Evangelism: Religion And Slavery In The Southern States

Beginning in 1770, slaves in the southern states began to convert to evangelism religions such as Methodist and Baptist Faiths. Ways of worship such as clapping, dancing and singing were encouraged by evangicals, which was similar to African worship patterns. The idea that Christians were equal in the sight of God was a message that provided hope to slaves. In 1800, emphasis was placed on Protestant evangelicalism, individual freedom and direct communication with God. In 1810, slave trade in the U.S. came to an end. During this time period, whites would insist on slave attendance at the white controlled church where ministers promoted obedience to ones master. Blacks saw white actions as a mockery of the "true" Christian message of equality

People craved spiritual leadership and development. Methodism was a solution to the situation because it involved little theology (the concept of "God" and religious ideas) and less ritual. It consisted of personal experience based on faith. Methodism was introduced to the people, both freed and slaves, by preachers who didn’t allow anything to stop them from spreading the word. However, many resented the preachers interference with their way of life, causing many preachers to be physically attacked and churches to be

There was a period of religious revivalism known as "awakenings." With previously enslaved people experiencing freedom, the tasks of organizing communities, finding jobs and figuring out how to live as an American citizen came about. Blacks were no longer property. Having already gained freedom, northerners wanted to bring their black churches to the south. History with Antislavery and political activity convinced Northern black Protestants that they could play the major role of adjusting freed slaves to the American life. Between 1865 and 1900, there was growth of independent black churches in the Southern states. In the 19th century, protestant religion grew among African Americans leading to the birth of "black churches" in the U.S. Predominantly white churches, also sponsored missions to help freed slaves, opening schools and aiding the general welfare of Southern blacks. Within a decade, two churches (the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AMEZ)) acquired Southern memberships by hundreds of thousands, surpassing any other organizations. In 1894, black Baptists formed the National Baptist Convention, the largest black religious organization in the United