Religion is and was an important way for African American's to find freedom

James Lance Taylor, PhD, is the first history professor to visits with us to discuss the role Religion has played in American History. Historically religion was used to find solace in a time where the pain of being enslaved was too much to bear. Religion was used partially to assist slaves to ease their pain, On the other hand religion also was used by people such as David Walker 1829, Nat Turner in Virginia, Maria Stewart of Boston who proposed that "Slavery is a sin". The pulpit was used throughout history to empower African Americans to support the freedom movement.

Dr. James Taylor states that religion is interwoven in the self understanding of Americans and their relationship toward each other. He points out that what makes Americans different from every other nation in the world is the fact that every race of the world is integrated in the American fabric of society. Africans who were important to US society often were Muslims, Lutherans, or Catholics. Many leaders emerged in the African Community.

During slavery the churches were used to sometimes control the slave population. Next

George Y. Pearson interviews Dr. James Taylor
Religion and its impact on African American Life
Click for Part Two of our six part series.