Introducing african american religion edition 1 by anthony. African religions and philosophy is a good book and mbiti is a good man to write it. History africans captured and brought to america were able to hold on to some of the religious practices common to their native land. Throughout africanamerican history, religion has been indelibly intertwined with the fight against intolerance and racial prejudice. Eight leading scholars have joined forces to give us the most comprehensive book to date on the history of africanamerican religion from the slavery period to the present.
Despite differences in their origins and individual histories, the historic black. It examines the intersection of black religion and colonialism over. Hollywood be thy name african american religion in. Pinn, varieties of africanamerican religious experience. In the first book to examine how the movies constructed images of african american religion, judith weisenfeld explores these cinematic representations and how they reflected and contributed to. The old african american hoodoo system by katrina hazzarddonald discusses what the author calls. Albert j raboteau examines the history of religious practice by african americans and the development of religious institutions, regional movements, and important personalities from the time of slavery up to the.
The story of african american religion is a tale of variety and creative fusion. In the southern colonies, where most american slaves lived, anglican missionaries led the way. Throughout american history, the black church has occupied a distinctive position in the lives of african americans as the traditional institutional core of african american communities barnes, 2009. Surveying the two areas in african american religious studies where the body has been given the most attentiontheology and ethicswe conclude that much of this theological and ethical work provides limited and narrow attention to the nature of embodiment. A very short introduction very short introductions book 397 kindle edition by glaude jr. It argues that the phrase african american religion is meaningful only insofar as it describes how through religion, african americans have responded to oppressive conditions. Throughout africanamerican history, religion has been indelibly intertwined with. The story of africanamerican religion is a tale of variety and creative fusion.
In addition, there are elements of indigenous religion in african cultural practices. List of books and articles about african religions online. Conversations and studies regarding african american religion have been biased toward theistic orientations. Throughout african american history, religion has been indelibly intertwined with the fight against intolerance and racial prejudice. Religious landscape survey conducted by the pew research centers forum on religion and public life. African americans and religion oxford research encyclopedia. At the end of the 20th century, muslims worshiped throughout much of the continent. This years best books in african american religion religion.
In fact, these books are often very popular with white readers as they introduce a way of making christ a part of everyday thought and behavior that is new to some. The best books on african religion and witchcraft five. The best books on african religion and witchcraft recommended by jean fontaine. African religions and philosophy is a systematic study of the attitudes of mind and belief that have evolved in the many societies of africa. We are pleased to provide books on the african experience world wide, as well as books on the african american experience from your favorite african american authors. These religious practices were held in secret away from white slave owners. Seventyeight percent are protestant, and a majority belongs to the traditional black churches, including the national baptist. Introducing african american religion world religions 9780415694018. Africans were a religious people long before encountering european slavers and christian missionaries. Raboteau author of slave religion in this brilliant work johnson offers an innovative examination and interpretation of the intersection of african american religions, colonialism, democracy, and freedom. This school of thought contends that the african american religion that remains to this day is a reworked christianity crafted to meet the unique social context of the african american. Bradby and the making of urban detroit, author julia marie robinson explores how bradbys church became the catalyst for economic empowerment, community building, and the formation of an urban african american working class in detroit.
A very short introduction very short introductions book 397. Enslaved africans transported to the new world beginning in the fifteenth century brought with them a wide range of local religious beliefs and practices. This book, from the religion in american life series, covers a broader topic than its title suggests. The theoretical and analytical foundation of african american religious studies was initially laid by the prophetic voices of new world blacks such as frederick douglass 1817 1895 and david walker, who put forth critical proclamations that challenged the spiritual integrity of christian americans while making qualitative distinctions. Christianity is the religion practiced by the great majority of africanamericans, according to the 2007 u. This is an outstanding book that provides the reader with an indepth understanding of religion in the lives of african americans. Anthony b pinn a close look at the religious landscape of african american communities presents a layered religious reality comprising many faiths and practices. African american religions and religious beliefs spring from this communitys history of oppression as well as its african roots. The twohundred and forty two pages, divided into introduction, 5 chapters, notes, bibliography and index, are proposed as a challenge to. March and comments on african american churches today, the book takes in. Becoming americas problem child african american religous cultures. Beginning with albert raboteaus essay on the importance of the story of exodus among african american christians and concluding with clayborne carsons work on martin luther king, jr. The larger impact of this african american theological movement, rather, lay in producing a major shift in the intellectual study of black religion and culture as dozens of african american theologians began incorporating an engaged analysis of race. This book offers a creative and unique approach to the history of african american religion.
Today, the continents various populations and individuals are mostly adherents of christianity, islam, and to a lesser extent several traditional african religions. African american music has a rich history rooted in the brutal treatment of slaves who were shipped from west africa from the 1600s onwards. Paul, minnesota, has set an ambitious task for his first book, varieties of african american religious experience. A very short introduction explores the history and circumstances of african american religion through three examples. These products are our current recommendations for you. As a result, africans still feel a significant influence from traditional african cosmologies and beliefs.
Books of interest to african americans and people of color. Beginning with albert raboteaus essay on the importance of the story of exodus among africanamerican christians and concluding with clayborne carsons work on martin luther king, jr. Raboteau author of slave religion in this brilliant work johnson offers an innovative examination and interpretation of the intersection of african american religions, colonialism, democracy, and. The african american religious experience in america book. Since the first african american denomination was established in philadelphia in 1818, churches have gone beyond their role as spiritual guides in african american communities and have served as civic institutions, spaces for education, and sites for the cultivation of individuality and identities in the face of limited or nonexistent freedom.
Ten books you should read to understand american religion. Introducing african american religion includes illustrations, summaries, discussion questions and suggestions for further reading as well as a glossary and chronology, helping students to become familiar with the main terms of the traditions discussed and to place their development in historical context. Very insightful if you want a slightly different approach to the question of what african american religion actually entails. From the earliest years of sound film in america, hollywood studios and independent producers of race films for black audiences created stories featuring african american religious practices. African american religions, 15002000 by sylvester a. Hoodoo is a mixture of various african religious practices created by enslaved africans in the new world. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading african american religion.
Hoodoo, also known as lowcountry voodoo in the gullah south carolina lowcountry, is a traditional african american spirituality that developed from a number of west african spiritual traditions and beliefs. Pinn, assistant professor of religious studies at macalester college in st. This book disrupts commonlyheld assumptions about the religious sensibility, or lack thereof, of one of americas greatest intellectuals. African american religion combines meticulously researched historical facts with a fastpaced, engaging narrative that will appeal to readers of any age. A sense of community that served as a base social solidarity and leadership cutting across denominational lines emerged as african american religion developed through much of american history the ministry was the only profession open to blacks and churches were the only institutions they controlled. I do somewhat disagree with the jump between two different periods of time but this jump is understandable once you read through the whole book. It will be especially helpful in the teaching of undergraduate and graduate courses in african american history and. Eight leading scholars have joined forces to give us the most comprehensive book to date on the history of african american religion from the slavery period to the present. Introducing african american religion offers a creative and unique approach to the history of african american religion. Both historical and empirical research findings provide a context for understanding religion in the lives of african americans. The larger impact of this african american theological movement, rather, lay in producing a major shift in the intellectual study of black religion and culture as dozens of african american theologians began incorporating an engaged analysis of race, class, gender, and sexuality into the study of religion.
African american religous life and the story of nimrod. This work provides an introduction to this religious. One of the most important developments in african american culture in this era was the spread of christianity within both the slave and free black communities. This book will be mandatory reading for anyone interested in african american and atlantic world history. What is african american religion facets series on jstor. Since the first african american denomination was established in philadelphia in 1818, churches have gone beyond their role as spiritual guides in african. This diversity reflected the many cultures and linguistic groups from which they had come.
List of books and articles about african religions. Most are from a christian perspective biographies, devotionals, bibles, childrens books, urban christian fiction. List of books and articles about african american music. Comprehensive, systematic, analytic, and very well written, it sets a new high water mark in the social scientific study of religion and life in the african american community.
Moving beyond institutional history that dominates other books, this volume provides a readerfriendly depiction of the major issues, themes, and problems confronted by african americans involved in a variety of traditions. Religion in the lives of african americans sage publications inc. African traditional religion by parrinder, geoffrey and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. It surveys the history of african americans, emphasizing how events shaped beliefs and faith and helped form denominations, and how religion impacted movements and events. My attention in the previous chapter to black churches and the nation of islamas two of the more widely analyzed and described traditions in the study of african american religionwas meant to suggest this bias by presenting the story of african american religion familiar to and.
In this second edition, dr mbiti has updated his material to include the involvement of women in religion, and the potential unity to be found in what was once thought to be a mass of quite separate religions. This book provides a narrative historical, postcolonial account of african american religions. Olaudah equianos memoirs, published in 1789 in england and two years later in america, depict the integral relationship of religion to traditional. Race, religion, and the pulpit wayne state university press. The similarities of folk beliefs the similarities of folk beliefs and practices worldwide provide amazing insight into the ible, especially the old testament. Religion in africa is multifaceted and has been a major influence on art, culture and philosophy. Embodiment and the new shape of black theological thought. A sense of community that served as a base social solidarity and leadership cutting across denominational lines emerged as african american religion developed through much of american history the ministry was the only profession open to blacks and.
Early african american music encapsulates the enduring spirit of the people who were transported to the united states. In christian or islamic communities, religious beliefs are also sometimes characterized with syncretism with the beliefs and practices. It argues that the phrase african american religion is meaningful only insofar as it describes how through religion, african. Tracing what it has meant to be african american and religious within the context of the united states, it provides a vital snapshot of some of the traditions that have shaped the religious imagination of the country. Americas bestknown champion of civil libertieswas a baptist minister. African american christian books validate this unique way of celebrating faith. This isnt so true now, but this is the best and most famous book ever written from that perspective and raises challenging questions about our own day and the american dream. The introduction to embodying black religion discusses the reason for the texts emergence as well as its scope and trajectory. It also happens to be the book i was reading on 911. Anthony pinn has enthusiastically researched and written about african american religious experiences within and beyond the formation and practice of black christianity. The african american religious experience in america. Africanamerican religion religion in american life. Hollywood be thy name african american religion in american.
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