The Afro American as with the Australian Aboriginal, although for different reasons, time, and place, belonged to stolen generation/s for reasons such as slavery and white education etc … During these periods, white man forced his Christian beliefs on both those taken and too within their native lands … Those taken from native roots had there own spiritual traditions and beliefs that went back some 40,000 years before white mans Christian belief ever existed … Rightly so! > the Australian Aboriginal holds much anger towards those from that period for the act to capture and separate from family, then forced to change and comply to white education and religious worship … Yet many now are reverting back to their traditional ancestral spiritual beliefs. (which I may add make more sense than that of many white religions) Why does the black American who also holds deep remorse for the white mans affliction of slavery and their forced native separation of stolen generations … does he still worship a white mans Christian god and not the traditional spiritual belief of his African ancestors now you are free? http://www.sacred-texts.com/afr/index.htm http://www.abcog.org/nh/6000.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_American http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreamtime http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/spirituality/ http://www.gadimirrabooka.com/gadi-mirrabooka.php http://www.infoplease.com/spot/aboriginal1.html http://www.australianstorytelling.org.au/txt/mcleod.php An interested Australian asks without any offense intended. Peace.

What the hell does race have to do with spirituality?? And who the hell are you to imply beliefs of christians are mine because I'm white?? Hit yourself with a clue stick. Ask why many Christians turned their backs on their ancestor's beliefs or something. Race doesn't have a god damn thing to do with it...unless someplace in your links you are promoting a belief system of racial superiority or something equally retarded.

What are you smoking?:)

I am not of African heritage, but I find your question stimulating and very interesting. I wonder why we as humanity find it almost sacralage to be ourselves and follow our own belifs. There is little to no acceptance to personal choice in any society. Anyway, I understand where you are coming from - there is no offense with me.

You answered your own question right before the question mark.

They're probably Christians for the exact same reasons that European-Americans are.

it was the christian attitude that set the slaves free. why wouldnt they be grateful to christian beliefs.

Slaves tend to embrace their master's faith stronger than the master himself. By the time slavery ended, Christianity was so deeply embedded (in other words, beat into them) that it was all they had. They had no connection to their past religion and were taught that such beliefs were of the devil.

Well, the religions of Africa are pretty much forgotten by African Americans. If we were more in touch with Africa now, then we might still find their religions pertinent. But Christianity is what we know. It gave us hope, even though it was taught to us by people who enslaved us and abused their power. The religion itself was never the bad thing. How people enforced it and judged others by it was the problem.

Good question I'm white and kinda christian btw. Christianity was "forced" upon the european masters when they were slaves to the roman empire so your theory may well be accurate however i would say that although the enslavement of peoples may have a strong connection to the beliefs they hold in the modern world especially in developed countries this should have very little significance as for example former christians convert to islam , or the jewish faith or any other religiong really whether black or white. The slaves from former colonies such as somalia have reatained there islamic faith despite colonial rule by christian european powers but interesting idea anyway. Oh yeah and christianity is not "white man's" it is humanities and was invented in the bloody middle east.

This is what African Americans have been taught and believe. It has little to do with their ancestors. My ancestors probably worshiped some bizarre pagan god or even mountains and christians forced it on them too and my family is partly European and partly native American. I'm an atheist and don't believe any of the hog wash period. Many African Americans back in the 60s and 70s reverted back to ancient African religions and some to Islam, but most stuck with Christian beliefs. Much of christianity originated in or near Africa so it really didn't fall that far from the tree. You're right though when you used the word "forced". To me Christianity is just another word for rape. According to their own bible Mary got knocked up by a god who had non-consensual sex with her. In todays world that constitutes rape.

that a very dangerous road to go down if you go back far enough the romans forced christianity on the people of europe but you dont huge groups of white europeans converting to paganism.The bottom line is that what is done is done and it should be left in the past.

What's the alternative? Islam? Wherein many of such only outlawed slavery only a generation ago? And many still call for a return to slavery? http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/2003/11/saudi-religious-leader-calls-for-slaverys

Fear, tradition, and misunderstanding. some are settled with what is being imposed on them and loath change. others question what is being imposed on them seek the truth.

I don't.......And it is offensive because you just labeled the whole African American population, not knowing me personally, and knowing that I'm a vehement Atheist, you just assumed that I worship the "white man's christian beliefs". It doesn't matter where the beliefs came from, people can believe what they want. Just because a black person invented something, doesn't mean white people can't use it.