Why are Black people still Christian?

Summary

This video explores the complex relationship between Black Americans and Christianity, questioning why 79% still identify as Christians despite the historical role of the religion in their oppression. The host speaks with Claudia Allen, a Christian preacher, and Dr. Anthony Pinn, a religious scholar turned atheist, who offer contrasting views. The discussion touches on slavery, the exploitation of Black communities, and the role of the Black church in social justice. It ultimately asks deep existential questions about faith, suffering, and whether God is on the side of Black people.

Takeaways

• 📜 Christianity has been historically used by white Christians to justify slavery, often manipulating Bible verses and theology to support their actions.
• 💒 Despite Christianity being used as a tool of oppression, a significant majority of Black Americans (79%) still identify as Christians, more than any other group in the U.S.
• ❓ The existential question posed: Does God hate Black people? This is driven by the fact that darker-skinned people face discrimination globally, often being at the bottom of social hierarchies.
• 📖 Religious scholar Anthony Pinn argues that there's little historical evidence to suggest that God is on the side of the oppressed, particularly Black people, citing their continued suffering.
• ✝️ Claudia Allen, a Christian preacher, argues that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are deeply tied to the suffering experienced by Black and brown people, positioning Jesus as a figure of liberation for the oppressed.
• 🌍 The conversation contrasts historical Black Christianity and its ties to African origins, such as in Ethiopia and Ghana, with the colonizer's manipulation of religion to subjugate African people.
• 🏛️ The Black church has historically been a platform for political and social progress for Black Americans, with leaders like Henry McNeal Turner asserting a strong sense of racial pride, including the idea that 'God is a Negro.'
• 📉 However, the Black church has also been critiqued for its shortcomings, particularly in addressing issues beyond race, such as gender, sexuality, and respectability politics.
• 🧠 Increasing numbers of Black people are identifying as atheists or secular humanists, questioning the role and relevance of the church in their lives and responding to movements like Black Lives Matter.
• 🤔 The speaker reflects on their own journey through Christianity, noting that reading the entire Bible reveals a message of liberation for the oppressed, and that anti-Blackness is a choice made by people, not a product of God's will.

Q & A

Why does the speaker believe Christianity has been a tool of oppression for Black people?

The speaker argues that Christianity has historically been used to justify and maintain systems of oppression, including slavery. White Christians used Bible verses to justify enslaving Black people, and some even refused to baptize them at one point, fearing it might conflict with enslavement. Christianity has also been exploited by prosperity preachers who have taken advantage of Black communities.

What is the paradox the speaker highlights about Black Americans and Christianity?

The paradox is that despite Christianity being historically used as a tool of oppression, a staggering 79% of Black Americans identify as Christians, which is higher than any other group in the U.S. This contradiction leads to the speaker questioning why Black people continue to adhere to a faith that has been used against them.

What key question does Dr. Anthony Pinn raise about God and Black suffering?

Dr. Pinn asks whether God hates Black people, given that they have disproportionately suffered throughout history. He questions why, if God is loving, kind, and compassionate, Black people continue to endure more suffering than other groups, suggesting that this might imply divine indifference or even dislike toward Black people.

How does Claudia Allen counter Dr. Pinn’s argument about Black suffering and Christianity?

Claudia Allen counters by arguing that Black and brown people’s experiences of suffering are akin to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. She claims that no other group has endured suffering in a way that mirrors Christ’s story, which is why she sees Jesus as experientially, if not racially, Black.

What historical argument does Claudia present to suggest that Christianity is not solely the religion of oppressors?

Claudia highlights that Christianity was present in Africa long before European colonization, citing Ethiopia’s Christian heritage and the Akan people of Ghana, who had creation narratives similar to those of the Hebrew Bible. This indicates that Christianity had African roots, contradicting the notion that it is purely a 'white man's religion.'

How did the Black church historically function as a political and economic force in the U.S.?

The Black church served as one of the first organizations that was for and by Black people. It provided an economic foundation for Black ministers and communities, allowing them to advocate for the well-being of Black people without fear of losing their livelihood. It also became a center for political mobilization and community empowerment.

What is Dr. Pinn’s critique of the Black church’s handling of issues beyond race?

Dr. Pinn critiques the Black church for focusing almost exclusively on race while failing to adequately address other forms of oppression, such as gender, sexuality, and economic issues. He argues that the church’s respectability politics often prevented it from engaging more expansively with these other dimensions of marginalization.

Why are more Black people identifying as atheists or secular humanists today, according to Dr. Pinn?

Dr. Pinn suggests that more Black people are becoming comfortable naming themselves as atheists or secular humanists because the dominance of the Black church is being legitimately challenged. Movements like Black Lives Matter, the rise of social media, and cultural shifts in thinking have provided new frameworks for Black people to engage with the world outside of religious traditions.

What personal reasons does the speaker give for continuing to identify as a Christian?

The speaker cites three reasons: (1) Christianity is an Eastern religion that needs to be understood separately from its Westernized, capitalist form; (2) he has read the Bible and sees that it presents God as being on the side of the oppressed; and (3) the Bible emphasizes human choice, and he believes much of the harm done in history is the result of human decisions, not divine will.

How does the speaker reconcile the Bible’s portrayal of Jesus with the suffering of Black people?

The speaker suggests that the Bible, when read in its entirety, shows Jesus as someone who lived in poverty, challenged systems of oppression, and identified with the marginalized. This portrayal of Jesus resonates with the Black experience of suffering and offers a message of hope and liberation for oppressed people.

Outlines

00:00

🚢 The Dark History of Christianity and Slavery

This paragraph explores the historical relationship between Christianity and the oppression of Black people, beginning with the slave trade. It highlights how Christianity was used to justify slavery, with white Christians manipulating theology to enslave baptized Black individuals. The paragraph critiques the role of prosperity preachers in exploiting Black parishioners and raises the provocative question: why do so many Black people still identify as Christians despite this history of oppression?

05:02

📉 The Global Disparity for Darker-Skinned People

This section questions whether God favors or dislikes Black people, citing the global mistreatment of darker-skinned individuals. It discusses the pervasive social hierarchies that place Black people at the bottom, even in Black-majority nations, where skin-lightening products are popular. The paragraph reflects on Africa's immense resources and rich cultural history but laments how colonial powers have devastated the continent without consequences. It calls into question the role of divine justice in alleviating centuries of suffering.

10:03

✝️ A Personal Journey with Christianity and Doubt

The speaker reflects on their personal experience with faith, once a pastor who traveled the world preaching, baptizing, and teaching. They mention how persistent questions have gnawed at their belief system, leading them to seek answers. This search led them to interviews with two individuals—Claudia Allen, a devout Christian preacher, and Dr. Anthony Pinn, a former pastor turned atheist—both offering different perspectives on Christianity's role in the Black community.

15:03

🧐 Dr. Pinn's Critical View on God's Relationship with Black People

In this section, Dr. Anthony Pinn, a scholar and atheist, challenges the notion that God is on the side of the oppressed, specifically Black people. He questions the historical evidence supporting the idea that God has acted on behalf of Black people in North America, arguing that every moment of progress is countered by systemic setbacks. Pinn provocatively suggests that if God exists, He may not favor Black people, given their disproportionate suffering.

20:03

📖 Claudia's Argument: Jesus as a Symbol for Black Suffering

Claudia Allen offers a counterpoint to Dr. Pinn, arguing that Jesus Christ's life mirrors the suffering of Black and brown people, though not racially Black, but experientially. She recounts the story of Jesus, born into poverty and subjected to state-sanctioned violence, drawing parallels to the struggles of marginalized people today. Allen asserts that Jesus' life and resurrection are a reflection of the lived experiences of Black and brown communities, suggesting that Christianity is deeply connected to their narrative.

🌍 Black Christianity's Ancient Roots and Misconceptions

This part debunks the myth that Christianity is merely a 'white man's religion,' by emphasizing its deep historical presence in Africa, particularly Ethiopia. Claudia highlights the continent's rich Christian tradition that predates European colonialism, pointing out that Christianity in Africa was not simply imposed but organically evolved in various regions. The paragraph also reflects on how Christianity has historically been both a source of empowerment and a tool for oppression within the Black community.

⚖️ The Black Church's Dual Role in Social Justice and Conservatism

This paragraph explores how Black churches have historically navigated the intersection of religion and politics, producing leaders like Henry McNeal Turner who challenged white supremacy by asserting that 'God is a Negro.' While the Black church has been pivotal in fostering community and social justice, it has also struggled with issues like gender, sexuality, and respectability politics. The focus on racial justice has often sidelined other forms of marginalization, such as those faced by women, LGBTQ individuals, and other minorities.

🎤 Secularism and the Growing Challenge to the Black Church

This section addresses the rise of secularism among Black people, particularly in the wake of movements like Black Lives Matter, which has challenged the traditional dominance of the Black church. It points out how new cultural influences, such as hip-hop, have reshaped religious thought, with artists like Tupac and Jay-Z reinterpreting religious themes. The influence of secular humanism and the growing number of Black atheists reflect a shift away from institutional religion as Black communities rethink their spiritual and social engagement.

🤔 Deconstructing Faith: The Author’s Personal Reassessment

In this segment, the speaker confesses to going through a 'deconstruction' of their faith, grappling with discomfort around modern Christian nationalism. They explain why they still resonate with Christianity despite its flaws. First, Christianity’s Middle Eastern roots separate it from the modern Western version. Second, reading the Bible holistically reveals that God sides with the oppressed. Third, they highlight the Bible’s recurring theme of choice and human responsibility, suggesting that anti-Black oppression is a product of human choices, not divine will.

📚 Colonialism, Christianity, and the Power of Choice

The speaker challenges the notion that God is responsible for the historical and ongoing oppression of Black people, arguing instead that these are the consequences of human choice. By revisiting the writings of white colonialists, they show how anti-Black policies were deliberate decisions. The paragraph emphasizes that understanding the Bible correctly involves recognizing that human free will plays a central role, and blaming God for systemic oppression is a misreading of scripture.

🙏 Hope and Resilience: The Black Church’s Legacy

The final paragraph reflects on why many Black people remain Christians despite a long history of suffering. The speaker suggests that the promise of a better future, as outlined in the Bible, offers powerful hope. They acknowledge the therapeutic role of faith and how the Black church, despite its flaws, has been a vehicle for creating art, expression, and movements that have profoundly influenced the world. The speaker concludes by inviting discussion on faith and Christianity within their community.

Keywords

💡Slavery

Slavery refers to the forced enslavement of African people, which was historically justified by white Christians using Bible verses. The video highlights the role of Christianity in both enabling and resisting slavery, noting that despite its oppressive use, many Black Americans continue to identify with the religion. Slavery is a central theme in understanding how faith and oppression are intertwined.

💡Prosperity Preachers

Prosperity preachers refer to religious leaders who promote the idea that faith can lead to wealth and success, often exploiting poor congregations for personal gain. The video criticizes both Black and white preachers for scamming millions of dollars from impoverished Black parishioners. This highlights the theme of how religion, particularly Christianity, has been used to exploit Black people economically.

💡Oppression

Oppression is a key concept in the video, describing the systemic mistreatment and exploitation of Black people globally. The video argues that Christianity has historically been a tool of oppression, yet many Black Americans still hold onto the faith. This tension between faith and oppression is a central focus of the discussion.

💡Colonialism

Colonialism refers to the domination and exploitation of African nations by European powers. The video describes how colonial powers pillaged African resources and divided nations, with long-lasting negative consequences. This connects to the theme of how Black people have endured widespread suffering, often questioning why God would allow such oppression to continue.

💡Theology

Theology refers to the study of religious beliefs, and in this context, it explores how Christian theology has evolved to justify slavery and later incorporate Black Christians. The video explains how white Christians shifted their theology to baptize enslaved people and continue their oppression, showcasing the complex relationship between religion and race.

💡African Christianity

African Christianity refers to the long-standing presence of Christian beliefs on the African continent, predating European colonization. The video mentions Ethiopia's Christian roots and other African religious traditions that align with Judeo-Christian narratives, arguing that Christianity was not solely brought to Africa by colonizers. This challenges the notion that Christianity is a 'white man's religion.'

💡Black Atheism

Black atheism refers to the growing number of Black individuals who identify as atheists, rejecting Christianity due to its historical use in their oppression. The video introduces Dr. Anthony Pinn, a former pastor turned atheist, who questions the existence of a God that would allow Black people to suffer disproportionately. This highlights the growing secularization within the Black community.

💡Respectability Politics

Respectability politics is the idea that marginalized groups must conform to the norms of the dominant culture to gain acceptance or equal treatment. The video critiques how Black churches often adopt these politics, striving to mirror white societal norms in hopes of achieving equality, but at the expense of addressing deeper issues like sexism and homophobia within the church.

💡Jesus as Black

The video presents the concept of 'Jesus as Black,' not racially but experientially. It argues that the life of Jesus, characterized by poverty, oppression, and persecution, mirrors the experiences of Black and brown people. This interpretation connects the struggles of marginalized people to the suffering and resurrection of Jesus, offering a more relatable version of Christianity for Black believers.

💡Black Church

The Black Church refers to the religious institutions that have historically been central to the Black community, serving as places of worship, political activism, and social organization. The video acknowledges the Black Church’s role in nurturing progressive movements but also critiques its shortcomings in addressing issues like gender and sexuality.

Highlights

One of the first slave ships that brought black people to the New World was named 'Jesus,' and white Christians used Bible verses to justify slavery.

There was a time when white Christians wouldn't baptize black people because they were unsure if it was acceptable to enslave fellow Christians.

Black and white prosperity preachers have scammed millions of dollars from faithful black parishioners living in American slums.

Despite Christianity being used as a tool of oppression for black people, 79% of black Americans identify as Christians, a higher percentage than any other group in the U.S.

Dr. Anthony B. Pinn, a religious scholar and former pastor turned atheist, questions if there is any historical evidence that God is on the side of the oppressed.

Claudia Allen, a Christian preacher, argues that no group has experienced suffering akin to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ like black and brown people.

Dr. Pinn challenges black Christians by arguing that perhaps black people are not God's 'favored community' like the Israelites but rather more akin to the Canaanites, who suffered.

Claudia Allen presents the argument that Jesus, while not racially black, was experientially black due to his lived experiences of poverty, oppression, and unjust execution.

African nations, such as Ethiopia, had direct connections with early Christianity, receiving teachings from disciples of Jesus, dispelling the notion that Christianity is solely a 'white man’s religion.'

The black church in the U.S. became the first organization by and for black people, playing a crucial role in nurturing the political and social activism of black Americans.

The dominance of the black church has been increasingly challenged, particularly by the rise of secular humanism, atheism, and the spiritual but not religious movement within the black community.

The hip-hop community has contributed to the rethinking of religious identity, with artists like Kanye West, Tupac, and Jay-Z referencing themselves as gods or religious figures.

Henry McNeal Turner, a black preacher from the late 1800s, boldly claimed that 'God is a Negro' and argued that the U.S. flag was a 'dirty rag' until black people were treated properly.

Slave owners deliberately removed parts of the Bible, such as the Book of Exodus, from 'slave Bibles' to prevent black people from being radicalized by stories of liberation.

The Bible, when read in full, reveals a narrative where God is on the side of the oppressed and against the oppressors, even when the oppressors are his chosen people.

Transcripts

one of the first slaveships that brought

black people to the new world was named

Jesus white Christians used Bible verses

and bible stories to justify slavery

there was a time when white Christians

wouldn't baptize black people because

they weren't sure if it was okay to

enslave Christians they quickly changed

their theology baptized their black

slaves and forthrightly sent them back

to the fields to work four both black

and white Prosperity preachers have

scammed millions of dollars from

faithful black parishioners living in

American slums five it is an undeniable

fact that Christianity has been a tool

of Oppression for black people all

throughout the world and yet today black

Americans identify as Christians at a

staggering 79% higher than any other

group in this country so the question is

why are black people still Christians

and and while we're at it I I actually

think there's a more pressing more

existential question that needs an

answer does God hate black people in

nearly every country on every continent

around the world darker skinned people

are treated poorly by nearly every

measurable standard so-called black

people are at the bottom of the social

hierarchy everywhere so much so that a

majority black countries like Haiti and

Nigeria skin lightning creams are wildly

popular anything to gain some proximity

to whiteness and some distance from

Blackness Africa is Rich with natural

resources boundless human potential

unfathomable wisdom and Brilliant

cultural traditions and yet Colonial

Powers have have pillaged exploited and

divided Nations and people in ways that

are frankly irreparable all without

consequence I mean I don't know you

think that God would help us out a

little bit we've been through a lot God

maybe there's a there's a Bible verse

that that we can look to and the Lord

will make you the head and not the tail

you shall be above only and not be

beneath who is this verse about not only

do black people identify as Christians

at a higher rate half of black Americans

report attending church at least once a

week I was one of them in fact I was a

pastor for a number of years I've

preached all over the country and world

I've given Bible studies I've baptized

folks I have been in it and these

questions have been nagging me for a

while so in this video we're going to

get some answers I talked to a couple of

people one of them is my friend Claudia

uh my name is Claudia Allen she is

easily one of the most conscious people

I know she's well read tapped into

history and literature A person who is

thinking about race class and Power in

very critical ways but she's also a

Christian a preacher and a committed

member of her church there is no other

people group on the face of the planet

who has experienced the kind of

suffering that is akin to the life death

and resurrection of Jesus Christ like

black and brown people no other group

since she is well aware of what's

happening in in the world I wanted to

hear her reasons for Keeping the Faith

but I also spoke to Dr Anthony B pen

well my birth name is Anthony Bernard

pen but most folks over the course of my

life called me Tony he's a religious

scholar a former Pastor just like me and

now an atheist and I think his

perspective is important in this

conversation where is the historical

evidence to support the claim that God

is on the side of the oppressed right

what is the historical evidence that

suggests God is on the side of black

folks in North America working on their

behalf because every moment of progress

has been countered and if you stick

around at the end I'll share how I'm

thinking about my faith today so let's

dig

in I first encountered Dr pinn's work

when I was in seminary I couldn't find

the exact article that I read way back

when but it essentially argued that

there is no God but if there was a God

he clearly hated black people does God

hate black people I mean I I I think

that's an important question a question

that too many black theists have ignored

right if you look at our experience it

is overwhelmingly tied to suffering and

true all folks suffer but this is

disproportionate and unto death and it

ought to force us to raise the question

if God is loving kind just and

compassionate and concerned with folks

and can make stuff happen and black

folks still still suffer

disproportionately then maybe that God

doesn't like black

people cuz white folks in general right

as a group seem to be doing all

right black folks as a whole not doing

so well and forget about the kind of

misery that black women

face or black Trans folks I forget about

that kind of misery just in general

there is an overwhelming experience of

misery and again if God is loving kind

just compassionate concerned with folks

and can make stuff happen and black

folks are disproportionately suffering

then maybe God doesn't like black folks

it's a wrestled it's a question that's

got to be wrestled with and black

Christians in particular haven't

wrestled with it because they read the

Bible assuming they are the favored

Community right they are the equivalent

of the children of Israel but if you

look at our experience in the context of

North America you can make a reasonable

argument perhaps a more reasonable

argument that we are the Canaanites the

moabites the Hittites the folks who get

a

whooping right so it seems to me that is

a question that is Central that has to

be wrestled with but black theists have

ignored it on the other hand Christians

like Claudia would argue that Dr pin is

wrong and that the life of Jesus is

proof that he is wrong the reason I I

would would say there is a case for

Christ as black as res and not

necessarily racially got to be clear not

necessarily racially black but

experientially black and that case is

that this God put on human

flesh and when he was born was born in

the midst of a

genocide flees to Egypt with his parents

as a Refugee seeking Asylum to then grow

up in a working class community of

Nazareth black and brown people who were

uh had no socioeconomic wealth or uh

political position or station and this

brown

man um who hid in

Egypt uh

literally um goes about the Gaza

Strip teaching brown people about

Creator God he was disrupting the

cultural system of not speaking to women

he disrupted the cultural system of of

not engaging with the unlearned he

touched the lepers he healed the sick um

and then because he did all of those

things he is falsely

accused and he's arrested in the middle

of the night and we just got out of

Easter weekend right they take him all

right and he's literally before the

Sanhedrin they are desperately trying to

pin him for a crime he did not commit he

dies in the middle of two criminals with

the ex with the greatest grossest

execution known to human history there

is no other people group on the face of

the planet who has experienced the kind

of suffering that is akin to the life

death and resurrection of Jesus Christ

like black and brown people no other

group in human history and what is

fascinating about that to me Garrison is

that black and brown people make up 80%

of Humanity on the globe a very

small m minority group is currently

experiencing Global power and their

lived

experience is not that of a crucified

savior it is that of a Roman and

religious

power that is why we can say like James

con that Jesus was black I grew up in

the West End of Atlanta which means that

for as long as I can remember I've heard

Hebrew Israelites and five perers and

folks in the Nation of Islam describe

Christianity as the white man's religion

this idea that black Christians were

essentially worshiping the god of their

oppressor and Claudia had something to

say about the history of Christianity in

black or African possession I think

everyone knows that Ethiopia has always

been a Christian Nation um but Ethiopia

also was at this really important

intersection of international trade we

get Ethiopia as this Christian Nation

because they had constant contact with

the direct Disciples of Jesus Christ who

were eyewitnesses to his life death and

Resurrection um but then even outside of

Ethiopia even if we go to Ghana with the

aan people um who also had their own

creation narrative that is very similar

uh to the creation Narrative of the

Hebrew scriptures where they even name

deed the Creator God uh the god of

Saturday right so there has always been

this uh very

present um belief in the judeo-christian

God on the continent far prior to the

the Portuguese first coming um to take

slaves in 1471 and while Christianity

has been an incredibly powerful and

positive force in the black community

Community nurturing our most Progressive

and effective voices it's impossible to

ignore the most regressive elements

present in the FI well from very early

on black church figures tried to

publicly reimagine the position of black

folks within the context United States

yeah so one of my favorites is Henry

mcneel Turner Henry mcneel Turner in the

late 1800s in Atlanta Georgia argued

that God is a Negro

pause

1800s Atlanta Georgia God is a Negro he

also argued that the flag of the United

States is a dirty Rag and will remain so

until black folks are treated

properly so you get these sorts of

figures who are moving between the

church and political life right he holds

several

appointments other ministers are are

moving into political office and then

you move through the decades and you get

someone like Adam Clayton PA Junior

right so you get churches that are sure

enough involved in the political process

and this was fruitful one because these

churches were economically

independent so these ministers by and

large could work for the well-being of

black folks without worrying about

paychecks the black church was the first

organization for and by for and by black

folks so the church becomes an easy

mechanism black folks could use to be be

involved it gave them a theology that

included them they were made in the

image of God yes that black folks had

deep importance and and significance and

provided them with opportunities to live

that in public both as individuals and

as a

collective so the black church has

played that sort of role but the black

church has played that role almost

exclusively in relationship to race so

it hasn't dealt well with issues of

gender and sex ISM forget about its

ability to deal with sexuality what

happens to a trans population within

black churches right so they worked hard

to try to get race right but we are not

onedimensional beings right we are not

beings who are simply defined by

anti-blackness in terms of race there

are a variety of ways in which this

Society has tried to marginalize if not

kill us and black churches have been

reluctant to address that I think one of

the short shortcomings of black churches

why they have not been willing to engage

a much more expansive agenda is because

of respectability

politics if we look like white folks if

we sound like white folks if we

structure our individual and Collective

lives in ways that mimic white folks

they will have to appreciate us so we've

reached the point again where black

churches the the dominance of black

churches is being consistently

challenged by pointing out its

shortcomings and we also have new

vocabulary new grammar new ways of

naming our positions in the world that

are enhanced and spread so very

effectively through social media so

black folks know their options they know

I'm a secular humanist and I'm not alone

why is that why are more black people

identifying as atheist um today wh why

is that happening why are more black

folks identifying as atheists today I I

think what is happening is um a greater

degree of comfort with naming what they

have

been right black atheist and secular

humanist didn't just pop on the scene

recently we have

existed but we've reached a moment in

history in which the dominance of the

black church

is being legitimately challenged right

legitimately challenged and this has

been more graphic over the past three

decades with the spiritual but not

religious right or the those who claim

no particular religious affiliation the

percentage of black folks who move in

one of those two directions is

noteworthy the dominance of the black

church has been

fractured in more recent years I think

some of that is a result of the ways in

which black lives matters for example

has given us opportunity to rethink our

engagement with the world and to rethink

our meaning making processes and to

think black life in ways that push

against the ways in which black churches

have confined it it's also the case that

if you think in terms of hip-hop a major

influence within the context United

States there has been a softening a

signifying a rethinking of these

dominant the IC themes so Tupac is Black

Jesus the patron saint of

thugs or on Crown Jay-Z says you're in

the presence of King scratch that you're

in the presence of a

God or Kanye West says I am a

God right so you get this kind of

rethinking that has been in place for a

while cuz the 5centers for example argue

we getting this all wrong cuz the black

man is God this is where the Nation of

Islam falls short for them Nation of

Islam says created in the image of Allah

5% are say no we are Gods right so there

has been a softening a

reworking a rethinking of these

categories for a good stretch of time

okay so confession time I'm a Christian

you're probably not surprised by that

but I will say that I've gone through a

kind of deconstruction I don't like that

term I think it's a bit overused but

these for me are shifts and Evolutions

in my faith that that often leave me

feeling uncomfortable with all of the

assumptions and baggage present in

calling myself a Christian most of that

discomfort is because of the way

Christians have chosen to represent

themselves in politics over the last 20

to 30 Years Christian nationalism is a

mind virus it is a cancer in the church

titles in nomenclature aside here's why

I still resonate with the Christian

faith I have three reasons first

Christianity is a middle eastern or more

accurately a NE Eastern religion which

means it should be rightly understood

within an Eastern framework for me in

order to give Christianity a fair Shake

I have to understand it separately from

the bastardized version we know today

I'll come back to that in my third point

the cultural context of the Bible's

authors and main characters would not

align with the money hungry capitalistic

structures we know today this means that

success in the biblical narrative exists

almost exclusively outside of the

confines of worldly possession or wealth

accumulation our top- down precon

ception about who is favored and who

isn't simply do not fit within the

framework of the biblical narrative in

fact the ultimate main character of the

book Jesus was a middle eastern Jewish

man who was born in a barn lived as a

nomad owned no earthly possessions

believed in sweeping debt forgiveness

and constantly criticized the

exploitative practices of businessmen

church grifters and oppressive

governments second and this is connected

I've read the book slave owners

frequently cut out critical parts of the

biblical iCal narrative to stop black

people from learning the whole story

books like The Exodus were removed from

slave Bibles because those stories were

too radicalizing for the enslaved to

have access to this is one of the great

ironies of the anti-black book bands

taking place across the country they're

acting just like their grandfathers who

thought they could ban radicalizing

books from the Bible slave preachers

were brought onto plantations to preach

about how the Bible commands the

enslaved to obey their masters that's

Ephesians chapter 6 but they were not

allowed to preach verses in the book

just before Galatians chter 3 which says

that the slave and the free are made

equals in Christ Jesus when you read the

book the whole book it is clear that God

is squarely on the side of the oppressed

and decidedly against the oppressor even

when the oppressors are his people more

on that in a bit I've read the New

Testament like the Book of Luke where

Jesus says that his singular mission is

to bring Liberation to the oppressed

Jesus goes on to present a powerfully

progressive vision of something close to

Universal Health care uh debt

forgiveness and a kind of Criminal

Justice Reform the third reason why I

still identify as a Christian is a bit

more logical and directly connected to

reading the book The Bible presents A

Narrative of people doing what they want

to do often in direct opposition to what

the god of scripture tells them to do

one could argue that one of the central

themes of the Bible is choice and how

the Divine is navigating people's

freedom to choose from Adam and Eve

choosing to eat the forbidden fruit of

the garden to David choos choosing to

step up and fight Goliath to some people

choosing to accept or reject Jesus as

the Messiah choice is woven throughout

the text and what comes with that choice

is a great deal of risk human error

exploitation and wrongdoing are often

the fruit of that risk this is for me

where faith has its limits because we

all have choices to make if I choose to

harm someone it doesn't matter how many

Bible verses I quote I will be

responsible for my actions it would be

silly for me to place the blame for my

actions on God similarly hundreds of

years of Europe and the West's non-stop

Colonial exploitation of African people

and land is a choice a choice that has

produced far-reaching outcomes to this

day I would challenge you to go back and

read the writings of white people living

in what would become America in the

1600s and the 1700s they knew what they

were doing America's enslavement

segregation mass incarceration and

continued exclusion of black people

is a choice and if God exists I don't

think it's fair to blame that on them

anti-blackness is real and and it isn't

of God's making the Bible basically

describes Jesus as a black person in the

Bible is Jesus um is his appearance in

the Bible uh I believe they describe him

with like feet were bronze and hair was

his feet was black as brass and his hair

was out of wool James

Harden James Harden LeBron you what in

some ways I think this is why black

people are still Christians the bible

promises A Better Tomorrow despite the

trials of today and you may scoff at the

therapeutic nature of that claim and I

get it but there's also something

powerful about Hope and the black church

despite all of its flaws has harnessed

that hope producing art expression and

movements that have changed the

world okay that's it for this one thank

than you for watching and subscribing I

think about faith a lot in real life but

I actually rarely explore those thoughts

in my content so in some ways this is

kind of an experiment and if you watch

to this point you now know about my

little experiment I'll be checking out

the likes and the comments on this video

to get a sense of how you're feeling

about it uh so subscribe drop a like and

I have to tell you this isn't a

transactional community we talk we argue

we disagree so get into the comments I'm

reading every single one would love to

know what your thinking as always I'm

grateful that you're here my friends

peace