Did my Ancestors Find God On Their Own?
Slaves were stripped of their culture, history, and religions
Colonizer: This here book is called a ‘Bible’.
From it, I’m going to teach you about God and Jesus.Slave: Who?
The African slave, in America, was forbidden to worship or pray to their own gods.
Do you suppose the religion of the Colonizer, taught to the American slave by the Colonizer, was going to deliver said slave from the evils inflicted by said Colonizer? Religious freedom? Not a chance.
I was brought up Baptist and Episcopalian.
My father, a pianist, played the organ at the Baptist church; a wooden structure with a small backyard where the Black church ladies served fried chicken and cookies after the hours-long preaching and countless fund collectings. This is where I learned to fidgit.
The Episcopal church was a massive stone edifice with stained glass windows, a belfry that could be heard for miles, and a priest that got you in and out, with one plate offering, in 50 minutes; tops. This is where I learned to genuflect.
We alternated going to each church. We tithed at both church, worshiping the same God at each. Maybe they were different gods. Hard to say.
I was thirteen when my parents separated. The judge told me to choose. My mother took the parting the hardest. She had many anxiety fueled nights and days.
When things were at their lowest point, she sought counseling from the Episcopal church. First, we would go to the church. After a while, the priest would make house visits. I would excuse myself, go sit on the front porch, and let them have their conversation.
On the last visit, I overheard the priest, through the screen door, say;
“Sorry Mrs. Geder, the church can no longer help you and I won’t be coming out to visit you anymore”. Then he walked past me down the porch steps without saying goodbye.
For the longest time, I kept quiet my anger and disdain for churches and Christianity. I went along with the program, but the priest turning his back on my mother just rubbed me the wrong way.
My mother never recovered from her broken heart.
She died in 1975. My father died two years later of the same broken heart. Both had bibles in their possessions.
I’ve come to realize that religion serves oppression and capitalism better than it does my people. When I stopped being influenced and stopped looking through the lens of colonialism, imperialism, and white supremacy, my spirit and mindset improved.
I’ve come serve and seek the wisdom of my African Ancestors.
I’m confident that they won’t walk out on me. Tell Me Something Good!
Asé
Peace & Blessings
”Guided by the Ancestors”
I did not believe in their concept of God. We went to the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), which was founded by a black man but just as conservative and misinformed as a White Church. Everyone seemed to be angry and hostile to me and that is how they described God. This deity would punish me for my thoughts but was still supposed to "Love" me! I told my mom about my doubts and she took the Churches side! She told me that I could not question God and my 8 year old mind question why I could not question God! So I was an outcast from the Church and it was actually my dad's people who ran the Church we attended. I have attended Church's since but there are some parts of it that make me feel like they are not about God. Like passing the offering plate or calling new people up to the altar! I have never felt comfortable with those types of rituals!