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Racism and Christianity

What I find fascinating is the deep belief in Christianity throughout the African-American community. Of all groups of people, you would think Blacks would be one of the most anti-Christian groups. The way Whites brutally treated Blacks for so long makes me wonder why Blacks believe in a religion that's considered to be primarily a White religion. Whites shoved Christianity down the throats of just about every group of people they came in contact with around the world. Using Christ as a justification for imperialism and domination of other races. You would think Blacks, just as well as many other groups, would be resistant to Christianity. I know some groups were, especially Native Americans. Many Natives became Christians but many also clung to their beliefs. What's laughable is that Native American beliefs actually made more sense than Christian beliefs. Its understandable to at least pretend to believe in something for survival and political reasons. Unfortunately it appears that the brainwashing was handed down from generation to generation. It's too bad our history books are afraid to point out that Christianity was used as a tool for European brutality. If kids were taught properly about the history of racism, their understanding might lead to less hatred in society and more empathy.

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Comment by Caveman on August 17, 2009 at 11:31pm: Thanks for speaking to my ignorance Gary. Things make more sense now. See cavemen can learn new things too.

Comment by Ralph Dumain on August 17, 2009 at 11:05pm: It's important also to recognize how completely tied up by the clergy black colleges were. Du Bois fought this domination tooth and nail, as best he could, even in the South. But it was hopeless.

Comment by Ralph Dumain on August 17, 2009 at 10:19pm: It's so simple, even a caveman could figure it out. Yet your eminently rationalist argument leaves the ideology and psychology of the adoption of Christianity or other religions on the part of conquered people untouched. However, all peoples did not begin as rationalists and end up superstitious; rather, there was a mutation from one magical belief system to another, and following that process will generate a much deeper understanding than simply pointing out its absurdity.

Comment by Caveman on August 17, 2009 at 9:09pm: I know its compex. That's why I started this discussion. Most of it has to do with education. The less educated people are, the more likely they are to be religious. Religion is tied to people's emotions. It makes people feel better about their lives and their environment. Just as well, people who are educated and have power use religion as a tool for control and their own personal gains.

Comment by Louis on August 17, 2009 at 8:13pm: I have to wonder why so many Christians are Christian. I mean, fuck, no group has killed more Christians for being Christian than other Christians.

Comment by River Otter on August 17, 2009 at 7:55pm: LMAO felch! True enough.

I have often pondered this question. I also wonder why so many Mexicans are Christian. Their history with Christianity is pretty brutal too.

Comment by Фелч Гроган on August 16, 2009 at 2:35am: Caveman: If kids were taught properly about the history of racism, their understanding might lead to less hatred in society and more empathy.

Agreed. With a minor edit -

If kids were taught properly about history

or even -

If kids were taught properly