What Do We Know About Christianity?

Today, United Black America is blessed with the talents of guest writer Yonah El, one of the most prolific commenters in United Black America history. His opinions might be controversy, his writing style may be different from the norm here, but he shares our passion – and we welcome him to the team. Make sure you break him in proper in the comments section once you are done reading!

Peace,

Asad

What Do We Know About Christianity

What do we know about religion? This topic is so broad that no short answer will do. I have been addressing this question for over 45 years. I have talked to religious people of a variety of faiths and here in America Christianity is the dominate religion. Ironically, they do not follow the book that they hold sacred as the source of their spiritual strength, “The Bible.” I will deal with that in a minute. I have been working on this column for quite some time. Every time I start to write, I stop short. There is so much to say…. How can I say it all? Today was no different. It was on my mind as I drove to my appointment with my doctor. Then, while waiting it the outer office, I saw a pamphlet. The title on the cover was. “ARMAGEDDON.” The sub titles were, “What is it? When will it Come? The publication date was February 1, 2012. The publisher was “The Watchtower”.

I glanced through the pages and on page 5 it said’ “ The Truth about Armageddon” As I read through the pamphlet I decided that my topic would have to be a series because there is no way I can give you a short version that adequately covers the subject. I was near the end of the publication before I came up with what I considered to be a solid title. “Religion, Politics & Black America” On page 26 the question; “ Why does God have and Organization?” appears. It is followed by, “Why are true Christians Organized?”, “How are the JW’s organized today?” and “In modern times, how did Jehovah’s Witnesses begin?”

The comedy of this is may not be readily apparent, but after you spend a few minutes perusing the websites below, you will understand why.

The biggest question that comes to mind is why the Omnipotent God who is “one” God has so many variations of his “one faith.” If you viewed the site on religious tolerance, which I found to be very user friendly and diverse, you note that the common theme between these different denominations is that “they” are the only “true” faith. Now since they all claim the same origin, one must assume that something went wrong soon after the resurrection.

When you try to define a Christian, the bottom line is that you must accept,” Jesus as your personal savior, and that he rose from the dead.” As such, Christian profess that they follow Jesus. The problems with this issue are all over the place, but to begin with, Christians do not follow “Jesus.” The do not worship as he worshipped, they keep different days holy than he did. They discarded his feast days and made up their own holidays, (which according to the beliefs of Jesus are pagan idolatry) And, I haven’t even started on the name “Jesus” (which is not his name).

Using Religion to Justify Slavery

Politically, it was very astute to use religion to justify slavery. To further ensconce this religiously validated lie, they identified slaves as 3/5ths of a man and regarded them as descendants of Job’s cursed son – Ham. The politics of that decision we can discuss later, but …. It was only after four hundred years that this disconnect finally pierced the veil. The truth which the world could not accept finally began to lead people in the right direction.

Jn 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither
knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

But, over the years, Black people had been kept in place by using the bible. It was used to give them hope and when freedom finally arrived, it is no small wonder that they accepted that their prayers had at long last been answered. Now, it is time for them to open their eyes and see what the scripture Jn 14:17 really means. For those who used the bible as a tool to enslave Blacks and control the anger and frustrations of a nation what is the truth that the world could not receive because it seeth him not?

The truth is that the Abrahamic faith has its roots in African culture.

Imagine the cognitive dissonance of white people as they come to grasp with the truth that the blond haired blue eyed Jesus of the New Testament was in fact a dreadlock wearing radical Black man with a revolutionary spirit. He did not agree with the church fathers of the day. He criticized them and his truth was so powerful that the people were leaving the traditional churches of the day and following this radical. One man so vehemently opposed to the status quo that he spoke out and “challenged city hall” along with the church fathers. He told them that everyone could have a personal relationship with God and they did not need a pastor to teach them. His message was so powerful and it went farther. He spoke against the system that pitted one man against another and took advantage of the poor for the benefit of the rich. Yes, he was speaking up for economic freedom and equality.

All the people of authority and power were challenged by his radical thinking. He spoke of unity and harmony and how the poor would inherit the earth. How? By standing together. Standing up for each other and not selling their souls to the highest bidder. And his message was resonating. The people thronged to him to hear this idea of salvation. The rich and powerful were not fools. They saw the handwriting on the walls. They conspired against him. To this day, they are still conspiring against us. And we are still waking. Sitting on the side of the bed partially enthralled and still affected by our deep slumber. As the light dawns upon us, we are unsure if we still dream, or are we in fact awakening to discover that we have been living thorough a deceptive nightmare that still has us in it’s clutches.

Black Madonna What Do We Know About Christianity?

The Black Madonna, as Painted by Saint Luke

So, after being deceived about the race of the savior by introducing fake pictures….Then they use a name….He was born speaking Hebrew. The bible states that his birth name was Immanuel/Emmanuel (God with us) However, the angels stated he would be called Yahshua also (Joshua) and later after his baptism…Messiah. Annointed ….These two names (titles ) were never spoken in English. They would have been pronounced in Hebrew…

The messiah never spoke English. He never heard of the New Testament. The 130 or so versions of it had yet to be written and merged with the original documents which the Messiah used and referred to in his efforts to remove the scales from the eyes of those that were yet asleep. He went by the Old Testament. He kept the Sabbath, Saturday. He kept the Holy Feast days. He never heard of Easter. If you think he was mad when he cast out the money changers from the temple, what do you think he would do today….? All of the holidays that Christians keep are pagan holidays from the perspective of the Son of Man. Christians celebrate and carry around crucifixes thinking they are somehow honoring him, but the second commandment gave specific instructions against that.

Also, the cross… He died on a cross. Keeping a cross is celebrating his death, not his life. Christians say that the only name you can be saved by is Jesus, Christ. In his life, he was never referred to by either of those names. So, when truth comes in and confronts the lie, they say it doesn’t matter what name you use. Just like they said his color doesn’t matter. The truth always matters…

The truth is that when the power and authority falls into the hands of a Black man, it no longer matters. Just like with our president. Before we had a Black president, no matter what your personal opinion, you always respected the office. But now that the president is Black, all bets are off and you can disrespect the office because he is in it. So also the color of the messiah is important until he turns out to be Black, then his color does not matter. His name is all important, until they learn that the name is wrong , then the name is not important. Any name will do because he understands you… And these quick fix answers are acceptable …Why?

Because the religion and the faith are a lie? …Or because the religion and faith are actually those of the Black race and they were stolen and co-opted by another who has just been discovered?

Now to prove what I just said, would take a quite a while, so I will deal with that later in the series. I hope to get some challenges from the readers so I can deal specifically with issues instead of spending hours on a topic
that very few people may comprehend.

The suffering, the obedience and now in this day and age as we approach true knowledge, perfection
awaits…. But, are you ready for this….Stay tuned for part 2.

I add these websites here because I want you to have instant access to them. They are utilitarian and the display of information is diverse enough to be both informative and entertaining. After using them, you will probably prefer one to another, but you should spend a few minutes checking and comparing the data. The information in these four sites is extensive, but by no means complete. They indicate that there are some 1,500 Christian faiths in America and roughly 30,000 worldwide. They do not delineate the black churches separately.

http://hirr.hartsem.edu/research/fastfacts/fast_facts.html#numcong
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominations
http://netministries.org/denomlst.htm
http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_deno.htm
http://www.aawc.com/Zaac.html
http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/resources/blackm/blackm.html
http://www.christiantimelines.com/aa_church.htm

Have You Read These Yet?

Mourning Gaddafi - An African Hero #consciousculturefriday

Love

Religion: Fact or Fiction?

Robbo24

One thing is certain,……speaking personally I know that I am perfectly imperfect. A work in process, as it were, but moving forward in security from the protection of my Lord and Savior. Everyone has to figure out if they believe or not for themselves. As for me and my house,…. I serve the Lord Christ Jesus.
- Robbo24
  
  http://youtu.be/VxKuDu2Vu1k
Joshua

I will like to encourage you my brother to continue to speak about the truth. I was a former Christian son of a pastor that has the same stand that you have. I have also talked to religious leaders including my father about these same facts and MANY more that have not been answered and shockingly sometimes have no clue about. I shake my head but yet it gives me a greater understanding why the black community catches the hell we do. We have to educate ourselves and gain knowledge and less on beliefs thats supported by opinions. Only then is when we will become kings and queens once again.
- http://unitedblackamerica.com Asad
  
  Thank you for the kind words, and I will keep the conversation going! I was raised in the Christian church as well, and let me say there is nothing more beautiful to behold than a man or woman truly living Christian principles. My problem is with the institution, and the need to know the truth. Its a delicate conversation, but until the last day of reckoning when the truth is revealed to us all, we have a responsibility to keep evolving towards that truth. Thanks again for the comment!
  - gensing
    
    isn't the catholic church the whore riding the beast?
Yonah El

See how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It is ….The key word is "Unity" We can work through our differences if we are patient, considerate, and lean not to our own understanding ,but prepare ourselves for Jn 14:17 The spirit of truth that the world cannot accept…." As we approach the truth, we know it and understand it, if we do not reject it….but we must reject the charlatans. Like this.. .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx0bHOsBtPc&feature=related. "This makes me think about hurting this man bad…But it is so funny, I have to laugh." ahhh
Jeena Effoe

Let me first begin by saying "God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar, as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy saying, and mightest overcome when thou art judged" Roman 3:4 Which means.. in a nutshell, that you can feel however you want, and believe whatever you want. God always has.. and will continue to make a mockery of the unbeliever, you choose your fate. A wise man sees the danger ahead and avoids it… If you have been fortunate to see the costs of those that have come before you that dared to defame, it would be wise not do the same.. but hey…. do you "God is not mocked, that whatsoever a man so that shall he also reap". Secondly i would encourage you and any other that focuses on the discrepancies of people to set your sights on God. It seems you have issues more with the way people that claim to be Christians, act, than issues with God. We live in a vile world.. you can not let their actions define our God…. as we know many are called but few are chosen. Use the israelite as your model.. they witnessed mighty miracles and quickly turned their back on the Lord. such is the modern day world. There is nothing new under the sun…. Times change, people dont. The same issues that exist today existed then.. such are the fools that tried God then… they will have the same fate, but as for me.. i will serve God, no questions asked.
- Robbo24
  
  I'm noticing that as well Jeena. I also understand that people have strong convictions when it comes to religion. It's been my experience that the ones who's most against professed Christians use some type of misstep another Christian made to broad stroke all Christians.
  
  We are all prone to make mistakes. The exact reason why we shouldn't be so quick to pronounce judgement. Making judgments isn't being correct. What I do know I've been protected all my life from terrible events that should have taken me out. My entire life things have narrowly missed killing me. I know it's not nothing I'm doing. It's something my grandmother done. Prayer for my protection, and not just me all of Grand's family.
  
  She was someone from Noble Drew Ali's era and nothing is said about her or the likes of her in other families. We can go on all day about who's religion is right. I know what I see and I've been seeing it for the span of my lifetime. With all due respect no glittering words about opinionated summaries against Christianity is going to change my choice to serve Jesus the Son of God our Father the Holy one of Israel.
  
  Frankly I'll never turn my back on God our Father the mighty one of Jerusalem. I will not be swayed by the well intentions of people I don't know as opposed to the genuine relationship I have with Christ Jesus.
  - Yonah El
    
    Robbo's comments are very interesting. I have been exposed to situations all throughout my life that have validated my faith. At the same time, I have studied Christianity intensely and found many reasons to dispel substantial tenets and traditions within this religion. 1Th 5:21 says, ". 21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." But so many times in Christianity, people accept what they are told and do no research whatsoever to validate the truth of what they are being taught. Classic example. Christians are about to celebrate Easter. Easter is a pagan holiday. When the messiah was here, he celebrated the Passover. How can Christians now claim to follow him, but ignore Jesus celebration of Passover and pursue instead Easter. "Which Jesus never heard of. Or, the fact that He kept Saturday and Christians keep Sunday. Or that he kept the High Feast days and Christians keep none of them. Etc.
    - famousred
      
      Not only is easter a pagan holiday, but try doing some simple math here. Matthew 12:38-40, Jesus tells the scribes and pharisees that he will be in the heart of the earth 3 days and 3 nights just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale. 'Good Friday' to 'Easter sunday' is not 3 days 3 nights. That was the sign given that he WAS the Messiah. So if you're celebrating easter you're saying the messiah hasn't come, you're still waiting on the messiah apparently. If one understood the feast days or read in Daniel 9:27 where it states in the midst of the week the sacrifice and oblation will cease. Meaning Christ will die in the midst of the wk. causing the animal sacrifice to stop as Christ is our sacrifice now and the veil was ripped. Christ died on the Passover(wed.) 1Corn.5:7 and rose Sat. right before the sun went down. So that blows their sunrise services out the water and the reason why I was told they go to church on sun., because it was the day he rose. Easter represents Ethstra, goddess of fertility. A spring festival that was celebrated with ancient temple prostitutes. 321 A.D Emperor Constantine switched the sabbath from sat. to sunday. Read a Bible its in there, or read an encyclopedia its in there too!
- Yonah El
  
  Be concerned when you say you serve God. what God do you serve? Who told you about this God? How have you validated that the God you serve is the correct God.
  
  The word says that many would come in his name and deceive many….How can you prove that you are not one of those who have been deceived? I have done my homework and know of what and wherefore I speak. Someone said, god is not mocked. but he is mocked. He is mocked by every establishment that purports to be the true faith when they are nothing more than an extension of the Catholic control mechanism. The Catholics themselves being witnesses.
- Joshua
  
  I will like to say that a subject as sensitive as this I myself can not simply leave it up for a matter of belief. The God that is all powerful that tells me to simply believe in him I will not follow. Belief is not based on anything but yours or someone else's OPINION. Whether it be someone today or 2000 years ago.
Linda

First of all God or the Most High was originally female, but was destroyed by male patriarchy, so let's look for the real truth, not some version of the truth. Black and Female. Apet, Neith, Nut. How far down the rabbit hole do you want to go?
- http://unitedblackamerica.com Asad
  
  I can back that up to an extent. In most indigenous African matriarchal cultures, the source of life has always been feminine. However, keep building on your comment.
  - gensing
    
    i am kind of broken hearted because in the panel heading every leader of importance is there but Noble Drew Ali please explain this when Drew Ali was followed and supported by marcus garvey and elijah mohammed? Noble Drew told the people in 1913 that 'it would take 50yrs to comprehend what he done and in 50yrs if we weren't careful we wouldn't even know he had come'. 100 yrs later and people are deader now then when he was here fostering independent actions unmatched today. i know why europeans won't mention him but my own people what's really going on??????!!!!!!!
    - http://unitedblackamerica.com Asad
      
      I have actually written about N. Drew Ali in a previous post. I will have to revisit the subject in my upcoming book an din future posts. Are you affiliated with the MSTA?
      - gensing
        
        there's no way he could be added to the panel header of great ones??? hhhm please explain. Also, is the article on Noble Drew Ali in your archives? i'd love to read it
      - gensing
        
        i am searching now for a home i love building with the many factions although i ache for them to just be one. as it is now a few got the message down but not the degrees, while those who have the degrees do not yet have the wherewithal to pull the factions together, so for now i set with a few sisters and brothers all from different temples i truly love the research they have unearth btw them and sites like these i can stay laced up
      - http://unitedblackamerica.com Asad
        
        Sure, I could add him to the header. I think he rates it. However, I would have to buy a new header! I only change it once a year, so I will definitely remember to pay homage. Also, the article is in my archives, you just gotta hunt it down. Finally, how would you reccomend uniting all these factions together. Should they even BE united? If so, why?
      - GenSing
        
        Greetings my divine brother Asad of the royal family.
        
        Thank you graciously for responding. i am new at this and am not sure how to reply to some of the posts. that's why its up this far from when you spoke of adding our noble brother Drew Ali. and of course i comprehend your design dilemma; thanks again for affording me an answer. Also my heart leapt when you actually asked me the questions below re: uniting and why. they are so worthy of response please give me a moment of contemplation before i respond in post. it teases my spirit that anyone even cares to know what i have to say. although, what i have to say is abit sensitive and disseminating it here will take some care. so again thanx & much love & strength your way. you do have my email correct? if so pls feel free to use it expeditiously… oh and pls share it with yonah should he ask. each one teach one, each one reach one, reach out for me fam.
robbo24

We at some point have to ask ourselves. Is there a substantial stabilizing influence among us? That is to say do we have the glue to keep us together in the midst of all our many differences? For there are many. Christian-Muslim, male-female, light-dark, corporate-middle class, African-American,…..etc.

I submit to Asad that religion is one of the many devices being used against our people. Not to add to the confusion. I don't put up with people asking me personal questions concerning my beliefs. I've done some research as well and a religion who kills people for questioning it's authenticity just as you are doing towards Christianity is just as hypocritical as the frail people who represents Christians in negative and contradictory ways.

With that being said unless we respect each other as Black Men after the same goals of furthering the Black existence as it relates to our civilization and culture. Then we have nothing to build on. I know what's best for me and my family. Unity is best for me and my family. Unity in the village of Black Man between Black Men. We must protect everything between our infants and our elders. That's our jobs. Not condescending one another's choice in doing so.

That stabilizing influence? It's reverence to the ones who suffered before us. We own it to them to work together for the ones that will come after us.

So there it is I'm about unity among my people to obtain sovereignty for the United Black Village of Africa. That's what I know about Christianity. A way of life to better our life in this world and the age to come.
- Yonah El
  
  robbo, I am defined as a hybrid. I am a hybrid in that I have no absolute belief in any of the material concepts of mankind. In the terms of faith, I am a hybrid in that I see both the good and the bad in all religions and do not blindly follow any, but I accept the rudimentary good in all of them. As for Unity, we are indeed in total agreement, but I find that most people are not like me. They have these views that follow ideas as being complete and indivisible. When it comes time to challenge something they reject the challenge and blindly follow leaders. In order for us to acquire unity, we must develop faith in ourselves first and foremost. Then we can walk and work, live, and love together in unity.
  - robbo24
    
    Yonah El when it comes to our personal spiritual choices. They are in fact a choice we as individuals have to make. My take on the issue of unity between Black people. We have to have that undeniable self affirming glue that keep's us together when our differences rear their ugly perspective heads in opposition of said unity.
    
    As it stands now unity in our Black society is loosely based on the interpretations that best serve us as individuals. No long term commitments even aspired towards. The hint of us becoming a solid force for good long term benefiting our future. The frailties of our social fabric tear as easy as if it's made of tissue paper.
    
    I'm saying traditionally strong bonds in our society are prone to deteriorate with just the slightest hint of disagreement. We have to love our communities and ourselves to stick with one another for if nothing else but the survival of our race.
    - Yonah El
      
      You and I are on the same page. I therefore implore you to plan with me a strategy that will make all of our people hybrids as I am. My philosophy is simple. I believe what I believe is for me and I accept what ever you believe is for you. We find as much common ground as we can and when we differ, we accept it, but do not let it break our bond of solidarity, for in our unity is our strength. The perfect example is the Trayvon Martin case. This bs has been going on for years, but now, we are united in this cause, in spite of our differences, and look what a difference we have made.
      
      We must look to the children, and not forget the parents. I look forward to many productive conversations between us in the future. Black Unity, now and forever.
      - robbo24
        
        Very nice of you to say sir. It's a deal,…… It's my strongly held contention that iron sharpens iron. We will sharpen the blade of unity between us to a finely honed edge to cut through the distorted opposition to a bright and prosperous future for our children, a calm and relaxed rest for our elders.
        
        I speak blessings of peace of mind, and clarity of vision to you sir.
      - Gates-Bey
        
        Unity is synonyous with oneness. I concur with Yonal-El position in part. Without doubt or contradiction unity is in its essence the single-mindness of the varied parts, acting in conformity and complimentary.
        
        The problem with diversity is who is willing to compromise and give-way to the broader consensus. Will it be me or you? A full consensus is the onenes and the glue that binds in the time that try men souls. Diversity of the varied parts is a weaknes in the principles and the chain of thought, and perilous to the cause. GATES-BEY
- GenSing
  
  this re-post was in order
  
  a quick story on unity… i was living with a sister who had a giant 2bedroom apt, just she and i. next door were about 5 or more mexican families living in the same layout we had. one day a fight broke out between them it spilled out to where i was smoking, i wasn’t allowed to smoke in the sister’s apt. while out there i witnessed the fight of the century they rolled down the metal stairs to the cement their apt emptied out no one was allowed to break it up they let them fight until they got tired. afterwards the members from the apt helped them the two on their feet and marched them back into the apt. not another sound was heard from them. the whole time i’m thinking had they been black the police would have been called in. the next day on our way to work well, i was headed for the bus where the men in the apartment caught a truck ride to lanscape… as we all walked to the bus stop i notice that the two who had fought where hugging and laughing with their busted up faces and all. later that night when i got home the sister kicked me out of the apt saying i cramped her style because i was practicing islam as a moslem and she was practicing the hari khrisna which was nearly identical in practice. she was angry because at a krishna festival i was recieved as a moor and she was percieved as a copycat and they handled her that way by alienating her and inviting me into the temple while telling her to wait until later she stopped speaking to me and within a week i was kicked to the curb two sisters unable to share a huge 2bedroom apt. as i walked the streets in search for somewhere to live i struck me that, people talk loads of crap about the way mexicans crowd up in one place and make it work, and as i learned its not easy for them but they have less to squabble over so the ultimate goal stays in focus. before she kicked me out i did get to witness two families move out prior to a few new folks who moved in.. but they had helped one family get a auto mechanic shop and the other family a house that the wife did hair out of, i know i promised her i’d let her do my hair and she did a great job. so in conclusion the mexican do not have the baggage we bring to the table you see when they sit down they will be in agreement on some very vital issues like national identity they all agree they are mexican end of story… for us, it would be i’m a nubian, i’m afro/african american, i’m a moor, i’m black and some will fight if you try to stop them from calling them self a nigga. At the table the mexican surely won’t be fighting over religion because they agree they are catholic/santeria a form of voodoo. now we of course will be at the table of cold food arguing over rather we are islamic, christian, buddhism or atheist etc. then comes all the rest of our ills spilling on to our feast. until we can unite on who we are and our unified divine creed we’ll continue to be the but of god awful jokes around the globe. unite now ask me how!
Rasaq Ra EL

There comes a time in every man’s earthly life when he must begin to see with his own eyes. Take for instance the movie “The Matrix” when Neo’s connection with the matrix was severed, when he first opened his eyes they were in pain because he had never used them before and this is where our people find themselves today.

Our 5 senses allow us to receive information on a continually basis but it’s the 6th sense of perception which is the key. Deception is all around us and if your senses are immersed in deception all you will perceive is deception. This deception is amplified when one does not deal in facts, evidence and research.

So in saying that we must choose are words wisely because “religion” is simply man-made. The etymology of the word religion is “to tie or to bind down.” So in other words, religion is a man-made trap that revolves around belief. And beliefs are nothing but blatant expressions of one’s ignorance, for if one knows, why is there a need for belief?
Rasaq Ra El

There comes a time in every man’s earthly life when he must begin to see with his own eyes. Take for instance the movie “The Matrix” when Neo’s connection with the matrix was severed, when he first opened his eyes they were in pain because he had never used them before and this is where our people find themselves today.

Our 5 senses allow us to receive information on a continually basis but it’s the 6th sense of perception which is the key. Deception is all around us and if your senses are immersed in deception all you will perceive is deception. This deception is amplified when one does not deal in facts, evidence and research. So in saying that we must choose are words wisely because “religion” is simply man-made.

Furthermore, the etymology of the word religion is “to tie or to bind down.” So in other words, religion is a man-made trap that revolves around belief. And beliefs are nothing but blatant expressions of one’s ignorance, for if one knows, why is there a need for belief?
Rasaq Ra El

There comes a time in every man's earthly life when he must begin to see with his own eyes. Take for instance the movie "The Matrix" when Neo's connection with the matrix was severed, when he first opened his eyes they were in pain because he had never used them before and this is where our people find themselves today.

Our 5 senses allow us to receive information on a continual basis but its the 6th sense of perception which is key. Deception is all around us and if your senses are immersed in deception, all you will perceive is deception. This deception is amplified when one does not deal in facts, evidence, and research.

So in saying that we must choose are thoughts and words wisely because when you think about it religion as a whold is man-made. And the etymology of the word religion means "to tie or to bind down." So in other words, religion is a man-made trap that revolves around belief. And it is my overstanding that beliefs are nothing but blatant expressions of one's ignorance, for if one knows, why is there a need for belief?
Rasaq Ra El

There comes a time in every man’s earthly life when he must begin to see with his own eyes. Take for instance the movie “The Matrix” when Neo’s connection with the matrix was severed, when he first opened his eyes they were in pain because he had never used them before and this is where our people find themselves today. Our 5 senses allow us to receive information on a continually basis but it’s the 6th sense of perception which is the key. Deception is all around us and if your senses are immersed in deception all you will perceive is deception. This deception is amplified when one does not deal in facts, evidence and research. So in saying that we must choose are words wisely because “religion” is simply man-made. Furthermore, the etymology of the word religion is “to tie or to bind down.” So in other words, religion is a man-made trap that revolves around belief. And beliefs are nothing but blatant expressions of one’s ignorance, for if one knows, why is there a need for belief?
Rasaq Ra EL

Since I'm made in the image of my creator and scripture tells me that the Kingdom of God is within me (Luke 17:20-21)am I not a God?
- Monica
  
  Yes, indeed you are. And that's the main reason why so called Christians should ever call 'Jesus' God.
  - gensing
    
    that's fine but just make sure you don't fall for the hologram jesus in the sky encouraging everyone to follow the leaders to a one world religion or that the Rfi chip is good and the kool aid rainbow is tasty
Yonah El

By all means, we must hone our skills of persuasion and extend our spheres of influence. It is my view that most black people desire black unity, but have been indoctrinated into believing it cannot happen. We must change this doubt into actionable belief and faith in ourselves, without which we can never achieve our objectives. WE are the ones we have been waiting for.
- gensing
  
  a quick story on unity… i was living with a sister who had a giant 2bedroom apt, just she and i. next door were about 5 or more mexican families living in the same layout we had. one day a fight broke out between them it spilled out to where i was smoking, i wasn't allowed to smoke in the sister's apt. while out there i witnessed the fight of the century they rolled down the metal stairs to the cement their apt emptied out no one was allowed to break it up they let them fight until they got tired. afterwards the members from the apt helped them the two on their feet and marched them back into the apt. not another sound was heard from them. the whole time i'm thinking had they been black the police would have been called in. the next day on our way to work well, i was headed for the bus where the men in the apartment caught a truck ride to lanscape… as we all walked to the bus stop i notice that the two who had fought where hugging and laughing with their busted up faces and all. later that night when i got home the sister kicked me out of the apt saying i cramped her style because i was practicing islam as a moslem and she was practicing the hari khrisna which was nearly identical in practice. she was angry because at a krishna festival i was recieved as a moor and she was percieved as a copycat and they handled her that way by alienating her and inviting me into the temple while telling her to wait until later she stopped speaking to me and within a week i was kicked to the curb two sisters unable to share a huge 2bedroom apt. as i walked the streets in search for somewhere to live i struck me that, people talk loads of crap about the way mexicans crowd up in one place and make it work, and as i learned its not easy for them but they have less to squabble over so the ultimate goal stays in focus. before she kicked me out i did get to witness two families move out prior to a few new folks who moved in.. but they had helped one family get a auto mechanic shop and the other family a house that the wife did hair out of, i know i promised her i'd let her do my hair and she did a great job. so in conclusion the mexican do not have the baggage we bring to the table you see when they sit down they will be in agreement on some very vital issues like national identity they all agree they are mexican end of story… for us, it would be i'm a nubian, i'm afro/african american, i'm a moor, i'm black and some will fight if you try to stop them from calling them self a nigga. At the table the mexican surely won't be fighting over religion because they agree they are catholic/santeria a form of voodoo. now we of course will be at the table of cold food arguing over rather we are islamic, christian, buddhism or atheist etc. then comes all the rest of our ills spilling on to our feast. until we can unite on who we are and our unified divine creed we'll continue to be the but of god awful jokes around the globe. unite now ask me how!
  - Yonah El
    
    I would very much like to hear from you. You have an interesting perspective that I would like to pursue. If you would be so kind, I would like to co-write and article with you in which we do a point~counterpoint conversation about the topic of your choice. As with your mexican neighbors, I would like to mix it up with you and get down and dirty, but when the discussion is over, be able to give you the proverbial brotherly/sisterly hug. I would like to reintroduce to our people the concept of disagreement without anger, struggle, without war, and love as the all conquering hero in all of our encounters. Please choose the subject and let us take opposite sides and present the verbal result on this website for the public to see. Feel free to contact me at your leisure.
dipo

Fact has it that jesus is a descendant of king David, David son of jesse from the tribe of judah. Judah was one of the sons of jacob, jacob was the grandson of Abraham and abraham a descendant of shem son of Noah. Noah had three sons. Ham(father of the entire black race), japheth(father of the whites) and finally shem(ancestor to jesus christ and all jews). So how can Jesus be black????? It is even in the bible that jesus was born a jew. You coming with a different hypothesis means the bible is a lie. You better watch your tongue before you see the wrath of God. It seems you are motivated by your in securities that's why u have come with this your baseless hypothesis. It seem you are more interested in racial war than preaching the gospel itself. I wonder what kind of a christian you are. Don't get me wrong, am also a Negro so don't think this is a racist induced discussion but I just don't like people using christianity as a tool for such meaningless racist statements
- gensing
  
  sounds like something you should say to the isrealies who neither celebrate so called jesus nor chritianity the very chosen people zionist posing as isrealites/jews shall be the greatest blasphemy against the great gods love and mercy when they finish with the palestinian people to push the rest of us to war.
- Famousred
  
  There is a study, 'Black History told by the Prophets', that biblically proves Jesus is indeed Black. Song of Solomon 1:5-6 I am Black, but comely,O ye daughters of Jerusalem, As the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon vs.6 Look not upon me because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me, my Mother's children were angry with me; They made me the keeper of the vineyards; But mine own vineyard have I not kept. Most people say it is Solomon who is refering to being black, but who is the keeper of the vineyard, and who is the vineyard? Is. 5:1-7, vs. 1-3 is talking about the Lord putting everything into his vineyard but it only produced wild grapes..The Lord is the keeper of the vineyard, and Isreal is the vineyard..A more in depth study explains who the true Isreal is and Rev.2:9 and Rev. 3:9 speak of the people now who claim to be Jews are not "and I know the blasphemy of them, which say they are Jews and are not". In order to "preach the Gospel" you must know the truth. If you go to church on Sunday, or celebrate pagan Holidays, you do not know the truth, espicially if you celebrate easter, thats the clincher for me..Learn the truth The Isreal of God has the truth, go to their web site, but don't forget to put the THE in front of Isreal.
  - Yonah El
    
    In order for the prophecies to be true, there had to be a imitator, or in this case, an imitator race. Once we were sent into captivity, it stands to reason that some one would want to claim our heritage. It is like the lies told in this country. They have lied to everyone so long that except for the very elect, they are all deceived. In that case, it is the ruling body ( the plutocrats and oligarchs who maintain the status quo as they continue to profit from the stolen lives and human capital of our people.) They are the same people who worshiped the golden calf and still do to this day. Slowly, but surely, our people are being gathered from all parts of the earth and we can verify this by the plethora of Organizations dedicated to Black Unity. As time goes on, we will see a blending of these organizations until we are one people once again. At this time, our solemn authority and power will be reclaimed and the comes the judgement.
    - famousred16
      
      Some one did take the land and heritage…The Edomites, from the line of Esau. The People it talks about in Revelation. Yes, his chosen people, the ones who believe will be gathered together from the four winds of heaven.
Yonah El

Hello Dipo.

Thank you for your response. I have a question or two for you. Do you include Solomon in the lineage of the Messiah? If so, tell me about his mother? Bathsheba. The Queen of Sheba. Ethiopia. Let us start there.

As for the bible being a lie. The Council of Nicea was called in 325 AD. It had one purpose. To add to, and take from the extant scriptures and formulate a canon. And edition of the scriptures that we commonly accepted by a select group.

This is a verifiable fact. These men decide what would and would not be in the bible. There is no mention in the bible of Easter. Today, we find Easter to be the focal point of Christian faith. The fact that the Messiah never mentioned it should give one pause. Even more, The messiah was celebrating Passover. He worshiped Saturday as his sabbath and he kept the high holy days. How do you reconcile this with modern Christianity? They claim he is their leader, but they do not follow the very things that he followed with absolute dedication.

Also, I never declared myself to be a christian. I state my position as one who is a seeker of the truth. A truth that at times has taken me places I did not want to go, but I cannot reject the truth because it conflicts with my beliefs. You would do well to seek first the truth and adjust your belief system accordingly, not bend, or reject the truth in order to preserve your belief system.

I would be more than happy to delineate via the bible, or any other selection of books you choose the veracity of my position. Are you willing, or capable of doing the same?
- http://unitedblackamerica.com Asad
  
  The Bible may or may not be a lie, but it is DEFINITELY incomplete. You Christians today are operating with only a percentage of the knowledge you claim to have. Before you go spouting off about how well you know your God and your Bible, consider that the following books are all MISSING FROM THE BIBLE:
  
  Epistle of Barnabas
  
  First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians
  
  Second Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians
  
  The letter of the Smyrnaeans or the Martyrdom of Polycarp
  
  The Shepherd of Hermas
  
  The Book of Enoch
  
  Gospel of Judas (130-170 AD)
  
  Gospel of Thomas (140-180 AD)
  
  The Psalms of Solomon
  
  The Odes of Solomon
  
  The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs
  
  Second Baruch
  
  Third Baruch
  
  The Books of Adam and Eve
  
  The Acts of Phillip
  
  First Esdras (150-100 BC)
  
  Second Esdras (100 AD)
  
  Tobit (200 BC)
  
  Judith (150 BC)
  
  Additions to Esther (140-130 BC)
  
  Wisdom of Solomon (30 BC)
  
  Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) (132 BC)
  
  Baruch (150-50 BC)
  
  Letter of Jeremiah (300-100 BC)
  
  Susanna (200-0 BC)
  
  Bel and the Dragon (100 BC)
  
  Additions to Daniel (Prayer of Azariah) (200-0 BC)
  
  Prayer of Manassesh (100-0 BC)
  
  First Maccabees (110 BC)
  
  Second Maccabees (110-170 BC)
  
  Didache
- gensing
  
  also let's not forget that christians left the catholic church but took with them all the pagan worshiping unknowing and will not be enlightened. Easter is a english translation of ishtar a babylonian godess who was said to love rabbits etc. the three wise men are a code language of the astrological movement of the heavenly body of planets. of course the jesus is the sun and his 12 decipels are the signs or degrees of this circle of life. let's not forget that the story of the sacred mother and child has been done many times before christianity got the idea in fact they are simply mimicking the isis haros of egypt, Babylon has the say story in their history, india too, if you just seek a little the rest would fall out on you, how many before the church spoke of a virgin birth, the whole jesus story has been ripped from the pages of a host of others right down to the death its astounding!
  - gensing
    
    mis-spelled horus
    - Yonah El
      
      So, do you include the number 13 and the significance of it in both this and other stories? For instance, you mention 12 disciples. But, Judas was rejected, but replaced. That means we have 13 disciples. Once must admit that prior to Judas rejection, he was indeed a disciple. So also in the Hebrew months of the year, there are at times 12 months and at others 13 months. There is much to discuss about the hidden symbolism within the visible knowledge accessible to us. What are we to make of such things?
      - GenSing
        
        i like what you're saying also there is the 13th sign Ophiuchus which would sit right in the middle of the milky way and its meaning is mind blowing against the back drop of todays reverbirating energies spiritual and un natural
        
        love, learn & prosper
      - Yonah El
        
        I take your response to be an acceptance of my offer/challenge to co-write an opinion piece. After reading your posts, I may find it difficult to take and opposing view as we agree on so much, but nevertheless, I would like to see what we come up with when we compare notes and post them for the public. Asad would have to approve, but I think he would encourage the article. "What do we make of such things" The Nag Hammadi Library, the Pistis Sophia, The lost books of the old and new testaments, The Divine Pymander, Sefer Yetzirah, I look forward to the day we can do point counter point for public consumption, or maybe it will be point and point forward with no looking back, except to acknowledge the ancestors and the great body of work they have left to guide us in our struggles.
        
        Shall we prepare a feast of meat for adults who are awake and aware and leave the consumption of milk for those who are yet to mature in this spiritual search for the truth?
        
        Love, Peace, Truth, Freedom and Justice
        
        One Love
      - GenSing
        
        Greetings heavens most favorite son, i trust all is well with you and yours.
        
        My brother Yonah, i couldn't reply to your last note to me regarding a friendly debate, so i posted it here. Well first i fell in knowledge with your comment about building together for the betterment of our divine community. First tho, i was indeed agreeing with you and find your depth of knowledge impressive. that said i'd be honor to assist in any way that would wrench the chain from our families mind. i trust our illustrious brother Asad will support the exchange, don't know how good a debate i could offer you and our community yet, i am open to the opportunity. love, learn & prosper ltpf&j
Yonah El

Actually Asad, there are quite a few more that are missing. Including the Gospel of Peter. Considering the position of Peter with regards to the other Apostles this in and of itself is problematic. To think that a group of self appointed elders decided to review the books of the bible and decide what could be left in and what should be taken out is not foreign. History is replete with situations where select bits and pieces of history are deleted because they do not serve the purpose of the ruling party. All on has to do is research civilization and you will find that Either, Rome, or Greece is identified as the seat of civilized society. Or, you will find references to the Egyptians as being a white race. Even the depictions of the people in the bible, including Jesus are always rendered as being white.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. The cradle of civilization and first modernistic society was in the black community. Egyptians were a race of people of color. All of western civilization was a reflection of what was learned from these black civilizations. Even the people in the bible were people of color. Solomon was the son of Bathsheba. Queen of Ethiopia. We can go on, even today, we find that the Tea Party wants to rewrite history and remove any reference to slave ownership by our founding fathers. Because it does not reflect well on the idea of our founding fathers as hypocritical. Speaking of equality on the one hand and owning slaves on the other.

The constant changing of the law to correct the errors, only to fail to honor the commitments when the recipients, or beneficiaries are black.

We could go on, but….what's the point?
- GenSing
  
  aaaw well, i guess i go there at times. it's like an elder once told me concerning the nazarene and giving christianity back to the european, as it was as Noble Drew Ali said designed for europes earthly salvation, and in throwing out the dirty water becareful not to through out the baby. We got as our baby food in our quest to elevate that the yahsua was an activist just as was explained in this featured post, and the fact the churched held back the 18 missing yrs of yashua's life no one can be sure and its all merely an exercise mind muscle to go back and forth. so i tossed a lot of what came from the church while still embracing the basic instructions before leaving earth as a gift from my ancestors who were trying to tell me the same ancient story told by their ancestors and so on and so on down to the sumarians. and when the nazarene came bearing that truth they tortured our beloved brother for showing the people the true power within, he said men would do greater things works then him, and they seen him do great things. also, he said he didn't come to change the laws but to enforce them and palestine with the arm of europe to totally subvert the law. the church is so brazen with it that the pope has an inverted cross upon is throne check it out. then as we grew in comprehension jesus becomes a code of mystisim occult while yashua's message is lost. still i managed to toss the dirty water without the baby feel me love learn & prosper
  - Yonah El
    
    GinSeng I am touched by your humility. One does not light a candle and put it under a basket. On the contrary, it is placed upon a pedestal, or hung from a high place that that light may be seen by others from a far distance and be led, or guided thereby. We await the dawning of the light. Shine Lady light that those in darkness may be led into the pleasant and sometime harsh reality of the present in which we live,thrive, suffer and die. Yet shine your light that those who open their eyes can be lifted and assisted by your light be strengthened and capable of avoiding the many pitfalls hidden in the dark. Shine m'lady and light the dark paths of those seeking a better way. We await your radiance.
    
    And fear not, for we also shall give our light to your light that together, we may enlighten many, or few souls who are searching for awareness upon this path which is dark and confusing and filled with peril.
    - GenSing
      
      O' favorite Sun/Son of heaven, now that's love right there and your words couldn't have come at a better time thanx. you and Asad be sure to contact me so i can tell you two about a very vip call sunday and i know yall would be dismayed if you missed it. i told Asad he can share my email address with you so that we can correspond on more than just the site here. love, truth, peace, freedom and justice to you and yours. llp
      - Yonah El
        
        I look forward to it GenSing. you can reach me at moveondave@gmail.com, or at Yonah El on facebook. I look forward to hearing from you. Peace.
reeree

There is a discrepancy in your article. Your statement was, "they identified slaves as 3/5ths of a man and regarded them as descendants of Job’s cursed son – Ham." Ham was the son of Noah not Job.

Even though I question a lot of so called religious beliefs myself, I have a problem with your article. You make a lot of assumptions but where is the proof? Why do you not provide references? You seem to be giving us a lot of your own opinions without providing any basis for them.
- Yonah El
  
  A typo? Didn't you see the reading list for additional information? Do you have a specific challenge, or are you only concerned about the typo?
- http://unitedblackamerica.com Asad
  
  What do you mean "wheres the proof"? This author did an outstanding job of citing so many historical sources that have been independently evaluated that ANYONE can come to the simple conclusion that Christianity has been bastardized by the west.
  - Yonah El
    
    Asad, please contact me. A mutual friend has some important information that I would like to share with you.
    - http://unitedblackamerica.com Asad
      
      We still need to get in touch, brotha. Also, when can we expect part two of this post?
http://www.facebook.com/sndolunkulu Shabaka Ndolunkulu

Chrstianity and Islam were and are tools used by our current slavemasters/rulers to mintain control over millions of people worldwide to maintain their policies of Eurocentrism and Arab nationalism. Many of us decry the white man’s use of Christianity, but don’t see the same evil of Arab nationalism in Islam. Some us are afraid of pissing off our so-called brothers, the Arabs! Both of these religions were developed using the concepts developed in Africa long before Christianity and Islam were created!!!!
- http://unitedblackamerica.com Asad
  
  Thanks for that comment. Islam has been just as destructive (if not more) than Christianity. Neither are indigenous African spiritual systems, and both should be revealed for what they are! Great comment!

What Do We Know About Christianity?

What Do We Know About Christianity

Using Religion to Justify Slavery

Further Reading

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