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I came across an article entitled, “The Perils Of Patronizing” by Michael Gerson, who wrote the following: “Christianity was the religion held by slave masters -- often distorted into an ideology of oppression. But African Americans found a model of liberation in the Exodus. They discovered that Jesus more closely resembled the beaten and lynched slave than their pious oppressors. And African Americans -- by their courageous assertion of God's universal love and man's universal dignity -- redeemed a nation they had entered in chains. But black liberation theology takes this argument a large step further -- or perhaps backward. The Rev. Wright's intellectual mentor, professor James Cone of Union Theological Seminary, retreats from the universality of Christianity. "Black theology," says Cone, "refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him." And again: "Black theology will accept only the love of God which participates in the destruction of the white enemy." And again: "In the New Testament, Jesus is not for all, but for the oppressed, the poor and unwanted of society, and against oppressors." The black community is in large part driven to Christianity, or had it handed down to them rather, from a very young age. It’s the crux of our community to a large degree as we gather together on Sunday mornings to commune, worship and socialize. It may be perhaps where we are most connected, especially if one doesn’t reside in a predominantly black neighborhood or community. As a child, for instance, the church was the only place I was exposed to my culture as a whole. So, given Gerson’s words, I have to ask, what is your take on your religion? How do you feel about it and define it? What are your views? Gerson, M. (2008). The Perils Of Patronizing. Retrieved April 24, 2010 from The Washington Post. Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...
Posted By: Maryanne Campbell
Saturday, April 24th 2010 at 7:10PM
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“So, given Gerson’s words, I have to ask, what is your take on your religion? How do you feel about it and define it? What are your views?”
Maryanne: What a profound series of questions. People write books about the subject. I think it will be interesting to see what kind of response you get.
What is MY take on religion?
It can be a highly personal, intimate, sincere search for the presence of the Living God.
Or it can be membership in a group of like minded people in a community.
It can be liberating and loving. It can be rigid, intolerant and tyrannical. it can be deeply spiritual. Or it can be mechanical and superficial. It can be real and it can be phony.
I think it all depends on the individual seeker.
But, the bottom line is that every individual has the freedom to practice religion as he or she sees fit. Or to practice no religion at all.
How do I feel about it?
As the worlds most ancient scripture, the Rig Veda says, ‘GOD IS ONE. WE KNOW HIM BY MANY NAMES.”
Seeking the divine presence in my life, my words and actions is something I strive for. I strongly believe the essence of the divine is expressed in 1 John 4:16—“GOD IS LOVE. AND HE THAT DWELLETH IN LOVE DWELLETH IN GOD AND GOD IN HIM.”
How do I define religion?
It comes from the Latin word “religio” which means to care for, to respect.
The Latin root of the word “religion” is the Latin word “ligare”, to bind, to yoke, to join, to connect. We get our word “ligament” from “ligare”. It means any bonding structure, any connecting element.
So, I define religion as a system of thought and a way of life that connects, binds, unifies a person with the divine.
However, there isn’t only one definition. Everyone has the opportunity and the right to define it as they see fit.
Just a word of thanks for presenting such a serious, momentous question. You forced me to think about the subject more deeply. It is possible to give a quick superficial answer to your question. But that doesn’t do justice to the search for God by all humankind throughout the ages on every continent.
What a question!!!
Thank you for offering it!
Saturday, April 24th 2010 at 9:12PM
Richard Kigel
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[I think it all depends on the individual seeker. ]
I concur with Brother Rich in that it depends on the individual. I don't go to (church) to mingle or mix up with the other church goers. I go to church out of obligation to fulfill the hebrews 10:25 commandment. If not for that reason, I'd not go at all. I love God, but I don't care for the concept of organized religion.
Sunday, April 25th 2010 at 3:34AM
Jen Fad
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Jen... I'm with you... When I go to church it's to surround my self with the saints(most time they arent there) but I myself, am in a higher spiritual ground. A church is a dwelling designed as a meeting place for saints to gather and worship... But the church is in you.... That's what GOD looks at most...
Honestly, I have a problem with organized religion... I have come across so my hyporitcs in the church I attend... It was so overwhelming... That I stopped going so much... I felt it was taking away from my spiritual growth... After servics I would find myself in idol gossip about the church members, the pastor and his off beat remarks.. and the choir... I realized that my church was not healthy.
Sunday, April 25th 2010 at 4:28AM
Cynthia Merrill Artis
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Maryanne Campbell,
Excellent Scholarship-
gerson said, "“Christianity was the religion held by slave masters .....But African Americans found a model of liberation in the Exodus."
So does this mean that paganChristianEuropeans were Pharoah---
A Tribe of Men that ruled and thought they were Creator?
and does this mean that the AfricanAmericaSlaves were the jews, led by Musa out of the wilderness?
neither of these two groups filled this description. no Musa, no Destruction of Pharoah, no wandering for their home--
the slave 1865---that slave was liberated;
yet THAT slave took the American of european paganAncestry as their 'God'----Pharoah........
THAT slave committed, in my opinion, a Great Crime against Humanity --
THAT slave acknowledged that kidnap, rape, pedeophilia, and murder were the attributes of their 'God'-and allowed Pharoah or masterPaganChristian to "really" believe he was 'God'.
no, maryanne, the africanAmerican community, in my opinion, is not driven to Christianity it is driven to love of Pharoah----a false Human 'God' ---
despised by the Monotheistic Thought, the Family of Adaam, of the Followers of Musa, isaIbnMaryam and the Muslim.
Sunday, April 25th 2010 at 8:17AM
robert powell
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Wow!
Already this has been a fascinating exchange of ideas. Each one of us has had some signficant insight to contribute and from a different perspective.
We have an N.D. Buddhist, a Muslim, and several of us who attend a house of worship in the Christian tradition without feeling bound by the doctrines of what we call "organized" religion.
Some people have an innate sense that there is a God and that we are spiritual beings but do not feel that they need to belong to a particular religion in order to find that Divine Power. It is possible to find the presence of God during a silent walk in the woods or on a beach or even watching a sunset or just gazing at the night sky.
Anything that shows how insigificant we are compared to the Creator brings us to some deep spiritual insights.
Anything that shows us how to love, how to share goodness, how to stand up against the forces of evil, that is spirituality.
Organized religion is where folks attend a particular place, a church, a mosque, even a storefront or a private house, where fellow faithful gather and say pre-written prayers and sing praises to God together in communal worship.
Organized religion has rules and regulations, doctrines, beliefs and practices that the failthful must follow if they want to remain in good standing with the congregation.
In spiritual seeking, there are no rules, no doctrines, no requirements and no organization. These folks believe that God is everywhere and can be found inside each of us so why would we need to join an organization to find Him?
And, as so many of you have said, everyone has to find his or her own way in this.
Different strokes for different folks.
That's the way it has always been. And that is the way it always will be.
Sunday, April 25th 2010 at 1:49PM
Richard Kigel
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Hey Hannah:
I just now read the beautiful insight you shared--and I wonder--is that anything you learned inside a house of worship? Or is that something you knew inside yourself?
Sunday, April 25th 2010 at 1:51PM
Richard Kigel
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Wow!!!
Those are profound philosophical insights.
People write books and poetry and music about these questions of life.
I am willing to bet that you came to this deep knowledge from inside your self using your own mind and your own observations of the world.
I bet you did not receive this deepl knowledge in any house of worship or as a result of organized religion.
Clearly, you have discovered the ancient knowledge of God on your own.
That, in my opinion, is true spirituality. And it is available to every man, woman and child on the planet.
Sunday, April 25th 2010 at 4:15PM
Richard Kigel
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These comments shows what many spiritual masters have learned. It is possible to arrive at the same truth by very different paths.
I believe that if someone follows his or her own religious tradition with faith , love and charity, each one will arrive at the same place of peace.
You all show how valid that is.
Sunday, April 25th 2010 at 7:38PM
Richard Kigel
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For Clark--I would call him THE "PROFESSOR" because of his Ph. D level of knowledge, insight and expertise in government and public affairs.
He is an educator at heart, a clear, informed, lucid and inspiring one at that. He has taught me so much already!!!
He will always be "The Professor" to me.
Monday, April 26th 2010 at 8:45AM
Richard Kigel
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You get an AMEN for that one Rich aka brother Cow. I am always true to my self under any label...even aka 'Shorty' lol (smile)
O.K. Clark you still don't have a nick name yet...
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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great, how about that Clark?...
sorry for going off topic. (smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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hannah, what your just commented on was what we in my practice call BUDDAH NATURE or we all have the powers to : do, see, good/bad, and why "I" have no problems with any religion or any individual..if it works in ones life to make them a WINNER OVER ANY AND ALL OBSTICLES IN LIFE...GO FOR IT...you are the only 'expert' on your own self...no one has to teach anyone how to feel happingess, pain, sight, fear ect. as we are all born with the ability to survive and to communicat in one way or the other. right ?!?....
Your comment also ( to me)is what "I" learned as a Christian and still believe, because "I" am an individual, and this is SEEK AND YE SHALL FIND. (smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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...so sorry...I meant to say "I" never say,My N.D. Buddhist religion"...
but " my N. D. practice....(smile)...and, once again "I" take this time to once again to thank my Christian friends for helping me to realize...the ABUSE of the Christain faith...LOV AND RESPECT...
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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Thank you so much Clark and what you just explained is way I never say "I" have a "practice" that teachs peace and happiness and would rather used the word "spiritual". I use spiritual as with this "I" can better see the individual..or see the deed and not the label is what makes that individual as worthy or respect or not.(smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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jen, it would be so nice if you would do a blog about what you mean about organized religion...do you still attend Mass, Jen?!? YOu see I can't fully understand what the two of you mean by what you and Cynthia said as all religions have a set of rules / rituals when you go to church.
We visit each others homes, we pray, we chant but when we chant we are actually saying workd in rythm and as we do it there are others in 198 different countrys doing the same thing...then we have a discussion meeting sometimes it is sort of we have read somethig for that month or weekly meeting and we discuss it, have quwstions and answers,,,then we either have snacks and socialize or have so much food one cn never be able to eat it all...
Sometimes we study the Christian religion as most of us are former Christians and th eBuddhist there may have been in another form of Buddhism,,,we have a lot of spanish people...but as I said recently, I am now learning about the Shiks...I still find it hard to beleive theris has never cahange,,,I must start studying the first Guru...OH, well It is some what compclicated as I have never read about this religion before.
I have always wanted to learn about Santara...a person told me she would help me get started, but she is no longer on the site,...my eyes are closing again...good night...please do the blog Jen it would be different and very interesting...learning is always great, (smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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# ..."RELIGION" "I" BELIEVE IS ONE OF THE MOST MISUSED WORDS THERE IS BESIDES , "I AM SORRY"...
but, THERE ARE THREE THINGS I SEE COMMON IN ALL RELIGIONS..
1.EXPLAINIG AFTER DEATH WHAT HAPPENS TO US.
2.CONTROLING HUMAN BEHAVIORS.
3. excuses to be : PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATIONS and not treating others as one wants to be treated.
My religion which is N.D. Buddhist demands only one thing, BE RESPONISBLE FOR YOUR OWN CAUSES YOU MAKE AND THE EFFECTS FROM THEM. i LOVE THE LACK OF DEPENDANCY OR BEING ABLE TO BLAME A bAD gOD IF THINGS GO WRONG...BECAUSE "i" CAN NOT TKE MYSELF OUT OF MY OWN LIFE. WHICH IF i COMMIT A MURDER "i" CAN NOT GO TO CONFESSION AND BE FORGIVEN... "I"MUST FACE MANS LAW AND MY OWN CONSCIOUS WHILE ALIVE(SMILE)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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My tkae on religion, Maryanne is th same now s it was from the moment as a Catholic learning that if not for the Pope using is Holy Bible to prove that Africans were not human therefre making it legal in America for my people to be treated as property and theching straight from the Holy Bible that the faster we worked our selves to death9 the happy slave) athe better chance we had to gain a way to get the souls needed to get intoheaven...is still the same...
so glad we still have so much VOO DOO at least in the Black Churches.Lerned this about the same time "I" learned why we speak Ebonics and a whole lot of tings taht makes me so proud to be a member of this UNIQUE RACE still resisting ALL OF OUR CULTURE NOT BEING TAUGHT OUT OF SOME OF US, LIKE ME.(smile)
AND, NO AS A MAJOR IN BLACK HISTORY, FOR ME THAT ABOUT THE BLACK LIBERATION MINISTER IS A MYTH..."I" ALSO BELIEVE THAT WE (as in ALL of mankind)ALREADY HAVE FAR, FAR TOO MANY THINGS KEEPING US AT EACH OTHER'S FREEDOM OF RELIGIONs put downs...
AGAIN, SPEAKING ONLY FOR MY SELF...(S-M-I-L-E)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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Maryanne Campbell,
Excellent Scholarship-
gerson said,
“Christianity was the religion held by slave masters
.....But African Americans found a model of liberation in the Exodus."
So does this mean that paganChristian racistEuropeans were Pharoah---
------ A Tribe of paganMen that ruled and thought they were Creator?
and does this mean that the AfricanAmericaSlaves were the jews, led by Musa(as) out of the wilderness?
neither of these two groups filled this description.
no Musa(as), no Destruction of paganPharaoah no wandering for their home-- no Prophet--no Commandments
That Generationally UNEDUCATED African slave 1865---that slave was liberated;
yet
THAT slave took the American of european paganChristianity as their 'God'----Pharaoh........
THAT slave committed, in my opinion, the Greatest Crime against Humanity -- Ever
THAT slave acknowledged that kidnap, rape, pedophilia, sadomasochism and murder were
the attributes of their 'God'--- -and allowed Pharaoh or masterPaganChristian to "really" believe he was 'God'.
-----------no, maryanne, the africanAmerican community, in my opinion, is not driven to Christianity
it is driven to love of Pharoah----a false Human 'God' --- despised by African Asian Monotheistic Thought,
the Family of Adaam(as), and all Words of Creator from, Torah to AzZaboor to AlQur'aan
Thursday, June 1st 2017 at 7:00PM
robert powell
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