Ain't Gonna Lay My 'Ligion Down: African American Religion in the South

by Alonzo Johnson, Paul Jersild

Overview

Illumines a unique fusion of African and Western European religious traditions

"Ain't Gonna Lay My 'Ligion Down" reveals the ways that African Americans have "put flesh on their Christian beliefs," adapting the faith of their European American masters and creating distinctive forms of religious expression. Contributors to the volume examine specific examples of African American religious practice and church leadership to show the remarkable degree to which newly imported slaves preserved their African spiritual heritage while simultaneously meshing it with Western symbols and theological claims.

The first essay in the volume explains the historical implications and continuing significance of two distinctive, often misunderstood components of African American folk religion: the pray's house spirit and the distinctive conversion ritual known as seekin' the Lord. Other essays consider the morality of African American folktales, specifically the Brer Rabbit tales; the symbolic and literary connections between African traditional religions and the religious experiences of African American women as found in the "motherwit" tradition; and the central place "rhythm" holds in African American life as a thread of continuity connecting life in Africa with life in the diaspora. Two final essays explore African American folk religion by examining the contributions of prominent nineteenth- and twentieth-century church leaders.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781570031090
Publisher:	University of South Carolina Press
Publication date:	12/01/1996
Series:	Northwestern Series in Transnational
Pages:	141
Product dimensions:	6.25(w) x 9.50(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Alonzo Johnson is a systematic theologian who holds a Ph.D. from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He is assistant professor of religious studies at the University of South Carolina and an ordained minister in the Church of God in Christ.

What People are Saying About This

Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion

It represents the fruit of a creative and well-conceived collaborative effort that makes a significant scholarly contribution. It is also an excellent model for those who wish to do similar research in the coming millennium.

Editorial Reviews

Twelve essays dissecting the historical implications and continuing social significance of African American religious expression, customs, and practices. The contributors detail how African Americans adapted their European American slave masters' faith, incorporating African traditions such as dancing, trances, and tales, and the practices of conversion rituals and "motherwit" as they connect to life in Africa and with life in the diaspora. The final contributions profile prominent 19th and 20th century church leaders. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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