The Influence Of Religion During Slavery On Society

Since the dawn of time, there has been one thing that has survived and defined generations. That one constant that forever remains is the power and influence of religion on society. You would spend countless hours trying to trace its roots or documenting it from then to present day. It would be a much less daunting task to just focus on one period. In my opinion the influence of religion during slavery was a major point in its history. When free people were unwillingly removed from their homeland, the one thing they could call their own was their religious beliefs. But once they attempted to bring their beliefs and practices to this new land an opposition arose. The teachings they once held dear were now being challenged and attempted to be erased by the slave-owners. Looking back, there are many examples of African American religion during these times being more passive than anything. The side that is not glorified is the resistant side. Religion among African Americans may have pr omoted a lot of passivity but is also responsible for the resistance formed within the culture. Being the forgiving people who were fine with the ideology of slavery being gods work their patience would eventually run thin. Thus the great revolts of Denmark Vesey and Nat Turner, the rebellion among African American women against the norms of male dominated leadership in religion took form. In every single one of these instances it is proven that resistance is a larger byproduct of religion inShow MoreRelatedAbraham Lincoln And The Civil War944 Words   |  4 Pagesin† (Lincoln). Opposite to Douglas ideas that slavery is natural, secular, and constitutional right, Lincoln asserted anti-slavery, linked to Evangelical Protestantism (Magagna). Against evolutionism, he appealed the religious morality, thoughts, and behaviors in order to demolish institutional slavery in the United States (Magagna). 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