,"Question with boldness the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of reason than of blindfolded fear”.  Thomas Jefferson
There is no excuse for intelligent people to be so ignorant of facts about the charlatan fantasies and make-believe pretenses of religion, that works to undermine the true Democratic principles and unifying influences of our Democratic Society! To promote, propagate, profligate or publish the same pretentious and pompous falsehoods that are the evil tools used by Fallwell, Baker, Haggard, the Pope, and their ilk to brainwash, indoctrinate, brand, and subjugate innocent children and fools so as to use them to gain ever more money, power, and divisive influence, is tantamount to supporting pimping, and prostitution. And, because those charlatans use their evil schemes and lies to control, and enslave those misled ‘bovine-like’ advocates by rendering them ‘virtual’ robots that do their bidding; they are criminals, and all of those supporting them, are criminal cohorts, equally guilty of the crimes they commit against humanity, those fools, and the children.
The vast majority of “religious” people were: forced into their ‘belief’! They had no say in the matter, they were imposed upon, brainwashed, and indoctrinated when innocent and defenseless! They were not old enough, wise enough, or informed enough to make a decision, or to determine the value of the information passed to them by elders who, they were taught to obey and were not able to question or contradict! And, generation, upon generation the same methods have been perpetually used and promoted by a big gang of thieves as their victimizing schemes to rob people of their pristine mental facilities and their ability to determine fact from fiction! 
Most religious indoctrinated “children” never reach an “age and ability” to recover from the ‘desease’!
‘Religious’ “parents” already mezmerized and ‘indoctrinated’; are the absolute worst ‘indoctrinators’!(because, they have first access to the innocents at the earliest age!)
Religious parents mind’s are warped by the charlatan’s lies and fairytales, and by passing it on, they are naive, unwitting cohorts of the ‘criminal’ charlatans’; and are abetting the spread of the infectious plague-like desease called “Religion”!  These “parents” are criminals! They are guilty of ‘branding’ and ‘warping’ the ‘pristine’ minds of the innocent defenseless children and robbing them of the mental acuity they were born with.
Religion’s evil bigotry has relegated all non-religious people and realists, to a lower class ‘infidel’ status.
And, the time has arrived for all ‘Secular’ Organizations, and realists to seriously consider aligning under one ‘banner’ to fight the fight of our lives; to overcome the deadly influences of those religious fanatics who intend to overthrow our once Democratic Government and accede to domination of our society by brainwashing innocent children and fools, infecting them with the plague-like desease called “Religion”
and thus branding and converting them into mezmerized, robot-like monsters, and cohorts, suborned to ever ceaseless efforts aimed at gaining total, and complete control over our entire way of life.
How does the US Government guarantee ‘newborn’ US citizens the “Right” to: “freedom of religion”?
“---U.S.citizens are guaranteed freedom of---religion---” (?) But; how, can the ‘pristine’ acuity of innocent children’s minds possibly survive the corrupting influence of mind-warping religious indoctrination they are unable or free to question or object to?

,"Question with boldness the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of reason than of blindfolded fear”.  Thomas Jefferson
There is no excuse for intelligent people to be so ignorant of facts about the charlatan fantasies and make-believe pretenses of religion, that works to undermine the true Democratic principles and unifying influences of our Democratic Society! To promote, propagate, profligate or publish the same pretentious and pompous falsehoods that are the evil tools used by Fallwell, Baker, Haggard, the Pope, and their ilk to brainwash, indoctrinate, brand, and subjugate innocent children and fools so as to use them to gain ever more money, power, and divisive influence, is tantamount to supporting pimping, and prostitution. And, because those charlatans use their evil schemes and lies to control, and enslave those misled ‘bovine-like’ advocates by rendering them ‘virtual’ robots that do their bidding; they are criminals, and all of those supporting them, are criminal cohorts, equally guilty of the crimes they commit against humanity, those fools, and the children.
The vast majority of “religious” people were: forced into their ‘belief’! They had no say in the matter, they were imposed upon, brainwashed, and indoctrinated when innocent and defenseless! They were not old enough, wise enough, or informed enough to make a decision, or to determine the value of the information passed to them by elders who, they were taught to obey and were not able to question or contradict! And, generation, upon generation the same methods have been perpetually used and promoted by a big gang of thieves as their victimizing schemes to rob people of their pristine mental facilities and their ability to determine fact from fiction! 
Most religious indoctrinated “children” never reach an “age and ability” to recover from the ‘desease’!
‘Religious’ “parents” already mezmerized and ‘indoctrinated’; are the absolute worst ‘indoctrinators’!(because, they have first access to the innocents at the earliest age!)
Religious parents mind’s are warped by the charlatan’s lies and fairytales, and by passing it on, they are naive, unwitting cohorts of the ‘criminal’ charlatans’; and are abetting the spread of the infectious plague-like desease called “Religion”!  These “parents” are criminals! They are guilty of ‘branding’ and ‘warping’ the ‘pristine’ minds of the innocent defenseless children and robbing them of the mental acuity they were born with.
Religion’s evil bigotry has relegated all non-religious people and realists, to a lower class ‘infidel’ status.
And, the time has arrived for all ‘Secular’ Organizations, and realists to seriously consider aligning under one ‘banner’ to fight the fight of our lives; to overcome the deadly influences of those religious fanatics who intend to overthrow our once Democratic Government and accede to domination of our society by brainwashing innocent children and fools, infecting them with the plague-like desease called “Religion”
and thus branding and converting them into mezmerized, robot-like monsters, and cohorts, suborned to ever ceaseless efforts aimed at gaining total, and complete control over our entire way of life.
How does the US Government guarantee ‘newborn’ US citizens the “Right” to: “freedom of religion”?
“---U.S.citizens are guaranteed freedom of---religion---” (?) But; how, can the ‘pristine’ acuity of innocent children’s minds possibly survive the corrupting influence of mind-warping religious indoctrination they are unable or free to question or object to?

Actually, the question is not whether God exists, or why African Americans hold tenaciously to faith in Him, and the efficacy of His son’s blood.  The real question is why modern man, theologically speaking, would prefer to believe in his own delusional brand of “self-actuated” creation and redemption. 

This false sense of security was in response to the “strict constructionists” who usurped authority over scriptural interpretation, wielding it for unholy and unjust purposes. Throwing the Gospel out with the bathwater is just as foolish as trying to use the Gospel to support slavery.  Both sides of that coin are irreconcilably tarnished.

Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost. His kingdom was not of this world.  He rightly asserted the ability to call many legions of angels in response to the evils perpetrated on this planet.  However, that would have played right into the hands of the malevolent force that is these many years later still wildly successful at convincing people that neither he nor God exist.  That’s the brain teaser!

Christ came, and overwhelmingly proved, that God’s Law could be kept in the flesh, through the power of the Holy Spirit.  African Americans, at least ancestors of mine who longed for “God’s Heaven”, wanted no part of a millennium here on this earth fueled by racial toleration, and mega-homes in the suburbs, and entertainment, and rubbing elbows with all races at Spagos, Maxims, and Emerods.  A sense of arrival by whose terms? 

A snooty, self-segregated African American bourgeois elite whose contempt for their more unfortunate brethren is just as raw and immoral as that inflicted historically by society!  Nothing like a young black man from the ghetto wandering into your gated community, threatening the foundation of western civilization – on our terms (I include myself). [Visit the wealthy black ‘burbs surrounding ATL or DC. You better be driving a late model ‘Bimmer, Benz, Lexus, Porsche or Infinity if you dare stop at a traffic signal.  Nothing like being profiled by your own huh?] No, my ancestors righteously preferred and longed for the environment that Christ promised those from all nations who were faithful – a home in Glory Land that outshines the sun.

Peace

Actually, the question is not whether God exists, or why African Americans hold tenaciously to faith in Him, and the efficacy of His son’s blood.  The real question is why modern man, theologically speaking, would prefer to believe in his own delusional brand of “self-actuated” creation and redemption. 

This false sense of security was in response to the “strict constructionists” who usurped authority over scriptural interpretation, wielding it for unholy and unjust purposes. Throwing the Gospel out with the bathwater is just as foolish as trying to use the Gospel to support slavery.  Both sides of that coin are irreconcilably tarnished.

Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost. His kingdom was not of this world.  He rightly asserted the ability to call many legions of angels in response to the evils perpetrated on this planet.  However, that would have played right into the hands of the malevolent force that is these many years later still wildly successful at convincing people that neither he nor God exist.  That’s the brain teaser!

Christ came, and overwhelmingly proved, that God’s Law could be kept in the flesh, through the power of the Holy Spirit.  African Americans, at least ancestors of mine who longed for “God’s Heaven”, wanted no part of a millennium here on this earth fueled by racial toleration, and mega-homes in the suburbs, and entertainment, and rubbing elbows with all races at Spagos, Maxims, and Emerods.  A sense of arrival by whose terms? 

A snooty, self-segregated African American bourgeois elite whose contempt for their more unfortunate brethren is just as raw and immoral as that inflicted historically by society!  Nothing like a young black man from the ghetto wandering into your gated community, threatening the foundation of western civilization – on our terms (I include myself). [Visit the wealthy black ‘burbs surrounding ATL or DC. You better be driving a late model ‘Bimmer, Benz, Lexus, Porsche or Infinity if you dare stop at a traffic signal.  Nothing like being profiled by your own huh?] No, my ancestors righteously preferred and longed for the environment that Christ promised those from all nations who were faithful – a home in Glory that outshines the sun.

Peace

Your article and the book are of special interest to me given the fact that I’m in the process of writing a book that discusses the nexus of the Bible and Africans in the Diaspora (including, of course, African Americans). Based upon what I read, however, there are what I perceive to be several conundrums that I believe need attention. Two readily come to mind after a casual reading of your article:

(1) Since early historians, particularly Herodotus, describe the Egyptians and Ethiopians as Black, how do you reconcile the fact that Black Africans were on the other side of slavery when the Children of Israel were in Egyptian bondage? How do we as Black people relate to this? (I have my own answer, but, I’m curious to know how our esteemed author would answer.)

It gets particularly dicey if, as some Black nationalists believe, the original Jews were Black too. If this is indeed the case, we have perhaps the biggest case of Black-on-Black crime in the history of civilization.

(2) After leaving Egypt, the Israelites were to vanquish the Canaanites and others out of the Promised Land. Is there a proposed parallel to this action? Are we to evict our enemies, whoever they may be, off our own “Promised Land,” whatever that may be? 

Of course I haven’t read the book, but would be interested in knowing if these matters are entertained therein.

cc: postchat at aol dot com

Richard:
I’m sure you’re right, but what the hell are you talking about?

Religion: a misrepresentation of myth, ( except your religion).

rhonda:

In case you’ve been asleep for the last several hundered years, there is no “church” as such. In fact Martin Luther did a funny thing way back in the 16th century. It’s called the Reformation. Check it out. Also, many congregations of Christians do not have any hierarchy beyond the local body to which they are answerable. Southern Baptists, a rather large group in this country, are notorious for their independence from the larger convention. Maybe you should actually visit one before you call for rebuilding a religion. No, on second thought, please don’t. With your attitude, you would split it inside of two weeks.

mite:

“More people in history have died because of religion then any other reason. Does anyone not understand this?”

Yes, I don’t. Cite your sources or cut the b.s.

P.S. The Da Vinci Code doesn’t quality as a credible source. It’s FICTION, like your post.

Christianity was co-opted early on as Kim notes in #43502.  Early (1st century) struggles within the ranks of believers ultimately led to the triumph of those who wanted an authoritarian pattern for church organization.  The writings of the dissenters were hunted out and burned.  Christianity could have gone the route of peaceful egalitarianism, but instead it went the route of all-out misogyny, enthroning bishops, priests, deacons, presbyters, all male, all intent on order and obedience.  Since then the church has been careful to pander to powerful nations and has found the most fallacious means of supporting actions that would have made Jesus get out the whip and clear the temple.

If enough people of all colors come to realize what’s happened, maybe they can rebuild (resurrect) a religion that resembles Jesus’s teachings instead of the authoritarians’.

I say that truth is needed in this time of Greed, Power, Control, and Genocide. We will not get it from the Church. Church uses their power to control and enslave the masses and have done so for centuries.
The people of color have experienced this for centuries and now its the Anglo-Eurpoean- American’s turn; or should I say the light bulb is finally On. You see all people have been slaves of one sort and we have always served a MASTER- The Church. More people in history have died because of religion then any other reason. Does anyone not understand this.
Centuries ago a small group assembled and decided what scriptures would be included in the Bible. Instead of just accepting something as feed to us we need to question and demand facts not theories.

For example Christmas-Birth of Jesus-a man like any other man, but one who practiced what he preached- walked the talk. But wait was this man born December 25th? Why does the Church give us this date as his birth? Hmm. According to the scripture in the Bible, research history outside the propaganda sources you can theorize the birth was sometime in March-April. Hmm. Oh yea, what about the place of birth?
Lie to me once-shame on you, lie to me twice shame on me.
If we follow the Ten Commandments, and the Golden Rule toward each other- I say we no longer need to accept these lies. Has anyone ever joined a church and stopped giving money? How were you treated after you stopped giving cash?

Excellent point - with one glaring omission.  How does this, “The Apostle Paul had declared that master and slave were equal in God’s sight. These were ideas at least as revolutionary as any Jeffersonian proposition” square with Paul’s repeated admonishment to slaves to obey their masters?  Peter says the same thing; in essence, be good slaves, obey your masters and your reward will come later.  Why didn’t Paul and Peter take Jesus’ words to heart and say, “Slaveowner, treat your slave as you would expect to be treated - set them free?”

I guess it depends on what you mean by “did revolutionize the world.” He certainly didn’t in my mind, make it better, if he even really existed.  I believe everyone in a free society has the right to their beliefs, but, for the life of me, I don’t understand how a people as suppressed, oppressed, tortured, violated, disrespected and otherwise abused as African Americans have been--in this country,alone--can have any faith in a Supreme Being who, to this day, continues to let them down.  If God is pissed off about the way his world is turning out,(and I think if there’s a chance he exists, there’s an equal chance he’s pissed) then African Americans must certainly be His whipping boy.  It’s certainly not the perpetrators; European American whites seem to be doing pretty well.  That’s some God up there. If he/she/it has a color and it isn’t black, he/she/it must be racist, the Fucker, and I’m NOT JOKING. If he/she/it IS black, then African Americans need to rethink their faith.