Writers Note: The
FreedomJournal is a God-Fearing Free Black Press. We do not seek a leadership
role in the Black community. Nor are we interested in community organizing. We
are independent thinkers who write about the Black experience. We also do not harbor
ill feelings toward people that disagree with us. As a Free Black Press we
support the First Amendment for all citizens of the United States. Finally we
are not bound by the interests of any Special Interest Group. We only seek to
Glorify God. Thus, if man is angry about the way we think and write, please
take it up with God.
Peace,
Carl A. Patton, FreedomJournal: Updated November 13, 2000 in the
year of our Lord.
The
Confrontation of Truth and Knowledge Archives
ALSO, FROM THIS DAY FORWARD WE CEASE ALL DEBATES WITH ATHEIST
AND
HATE-MONGERS.
THE WORLD AND SATAN
IN THE BLACK CHURCH
(Ungodly Blasphemy)
Part 2: Notes on the
History of The Black Preacher
In the name of God, Master of the universe, Ruler of the
earth.
Those who exploited
the Africans for their labor power also used Christianity to control this labor
source. Thus within the ranks of the oppressed and exploited they found and
groomed turncoats, to work against their own people. The record shows a clear
and distinct campaign to use Christianity as a means of control.
Again we refer to
the research by Professor Edward W. Blyden, "Christianity, Islam and The
Negro Race." Blyden notes in a chapter entitled "Christianity and The
Negro Race," the following:
"Upon the
Africans who became members of the Christian church the idea was impressed that
it was their duty to submit, in everything, to their masters. Christians of all
shades of opinion, in the South, taught this doctrine, and embodied it in books
prepared specially for the instruction of the slaves, their oral instruction,
for they were not allowed to learn to read."
Who actually were
the first Black Preachers? Did any of these Preachers have an impact on
Christianity and the people they ministered to? For a further look at the
origins of the Black church and the Black Preacher we turn to research by
Benjamin E. Mays and Joseph W. Nicholson, "The Negro's Church." Mays
and Nicholson in a chapter entitled "Achieving Freedom In The
Church," note the following:
"The first
Negro Church in America is reported to have been organized by Mr. Palmer at
Silver Bluffs, South Carolina, 1773 or 1775. Economically, keeping Negroes
satisfied was profitable to the landowners and to them honest. The Negro
preacher and the Negro Church were instruments to this end."
Mays and Nicholson
like most Black historians and theologians that have explored the origins of
the Black church agree on the previous statements. Therefore, the record is
clear on the willful manipulation of Christianity for economic gain. These
distressing factors also have produced a disdain of Christianity by many people
in the Black community.
Thus, with the
rejection of Christianity by many Blacks, they have looked elsewhere. Islam has
taken a firm hold in the Black community mainly because of historic racism and
Human rights abuses associated with Christianity. The FreedomJournal argues
that Muslims have not gone out and brought Black people into the Mosque in most
cases. From our analysis Christian racists and slave time teaching Black
Preachers and church leaders have forced Black people from the pews of
Christianity with lies, blasphemy and ungodliness.
For example many
people have entered the ministry for the wrong reasons. The great emphasis on
money and whore-mongering has blemished the Black church. Also we note that the
False Teachings and False Doctrines centered on Tithes and Offerings, Healing,
Speaking in Tongues, What actually is Judging and Laying on Hands are some of
the reasons for the confusion in the Black Church. However, the Prosperity
Ministries are most likely the greatest causes of dissension and wickedness in
the Church. Thus, the crime and Hell- Bent Sin of Thievery and Lust for Money
have caused the greatest Exodus from the Church. Again Mays and Nicholson
benefit our discussion.
"In the
majority of Negro churches there have been no standards, allowing men to enter
the ministry. If a man says he is called to preach, he can usually be
ordained."
It is for sure that
many were called and many came to forsake God. Also many were not called by God
and never knew God. This group is most likely the worst of the lot. However,
can man distinguish between the ungodly Preacher and God's Preacher? Were there
any independent God- fearing Preachers during the establishment of the Black
church? Mays and Nicholson reveal the following:
"The militant
Negro preachers in a certain section of South Carolina were silenced by threats
of violence, and in some cases actually run out of the county, because their
messages were not considered the kind that would keep Negroes in their place.
But those who preached about heaven, who told Negroes to be honest and
obedient, and that by and by, God would straighten things out were helped
financially in church projects."
From our analysis
of the literature there were evidences of independent and God fearing early
Black Preachers. We also argue that they made a significant impact on the
slave-holding South. Were the militant Black Preachers who led slave rebellions
God's Preachers?
Carter G. Woodson
in his research "The History of the Negro Church," continues our
discussion.
"Because of
the insurrectionary movements led by certain Blacks like Gabriel Prosser,
Denmark Vesey and Nat Turner, it became unpopular to teach Negroes to read. It
became known throughout the South that some Negro preachers used preaching as a
means to incite their race to insurrection."
Therefore, there
were laws enacted to silence Black Preachers. Usually they did not allow them
to Preach unless in the company of certain White men. In 1832 Virginia passed a
law to this affect. In 1833, Alabama passed a law that required Blacks slave or
free to have five respectable slave- holders present before they could Preach. Georgia
enacted a law in 1834 that provided that Blacks slave or free could only Preach
to an assembly of no more than seven unless authorized by the state.
Professor Woodson
males a final note on the attitude of the slave-holders and Black Preachers:
"The masters
had long since learned that coincidence of religious belief on the part of the
slave and the owners was a necessity in the economy of the slave-holding
states. No master would look with favor upon seeing his slave proselyted or
influenced by a minister whom he would not tolerate as his own spiritual
advisor."
What has been
characteristic of the Black Preacher over time? Can we distinguish between
Preachers of God and Preachers of men and money? We will continue this
discussion with a look at the Biblical references related to false Prophets.
Cont. Part 3: The Bible and False Prophets
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