1. Religion & African-Americans
Unit III

2. 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

3. 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)

4. Black Christianity Beginning Part I

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

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

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

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

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

10. 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?

11. Religion in the Black Community
Part II

12. 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

13. 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?

14. 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?

15. 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?

16. 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

17. 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)

18. Problems in the Black Church Part III

19. 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

20. 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?

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

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

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

24. 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

25. 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?

26. Other Religions
Part IV

27. 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?

28. 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?

29. 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?

30. 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

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