The evolution of the black church - Research Paper Example

The evolution of the black church The black community has rich tale of experiences which started from their slavery, emancipation and integration in the American lives as free men. This historical saga brings to light in this study their dedication on their religion and aspirations to have a distinct identity as an organized religion. The slavery period. For the purpose of the study, details of the history will start after the American Revolution, an era where the slavery was abolished. By 1810 slaves were totally free; the slave trade in America ended, and a large native born population of African Americans began to increase. This freedom allowed the African-Americans to blend together, to preserve their cultures and to transform their religious beliefs and practices. This period also coincided with the revival of religious evangelization wherein many slaves were converted to evangelical religions like Baptists and Methodists. Evangelists encouraged the message of hope and salvation to the slaves, and advocated the idea that all Christians are equal in the eyes of God. The teachings of the scriptures appealed to the slaves because it inspired them towards hope and salvation and were particularly interested in the stories of deliverance from slavery of Moses’ Exodus out of Egypt. The Africans also found worships that were similar to their own such as clapping, dancing, loud singing and evil spirit possession. Still, whites and the clergy kept on preaching the message of obedience and used Bible stories to justify slavery, and promoted the idea that they will be rewarded after life if they remain loyal and hard-working slaves (Maffly-Kipp Laurie, 2001) The blacks were not allowed to attend church worships independently by their masters for fear that they would plot rebellion. The blacks however were treated differently inside the church. They were allowed to stay only in the galleries, back rows and in the church yards to hear the singing and sermons. Soon enough, it became clear to them that the white clergy had defied the true Christian meaning of equality and freedom. They were not also allowed to have religious meetings on their own. However, they continued to have organized underground churches, secret religious meetings and to form an “invisible church. This became their secret way of communication and in a way, to plot a revolution. They made signals, passwords and messages known only to them. They mixed African rhythms, songs and beliefs with the teachings of Christianity. A distinct kind of music which is still alive today is the jazz music which was preserved by the African-Americans while they were in the plantations in the south (Encyclopedia Britannica) It was during the secret religious gatherings that ideologies of spirituality, salvation and freedom from slavery began to develop. Black preachers started to teach the Word, introduced chanted sermons, and polished their extemporaneous preaching. The Emancipation period. To put an end to the rebellions and civil war, the black slaves were given freedom by the Emancipation Act of President Abraham Lincoln on September 22, 1862; however, this law did not apply to slaves residing in the southern side territory of the State. Total freedom was only achieved on December 18, 1865 when the abolitionists gave mounting pressure to Congress and to the country (Miller, Douglas T.) The emancipation from slavery brought serious challenges to the African-American, and religion was only one of the elements of their larger needs in beginning their lives as free men. First, they have to find jobs, reunite with their families, and think of ways of living with Americans as free citizen. Impact of emancipation. The freedom of slaves reduced the production of plantations and factories in the south as they are now free to look for other work to do. However, there are also many blacks who continued to work with their former masters for they do not know any other work Conditions in sugar plantations caused conflict as slaves learned their rights gained from freedom. Sugar plantation owners insisted on treating blacks as slaves, the only difference now is they are compensated. They resisted conditions that keep them in worst slave conditions, and earned to have bargaining positions for higher wage on the plantation. These action of workers prompted land owners to bring migrant workers from Africa to supplement or replace their workforce. Again, the fusion of migrant workers in the workers village affected the dynamics of their living style and conditions (Josiah, Barbara P) A similar incidence of emancipation influence was described by Michael Hucles. He said that the impact of emancipation to the African-Community in Norfolk centered on their need for education, among others. The need to address the education of black Norfolks brought attendant problems. Norfolk provided safe haven to African slaves who escaped from their masters before emancipation. A large group of enslaved blacks came to the city to seek haven and refuge. This migration to Norfolk caused the black population to double its size since the war outbreak in 1870. They also asked for their rights guaranteed by the Freedom Acts, like property ownership, male suffrage rights and fair labor practices. Not all African-Americans got part in the politics, but supported their leaders in joining political rallies. Most part of the African Americans is interested in getting jobs and learning thru proper education and they see this are more important issues than politics. Missionaries sent to Norfolk were successful in alleviating literacy. They established mission schools with white teachers, and was praised at the attainment of “display of intelligence” of the people who attended the Frenchurch School Growth and Development of the Church The northern blacks having been freed ahead, wanted to bring their churches to their southern counterpart. This has become a challenge in logistics particularly in meeting the various needs of the newly freed slaves and to make them part of a Christian community. For them, the freedom is a promise of merging two religious traditions set apart for almost seventy years of slavery. These are the traditions of ritual and theological teachings that need to be integrated into one common cause. Northern black leaders believed that they could play a major role in adjusting the lives of four million freed slaves to the American way of life. The playing of this role was pioneered by two Northern black leaders who established missions in the south that led to the growth of independent black churches in the southern states in 1865 to 1900. The White sects also did the same thing. The Presbyterian, Congregation and Episcopal churches sent missions; schools were opened for the freed slaves, and gave economic aids. However, most of the African-American blacks preferred to join the independent black churches promoted by the northern states leaders. In a short span of a decade, the African Methodist Episcopal and the Methodist Episcopal Zion claimed to have a hundreds of thousands membership in the south and has outnumbered any other organization. Eventually, other evangelical group joined them, and in 1870 formed the National Baptist Convention which became to be the largest black religious organization in the United States The racial discrimination The freedom of the blacks from slavery gave them opportunity to practice religious faith. But then, there was too much racial discrimination in white churches. In one instance, Bethel Pastor Richard Allen related a black community experience in Philadelphia in 1792. Black leaders were forcibly taken out of the St. Gregory’s Methodist Church, a church they helped to build, when they mistakenly sat in an area not designated for blacks. As a protest, all the blacks in the church went out and never returned. (PBS Home) This incident spurred the interest of Bethel pastor Richard Allen and St. Thomas Pastor Absalon Jones, both former slaves, to form their own church in Philadelphia. In 1794, the Bethel African Methodist and St. Thomas African Episcopal were founded, and both pastors served and exercised civic leadership in the black community. (PBS) The church was the only institution that was controlled by the African-Americans, and it became an important place in meeting their social, political and religious needs. Many of their pastors were former leaders and activist in the abolition movement. Protestant became the major religion of the blacks because they had little association with Roman Catholics outside Maryland and Louisiana. The missionaries contributed largely to the development of the southern blacks. The missions helped build new churches and schools. It had increased literacy rate from 5% in 1870 to 70% by 1900. It had also developed leaders to become involved in politics, education and other areas of profession. The desire of northerners for development of southerners created a tension between the two factions. The northerners consider themselves superior over the southerners and insisted that southerners follow their ideas of worship, work and life. Northerners believed that it is their duty to act as mentors to their brothers in the south. Northern pastors took it as a personal task to educate southerners on the true meaning of Christianity. These pastors wanted to convince southern blacks to give up the old way of worships, such as chanting, moaning and beating of drums. There are also differences of opinions on how to practice Christianity caused by education. Southerners before emancipation were forbidden to learn how to read, and so sees religion as a matter of experience and expression of emotions. This differs from the way northerners believe, who in one way was more literate. Northerners believed that they should be able to read and understand the Bible in order to live a Christian life. But this proposition is not welcomed by all of the southerners. They contended that they have their own ideas and culture. The differences of class and location contributed to the existence of variations in religious beliefs between the two. In time, Protestant churches began to have variety of styles to suit their traditions. The poor and remote rural churches hold on to their old customs and continued with the chanted style of preaching, musical songs and worships. As southerners begin to change lifestyle and be educated, so does their religious style that has changed to conform to the codified northern style of worship. The freedom gave them opportunities of advancement as they learn to integrate in the society. The blacks’ dramatic change began in 1880s when the middle class group of blacks began to be involved in religious activities... They started to have formal churches, schools and colleges, and publications by the end of the 18th century. Their evangelical missions included involvement in interdenominational institutions as in Sunday school movement and YMCA. Force of unity The cohesive force that draws African-Black citizen together and to set aside cultural differences is their battle against racial discrimination that creates social injustices to the blacks. This battle that had worsened after 1870s encouraged the unity of black Protestants for their own protection. The role of Women in the Church and society Raboteau, Albert, in his writings about the History of the Black Church, told about how black women actively participated in the church activities but were rejected ordination to become ministers. Women leaders in the church instead opted to run missionary societies to help the communities. The Oblate Sisters of Providence was founded in 1829 and Holy sisters in 1842. Their works on the society cannot be ignored; they established reading centers and worked for better living conditions of the freed slaves. Among their works of mercy were to admonish to the sick, write in journals and publications to promote traditional ideals of womanhood, respectability and racial uplift. They continued efforts in helping the less fortunate brothers in the south. The memoirs, accounts and histories of the African-American leaders which they have written provides history and data for better understanding of the future generations Women Abolitionists and their campaign for equal rights The important role of women in the USA during the Free Slaves period was that of forming an abolitionist group that pressured Congress and the country. Their campaign experience gave them the confidence to start a feminist movement asking for equal rights for themselves. This crusade was started in 1840 led by women leaders Elizabeth Cady Straton and Lucrecia Mott and was carried on till suffrage rights was granted to women. (ph.answers) The role of women in American revolutions During the American Revolution, the heroism of women, wives and daughters were very significant. They acted as spies; saved forts fed the hungry soldiers, tended the sick and bruised, and went out of their way to gather financial support for the army. They were accepted in the army to serve as cooks, nurses, menders and recreational companions. They brought rations of water into the heart of the battle to quench the thirst of tired and wounded soldiers. They were paid, but it was not an easy life for them, since these women belong to the comfort class of society. They knew the dangers of war, but nonetheless were not afraid of the consequences. One example is the story of Elizabeth Zane who saved Fort Henry in 1782 from enemy attack by “dashing back and forth from the fort to her cabin to replenish the dwindling supply of gunpowder. Carrying in her apron, she was a moving target for hundreds of desperate arrows and bullets but they never met their mark.” A story of Pres. Adams John Adams was told, when he once scolded his wife Abigail for being extremely impatient with his legal tactics. In March 1779 she wrote him a letter stating that "I long to hear that you have declared an independence, and by the way, in the new Code of Laws I desire you would remember the ladies and we are determined to foment a rebellion and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice." Abigail promoted several activities such as making bullets from household pewter. She sacrificed best clothes for the sewing of soldiers’ uniforms. She was able to relay vital military information about the development of enemy troops to her husband, quicker than the normal army intelligence. (Vandegri, P) The changes in the role of the black church in the society today The black church has assumed several roles to the African-American congregation. First it has become a potent political force that Democrats have formed alliance with during the past fifty years. US Presidential candidates have turned to African-American black churches for electoral support. For instance, Rev. Jesse Jackson relied heavily on the black church support during his campaign in 1984 and 1988 elections. Likewise, President Bill Clinton and President George Bush used different strategies to get the black church votes in their respective bids of election. In 2008, a most likely guess is a centralized vote for a black president. The beginning of mega-church Modern times has also introduced innovations in preaching and spreading the gospel. Today, independent and non-denominational churches begin to emerge and attract large numbers of people. Mega-church uses television and internet to reach a large number of people. Gospels of the mega-church and traditional church differ from each other. Mega-church focus on wealth and prosperity; they encouraged tithing or a contribution of a tenth of one’s income for religious purposes. The traditional church considers black issues of social justice and civil rights as major concerns. The old tradition promotes political action while prosperity gospels reduce it. Changes in behavior of church-going There is a big difference in behavior of blacks when it comes to church attendance before and today. Before, blacks were too enthusiastic to church. Today, in the report cited by Farflex, there is a big decline of African-Americans who go to church, although they pray and believe in God, read the Bible regularly and use it as guide in their daily lives. The decline in church attendance has been a demographic trend in America. Comments A black church is not merely an edifice serving the African-Americans but it is to them, a symbol of hope, and a constant reminder of their concerted efforts of struggles in American history. It was their light of hope during the period of slavery and civil rights movements, and the church that made them strong amidst bombings and struggles. A black church was the bond that created a black society; where they can come together and share their Christian beliefs with no inhibitions and fear. Today, aside from its religiosity, the black church has become a powerful institution that is the center of the community’s economic growth The Christian tradition has continued to develop since then. African-American churches became strong communities serving as schools in the early years after the civil war; doing social functions such as looking for the welfare of poor; establishing schools and orphanages and prison ministries. The diminishing interest of Black American Christians in church needs response, awakening and change of the institutional structure. Institutional structure should agree with the needs of the time and society; and should be to a new direction without necessarily compromising the teachings of Jesus Christ. Prosperity gospels of mega-church leaders is making people believe more in a materialistic society wherein gains and blessings are measured in financial terms that is supposed to come from God. People who are down with financial problems are attracted to these prosperity gospels because everybody wants to become rich and powerful. They select Bible teachings that tackle prosperity and interpret these to conform to prosperity gospels they tell at sermons. The issues of church attendance and membership have an implication to the political scene which will be relevant in elections to come. First, whether the un-churched Black Christians can still be motivated by leaders to vote in a centralized pattern, or will they vote at all? Or, is the shift of church direction an indication of a decline of the black’s declining political influence also? Something should be done with the rift of the mega church leaders and the traditional pastors; as well as the southern and northern folks as this will create division among the black Christians. They are supposed to please only one God, but the way it is done is distinct from what God has spoken and written in the Bible, "Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. [Philippians 4:2]" List of references Encyclopedia Britannica. Jazz music. 06 April 2009 http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/301986/jazz/215411/West-Africa-in-the-american-South-gathering-the-musical-elements-of-jaz Farflex. Free Online Library. Righteous politics: the role of the black church in contemporary politics. Cross Currents Education. 05 April 2009 Josiah, Barbara P. Emancipation, Aspects of Village Life in Guyana, 1869-1911. The Journal of Negro History, Vol. 82, 1997. 06 April 2009. http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst?docId=5001523538 Maffly-Kipp, Laurie . May 2001. The church in the southern black community. Documenting the American south. 06 April 2009, Miller, Douglas T. The emancipation proclamation. 06 April 2009 PBS Home The Black Church. Brotherly Love. 06 April 2009 Ph.answers. Why/when did the Women’s rights movement begin? 05 April 2009 http://ph.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080 Raboteau Albert J. History of Black Church. Afro kin store. 06 April 2009. Read More