Religion in Slave Life

          Baker highlights the importance of religion in the lives, education, and community of slaves.  Historical evidence suggests that slave owners were uncertain of whether to convert their slaves to Christianity, but those who did made an effort to use religion to prevent insurrection or questions of authority.  Makungu Akinyela, a professor of African American Studies, points out that preachers focused on parts of the bible which encouraged loyalty to one’s master, while ignoring stories of the Israelites’ liberation or the compassion of Jesus.  Despite legal restrictions and a lack of biblical literacy among many slaves, Christianity helped the slaves develop a sense of community, particularly by adapting the African tradition of oral storytelling to the stories of the bible.  The power of religion in the slave community became even more pronounced when educated religious leaders, such as Nat Turner, began to encourage the slaves to embrace the liberation, compassion, and salvation which Christianity promises.

"Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves"  Leviticus 25:44 (New International Version)

"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ"  Ephesians 6:5 (New International Version)

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery"  Galatians 5:1 (New International Version)

The first passage from Leviticus was used to legally and morally justify slavery.  The two other passages offer an example of what parts of the bible white preachers would include and exclude from their ministry to slave congregations.