Slave Religion

european christian -english people used christian theology to enslave non-christian blacks

they were diseased, curses of god, talked different and were uncivilized, heathens, "prime beasts for slavery."

adam and eve created life and were white

Supreme Being - the Higher God controlled everyone and everything; could control good vs evil -- used song, dance and storytelling

-read the Koran -prayed to gods Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as well as the same god Catholics/Europeans prayed to

began when africans needed something greater than them to sustain during bad events - resulted to Gods. *began as Creole religion = heavy influence from African ethnic groups and European religion

before they understood christianity, they believed in spirits and giving libation on special events - Holy Spirits, evil spirits, and apparitions.

used ju ju, gris gris, blue beads, and other charms to protect them from evil. (these are knwon as religious amulets)

leaders were conjurers, healers, and midwives, as they could use "special magic" for good and evil

healing, harming, and protecting through ritual harnessing of spiritual forces. *type of religion

type of folk magic that was used for protection *not a type of religion

-vital parts of daily life -drumming singing and dancing = essential features of ceremonies and life

mixture of african ethnic religion, muslim religion, and christianity to form creole *whites did not know about this -occurred in the woods during night time -participated in worship

religion was used to help slaves forget about their suffering. it helped conquer slaves fear of the master

most influential community

free blacks/slaves who knew how to read and understand the bible *they learned to read from the Masters children, other slaves, ore were self taught *danger to plantation -- cult leaders **taught children to read

between plantations *delivered exchange and current news/events

-they were chosen by God to teach others -spoke about freedom, Moses parting the Red Sea, and leading Gods people out of the bondage -some sermons were about spirits

-told members about a spirit informing Mary that she was impregnated by the Holy Spirit -told how Jesus could raise the dead, walk on water, heal the sick, and feed the hungry -believed God called them to deliver people from slavery

they too performed acts that were not everyday things

-a salvation and beyond

voodoo

preaching gospel without permission would lead to flogging and death *some punishments would even apply to slaves who attended meetings -therefore slaves hid to be with God

they would sing "steal away" - the community worshipped God in a way that integrated various forms of human expression, song, dance, and prayer.