Commercial Popularized by Bob Marley What Do We Associate This Philosophy With? HEAVY Influence on Black Culture How?

Voodoo Combination of Belief in Magic & Roman Catholic Traditions Often Portrayed as “Evil” in TV & Film What is the Problem here? Still Practiced in Places Like Louisiana & South America

Atheists/Agnostics Growing Number of African American Youth Have Become Agnostics Access to Instant/Broad Information Leads to Questioning Everything CONFLICT! Why?