Hypocrisy And Neghoods In The Narrative Of Frederick Douglass

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In modern society, many of the wrong religious ideas and falsehoods that were around during the time that Douglass wrote his narrative are still thriving today in the religious world. Frederick Douglass witnessed firsthand how people can claim the name of God, and turn around and spit harsh profanity out at one of their slaves in a dehumanizing manner. Many malicious slave owners deceived themselves into believing that they were truly men of God. Some of the slave drivers that Douglass wrote about in his narrative seemed to be angels at their churches and in their religious meetings, but Douglass compared them to having the disposition of a demon. The Narrative of Frederick Douglass portrays many negative aspects about religion, but Frederick …show more content…

No, slavery is no longer legal, nor are there African American slaves to the degree that there were in Douglass’ time, but there is still plenty of hypocrisy in religion. There are many who claim religion, but they also live a life of sin. The perfect example from Douglass’ narrative is Mr. Covey, the “nigger-breaker.” (948) Mr. Covey was, “a professor of religion—a pious soul—a member and a class-leader in the Methodist church.” (948) In the narrative, Douglass even wrote that, “few men would at times appear more devotional than he.” (950) This deceptive life style that is exampled in the narrative cannot go hand in hand with Christianity, and Douglass knew that. Every person, in every nation, of every language can use Douglass’ narrative as a reference to exemplify any form of hypocrisy and learn from it. The hypocrisy may take on many different forms, but professing the name of Jesus Christ and simultaneously breaking any of God’s commandments, be they big or small, is and will always be, utterly heartbreaking to God. Douglass wrote that Master Thomas and his wife would pray to God for blessings in their, “basket and store,” but at the same time leave their slaves “perishing with hunger” while plenty of food was stored in the smoke-house. (946) The Bible talks about feeding the hungry, taking care of the sick, clothing the poor, and many other similar acts of love and kindness. The Bible is the holy book for the Christian religion and what a person who claims Christianity should model their life after. The slave owners, particularly Master Thomas, directly disobeyed the word of God in treated his slaves so

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