Below is my response to a question on my final exam in "Racial and Ethnic Groups" at Texas A and M University on this week. It's a bit lengthy. However, after receiving such a strong grade and positive feedback from Dr. Benibo, I thought I would share:
Question: According to Marx, "religion is the opium of the masses." What did he mean by this statement? Critically assess the validity of this statement with respect to the role of religion in the evolution of the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S.
[Acclaimed Sociologist Karl Marx declared religion as "the opium of the people." This was an idiom spoken with much truth and historical relevance in his day and time. In the very reality of unjust slave trade, and their cruel treatment, it seems that blasphemous rhetoric became the means for trying to legitimize such practices. Churches, Synagogues, Pastors, and Priests, who consequently owned slaves themselves, would preach fiery heartfelt sermons from bible passages like Ephesians 6:5 and Colossians 3:22. Both declaring, "slaves obey your masters as unto the Lord." The slaves would absorb the Christianity as falsely preached by these prophets of dismay. They considered themselves, as result of this prompting, to be in a place of honor as slaves. They somehow accepted the idea that God would exalt them through such humiliating servitude. "You've been faithful over a few things, now enter into the joy of the Lord and be ruler over many things." The old 100's and Negro Spirituals were all "opiates" to numb the pains of their predicament. "I got shoes, you got shoes, all God's chillan got shoes." An edification and encouragement to those thousands who were made to labor tirelessly in fields, etc. barefoot. "Guide me o'er thy great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land. I am weak, but thou art mighty. Hold me with thy powerful hand." These songs, and others, were attempts to embrace a gospel (good news) that most of them could not even read. They were being force-fed a misrepresented preachment in order to salvage some "cognitive dissonance" as relates to their disenfranchisement.
Though Marx's statement about this "opium" had some historical relevance, it's great news to discover a new contemporary era that would switch this "opium" into a "stimulant."
Through the reformation, printing press, education/literacy, etc we witnessed a transformation of the role of the church and religion. Terms like "black liberation gospel" came to exist. The church became a place to stimulate people to rise against social ills and injustice. There were four things the church would prove to do in this "stimulating" process:
1) Awaken- "Rise, take up your bed, and walk." "Lazarus come forth." "You're the head and not the tale, above only and not beneath." These would have all been text/messages preached in order to encourage it's people to "rise" above oppression and injustice. The church brought to light these problems to it's people in an attempt to "awaken" an interest in change.
2) Equip- It was the church that would equip the people for the work of civil rights, active nonviolence, etc. The church, and it's leaders, assumed this as one of their primary responsibilities. Ephesians 4:11-12- And he gave some to be Apostles, some prophets, some evangelist, and some pastors and teachers (v.12) for the EQUIPPING of the saints for the work of ministry.
3) Organize- The church during the civil rights movement, was the meeting place for information, strategy, and organization. They accepted the word that says, "a three-strand cord is not easily broken." Their reality, in this struggle, was Amos 3:3 "how can two walk together unless they first agree?" Much like in the second chapter of Acts, they would receive their power "together" and "in one place." This "one place" would prove to be God's church.
4) Protection- the church was also a place where the people would find protection and sanctuary when feeling afraid or threatened as result of "the work." Psalm 46- God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
So, we see the effects of Revelation can be persuaded by interpretation and subsequent presentation. What once HELD and MINIMIZED a people (opium), now HELPED and MOBILIZED a people (stimulant).]
I know it's long...(It was four pages hand written) But, in light of these realities, I think it's fair to challenge ourselves as proclaimers of the gospel to ascertain that we aren't wavering into the shady area of "Prosperity Preaching" that only seeks to anesthetize people. Many false prophets are only seeking to give the people sedatives and opiate-like presentation. Ironically, the result and "expected end" of the "prosperity preachers" is no different than in slave times. They birth congregations of masses who have accepted and embraced their enslavement, while looking to their leaders (masters) as the great hope. These false prophets, just like then, only seek to gain and "prosper" by fleecing the flock of it's resource and vitality. This often times, like in history, requires a inaccurate and unbiblical approach to life's circumstances in order to enslave one and empower another. We have an obligation to be sound bible expositors who share a solid word from God. Yes, there is comfort in the word of God. There are many times in which people need to hear of God's unfailing love, unmerited favor, sufficient grace, unhindered omniscience, and unchallenged omnipotence in the midst of trial. However, even those exhortations should be done in a doctrinally sound way. If not, we threaten to be nothing more than pushers of an addictive, mind numbing opiate that paralyzes the masses. We want to constantly "equip/perfect/make ready" God's people for the works of service. Thus, the question is, are you an Opiate or a Stimulant???
Labels: Civil Rights, Opiates, Prosperity Preaching, Slavery
