ame-today.net

[blackview]

since i have seen veritas posted in 2010, thot about gettin' the ball rollin with a nice and controversial topic! this is hardly posted, however, for the mere sake of controversy. it is EXSPECTED to be so, not because that is MY intention, but i understanding what tends to be our religious reliance as an african people on the dominant cultural's interpretation of what we believe. cough cough, now then let me begin: all religious systems are a culturally determined interpretation of ultimate reality. more specifically, they are a particular people's attempt to codify spirituality from their unique perspective. the revelations as well as the practices and dogmas that come from the religion will reflect that culture by default ( unless there is a conscious effort to ensure otherwise ). much of what we as africans accept religiously as "universal" and applicable to all human kind and times. is in reality, someone else's view of the necessities of the faith. this does not mean that an african (at home on the continent or abroad) can not or should not engage in faith systems other than thier own, what it does mean is that we need to be aware of ourselves and what is in our cultural interest if we are to survive as a people. for instance, as i alluded to in previous post, it is hardly in our interest to accept the euro inspired position that maintains humankind enter this life a born miscreant. that anti-human behavior is innate to the species. it is only natural if one is a thief to believe that everyone else is a thief too, or how would you be able to justify your plundering of the other peoples or the world? (if you think that politics has nothing to do with any religion, you may be confusing religion with true spirituality -- that was not a reference to francis schaeffer bro.veritas) hmmm i seem to be outa rooooom.
_________________
"...which is why the matrix was redesigned to this: the peak of YOUR civililization. i say'your' civilization because as soon as we started thinking for you, it really became our civilization" -- agent smith from "the matrix"

[blackview]

continuing my previous post: TRUE spirituality recognizes the innate goodness in all people. this is the perspective of the majority peoples of the world. and it was the main view of africans before euro-christianity. the gospel of john, in speaking of jesus, even says that he is the light that lights every man that comes into the world ( i think that includes george bush--darn ). in no other field of endeavor is the "minority report" thought to prove its validity, but somehow, we are to cast aside what we have for centuries shared in common with people the world over, in favor of a position that serves to absolve a particular people of THIER inhumanity towards others and in effect, make everyone else an accomplice. well now i will just wait to see if there are any comments, rebutals or the like before continuing
_________________
"...which is why the matrix was redesigned to this: the peak of YOUR civililization. i say'your' civilization because as soon as we started thinking for you, it really became our civilization" -- agent smith from "the matrix"

[blackview]

it is unfortunate we as a people do not have on a regular basis, the opportunity to discuss such important issues as brought up in this post. it seems to me, the more objectively i try to view the ame church, the more i am convinced that it is quickly going the way of the nation of islam i.e. draging much of the baggage of a former oppressor's culture into what they believe is THEIR faith as africans. this type of " religious neo-colonialism" has left us collectively waving the "flag" of being african, yet allowing our "religious economy" to continue to be interpreted by someone other than ourselves! i recall someone here suggesting that the name should be changed to the "african-american methodist episcaple" churh -- political contradition that it is ( something akin to being refered to as somehow having an identity as a "nazi-jew" -- contradiction). nevertheless, this witness seems to be the current confusion in identity suffered by far too many in this organization. do not attempt to ajust your "radio" there is nothing wrong with being "african period".
_________________
"...which is why the matrix was redesigned to this: the peak of YOUR civililization. i say'your' civilization because as soon as we started thinking for you, it really became our civilization" -- agent smith from "the matrix"