Anyone else find it odd that African-Americans are so religious?

I'm black and a quarter Native (my Mom is 50% black, 25% Cherokee, 25% Sioux), so I find it VERY odd and even more disturbing that so many people flock to the very religion that exploited and destroyed them. My aunt "worries for my soul" because I deconverted from voodoo Christianity to agnostic-atheism. When I explained to her that a small part of the reason was in fact because of the atrocities that were committed against both sides of our ancestry by the religion, she didn't seem to grasp it.

Why is this? Does anyone else find this ironic?

2011-09-19T13:59:01Z

@Renone:
How on Earth am I racist? It was a simple question. My fiance is White, Filipino, and Mexican; our son will truly have to mark "Other." If my question was above your comprehension level, then I apologize for your ignorance.

2011-09-19T14:01:37Z

@Comet:
I LOVE Greydon Square! I wish more people knew about him! Congrats for being informed and in the loop! lol

2011-09-19T14:04:06Z

@Leviski:
Well how else am I supposed to judge a religion? That's almost like saying don't judge a company by its employees or products.

2011-09-19T14:06:32Z

@BibleChooser:
Abolitionism was a Christian-based movement. Okay, I'll accept that. However, what was Christianity doing for the first couple hundred years? What about the mass slaughter of the "barbaric savages" that needed "civilizing". I can guarantee you that I'm not the one you want to engage with in a battle of wits, facts, history, etc.

2011-09-19T18:14:41Z

@Thomas Builds:
Well, the thing is that I never said whether I was or was not enrolled into a tribe. I didn't realize I had to explain my enrollment and affiliations in depth with you, considering neither was relevant to the question at hand. So assume what you may, but my family's enrollment or lack thereof, quite frankly, doesn't pertain to anything at the moment.

Anonymous2011-09-19T13:54:50Z

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I find it odd that anyone would be so devoutly religious.

Anne Arkey2011-09-19T21:00:51Z

You actually answered your question with your aunt's quote...she worries for your soul. It struck me as odd, also. Many years ago I had the opportunity to meet the Rev. Jesse Jackson and I asked him about this. His response was the promise of the after life where blacks would be free and as equal as whites (and others). Based on the troubles and strife endured, heaven is a relief; a reward. A Black Baptist minister also echoed these sentiments, stating that religion -- and the understanding Jesus just may have been a black man -- gives the Black person hope. That Baptist minister also told me, anectdotally, the reason why it is so prevalent for Black people to say "aks" or "ask." Supposedly is is from learning the books of the bible through this little poem -- Mathew, Mark, Luke for John, Acts the Romans where he's gone.

?2011-09-19T21:01:47Z

The lure of a God is strong, it gives people hope. Logic and religion don't in hand in hand, and centuries of indoctrination are hard to combat. The people who persecuted our ancestors will be blamed and God praised for emancipation. All of this despite the fact that the Bible advocates slavery. Christianity is still causing havoc in Africa, it has a strong hold on people - as has Islam. Fear and superstition are powerful exploitative tools.

qtiepie2011-09-19T20:59:23Z

I date a black guy and I think it is just the opposite. He is not religious, his family says they are, but I don't recall them going to church.

I think your family doesn't understand and b/c you have announced you are a non-believer. Therefore, family or not I would br worried about your soul. It is pretty clear in the bible King James version that there is a greater power than us out there. If you don't believe anythinmg else you have to accept that you are not the "Mighty God" and that without a higher power the world simply wouldnt turn as it does

Comet Meebro2011-09-19T20:59:59Z

You should check out Greydon Square. Black atheist hip-hop artist.

EDIT: Yeah man, I'm a regular visitor on his ustream show

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