Religion African-American culture

1 religion

1.1 christianity
1.2 islam
1.3 judaism
1.4 other religions
1.5 irreligious beliefs

religion

while african americans practice number of religions, protestant christianity far prevalent. additionally, 14% of muslims in united states , canada black.

christianity

a river baptism in new bern, north carolina, near turn of 20th century

the religious institutions of african-american christians commonly referred collectively black church. during slavery, many slaves stripped of african belief systems , typically denied free religious practice, forced become christian. slaves managed, however, hang on practices integrating them christian worship in secret meetings. these practices, including dance, shouts, african rhythms, , enthusiastic singing, remain large part of worship in african-american church.

african-american churches taught people equal in god s eyes , viewed doctrine of obedience 1 s master taught in white churches hypocritical – yet accepted , propagated internal hierarchies , support corporal punishment of children among other things . instead african-american church focused on message of equality , hopes better future. before , after emancipation, racial segregation in america prompted development of organized african-american denominations. first of these ame church founded richard allen in 1787.

after civil war merger of 3 smaller baptist groups formed national baptist convention organization largest african-american christian denomination , second largest baptist denomination in united states. african-american church not separate denomination. several predominantly african-american churches exist members of predominantly white denominations. african-american churches have served provide african-american people leadership positions , opportunities organize denied in mainstream american society. because of this, african-american pastors became bridge between african-american , european american communities , played crucial role in civil rights movement.

like many christians, african-american christians participate in or attend christmas play. black nativity langston hughes re-telling of classic nativity story gospel music. productions can found in african-american theaters , churches on country.

malcolm x, notable african american muslim, became member of nation of islam later converted sunni islam.


islam

generations before advent of atlantic slave trade, islam thriving religion in west africa due peaceful introduction via lucrative trans-saharan trade between prominent tribes in southern sahara , arabs , berbers in north africa. in attesting fact west african scholar cheikh anta diop explained: primary reason success of islam in black africa [...] consequently stems fact propagated peacefully @ first solitary arabo-berber travelers black kings , notables, spread them under jurisdiction . many first-generation slaves able retain muslim identity, descendants not. slaves either forcibly converted christianity case in catholic lands or besieged gross inconveniences religious practice such in case of protestant american mainland.

in decades after slavery , particularly during depression era, islam reemerged in form of highly visible , controversial movements in african-american community. first of these of note moorish science temple of america, founded noble drew ali. ali had profound influence on wallace fard, later founded black nationalist nation of islam in 1930. elijah muhammad became head of organization in 1934. malcolm x, left nation of islam in 1964, many african-american muslims follow traditional islam.

many former members of nation of islam converted sunni islam when warith deen mohammed took control of organization after father s death in 1975 , taught members traditional form of islam based on qur an. survey council on american-islamic relations shows 30% of sunni mosque attendees african americans. in fact, african-american muslims orthodox muslims, 2% of nation of islam.

judaism

there 150,000 african americans in united states practice judaism. of these members of mainstream jewish groups reform, conservative, or orthodox branches of judaism; others belong non-mainstream jewish groups black hebrew israelites. black hebrew israelites collection of african-american religious organizations practices , beliefs derived extent judaism. varied teachings include, african americans descended biblical israelites.

studies have shown in last 10 15 years there has been major increase in african-americans identifying jewish. rabbi capers funnye, first cousin of michelle obama, says in response skepticism on people being african-american , jewish @ same time, jew, , breaks through color , ethnic barriers.

other religions

aside christianity, islam, , judaism, there african americans follow buddhism , number of other religions. there small growing number of african americans participate in african traditional religions, such west african vodun, santería, ifá , diasporic traditions rastafari movement. many of them immigrants or descendants of immigrants caribbean , south america, these practiced. because of religious practices, such animal sacrifice, no longer common among larger american religions, these groups may viewed negatively , victims of harassment. must stated, however, since supreme court judgement given lukumi babaluaye church of florida in 1993, there has been no major legal challenge right function see fit.

irreligious beliefs

in 2008 pew forum survey, 12% of african americans described nothing in particular (11%), agnostic (1%), or atheist (<0.5%).