A Message to the Descendants of America’s Slaves

The freedom of the Black Community does not lie in the bondage of Christianity

From the outset of slavery in America to modern times, the Black mind has been fertile ground in which to plant the seeds of Christianity. Beginning with slave owners, who pulled long-held traditional beliefs of tribal Africa and Islam from the memories of their Black property like they were weeds in a field; To Black pastors who continue to perpetuate their former master’s indoctrination of fear by encouraging their followers to trust in a white deity and a biblical library that does not address the struggles of Black People, Black Americans continue to turn to the doctrines of Christianity in search of salvation.

But why do most Black Americans, the sons, and daughters of America’s slaves, still embrace Christianity? A religion whose doctrines have sanctioned the torture and killing of our ancestors by the thousands? Whose leaders have encouraged the government to pass laws that denied our right to quality education; suppressed our right to vote; and marginalized our political presence by incarcerating our young men by the millions?

In a sense, a Black American who identifies as a Christian is comparable to a Jew who identifies as a Nazi. The difference, however, is the Jew would instinctively recognize, that to do so, is wrong.

The Suppression of Black America

Today, with the upheaval of change, the likes of which has not been experienced in modern times inching ever closer, Black America stands at a historic crossroad. We can either continue as we have: free in body and mind, but enslaved economically and politically, and socially shackled, living in fear waiting on a messiah, or we can change direction and work to free ourselves from the political and religious bonds which have thus far, prevented us from strengthening the economic and political foundation of our community.

However, we cannot begin to change our direction, until we recognize that the suppression of Black America is rooted in the politics of Evangelical Christianity, and perpetuated, by the power and influence of Black Christian Churches. And though it might seem counterintuitive, we must accept that “salvation” for Black America, does not lie within the Christian church, Black or otherwise, but outside of it!

Before I continue, I want to make it clear that I’m not advocating an “us versus them” mentality or attitude. Moreover, it is not my intention to convey the idea that we should regard White people or any other people as enemies. What I am saying, is that America’s slave owners forced Christianity on their slaves, and used it to stifle their education, and later, when they were free, their economic growth, and their political power.

Consequently, it stands to reason that if we continue to practice the Christian religion, today’s Christian leaders, through indoctrination, fear, and the promise of prosperity, will continue to impose their religion on the Black community. And to prevent the erosion of their current political status, use the power of Christianity’s influence to stifle our education, our economic growth, and our political power!

Deep Roots

So, what can we do? I am not so naïve to think that what I write here will motivate Blacks to leave their churches in droves and turn inward to repair their communities. Even those communities that have been blighted by drugs, high crime, and joblessness. Although to do so, would be a positive step toward improving the lives of the people who live in them.

For some, to step away from Christianity would be impossible. Its roots run deep; and in predominately Black communities, deeper still. The best I can hope for at this juncture is that what I write might inspire some to seek and accept the truth of the reality in which we live, and then, use what they have learned to improve themselves, and other people.

If the Black community is to survive as a viable and equal aspect of American society, we cannot expect, nor depend, on the mindset of its Elder generation to achieve that goal. The Elder generation has been molded by hundreds of years of indoctrination which has created fears, based on the belief in an unproven reality and life after death, that no amount of convincing will eradicate. In effect, they are still, in mind and spirit, slaves!

However, whether American society will continue to treat Black people as slaves in the coming future, will depend on whether the Black community continues to allow the Christian church to influence the minds of its younger generations.

Education Is Not Enough

Therein, lies the key. Who will educate and influence the minds of our children? Their status and level of influence in the future might depend more than we will ever realize, on how we answer that question!

To educate our children, however, is not enough. If they are to be successful, we must not only teach them; we must free them from the bondage woven into the beliefs of Christianity and focus them on the truth of the reality in which we live.

Although many Black people have achieved wealth, and political positions, as a community, Blacks still lag behind much of American society in economic strength and political power. We have, by no means, reached the pinnacle of our potential.

Moreover, with companies positioning Artificial Intelligence (AI) to replace human labor in the future, if we do not act now to guide our children into professions that will not be adversely affected by the AI onslaught, our current level of economic and political strength will erode beyond recovery.

My message to you is that we are running out of time. We no longer live in a world where a high school diploma is sufficient for obtaining a factory job with good pay and benefits. To continue to teach Black children as many have learned: trust in Jesus, and the Lord will provide, will not prepare them for the reality they will encounter in the future, where the competition will be ferocious, and the jobs will be few.

Although there is nothing we can do that will ensure our children’s future success, we can give them, in this here, and in this now, a better opportunity to achieve it, by releasing them from the bonds of Christianity. The bonds that continue to keep our community shackled, as slaves.