Frederick Douglass Religion

Words: 1102
Pages: 5
Open Document
Christianity of the Land vs Christianity of Christ
The existence of various interpretations of the Bible has led to the confusion amongst different religions as it relates to what one believes to be true when reading scriptures as opposed to seeking what scriptures were intended to mean. This is not only a concern today, but was also a major disturbance during the practice of slavery, many years ago. According to Frederick Douglass, the slave owners from the South justified their inhumane acts by believing that slavery and harsh punishment was accepted by God; this was a result of what they interpreted scripture to mean, rather than understanding the message the Bible intended to convey. In his Narrative of the Life, Douglass critiques the …show more content…
According to PBS, most slaves had not been converted to Christianity, until widespread evangelism occurred emphasizing individual freedom and direct communication with God, which then brought lots of enslaved men and women to convert to Christianity (PBS SOURCE). Slaves were not allowed to pray or hold sabbath school, Douglass was fortunate that he knew how to read which helped shape his character and Christian life. Douglass declares his devotion to Christianity and validates his reasoning for being against the religion practiced in the South that defended slavery. Although, slavery helped shape his view on Christianity, it also helped increase his faith in God. There were times in his life when he poured out his soul and complaints to God. Douglass believed in God despite his sufferings, in one passage he expressed “you are loosed from your moorings, and are free; I am fast in my chains, and am a slave’’ (BOOK SOURCE FOR DOUGLASS). During Douglass’ darkest hours of slavery, he expressed how he was living a miserable life while others were free as a way to help readers relate to his heartache the hardships he faced. Douglass later ends the passage with “O God, save me! God, deliver me! Let me be free! Is there any God? Why am I a slave? (SOURCE BOOK OF DOUGLASS). Most may conclude that Douglass was a fighter who experienced a deep conviction that slavery would not destroy him or his faith in God, his saving grace that would set him
Show More

Related Documents: Frederick Douglass Religion

Frederick Douglass And Thomas Auld Religion

Douglass describes Thomas Auld’s transformation after his religious conversion. Thomas Auld connected to this religion but used it the wrong way; he quoted verses from the Bible while whipping his slaves. He uses this religion to justify his cruel actions towards his slaves. Auld’s cruelty increases after his religious conversion. Douglass shows a true and false Christianity by comparing Auld with some of his religious friends that are pure and show real actions of being pious. He doesn’t want to…

Words 278 - Pages 2

Frederick Douglass Vs Captain Canot Analysis

The first difference between their viewpoints was that Frederick Douglass was a slave. Quite the contrary, Captain Canot was a slaveowner. Therefore, Douglass was against slavery, while Captain Canot was for it. One quote from Canot’s autobiography stated, “As I am now fairly embarked in a trade which absorbed so many of my most vigorous years, I suppose the reader will not be loth to learn a little of my experience in the alleged ‘cruelties’ of this commerce.” This shows that Canot didn’t think…

Words 336 - Pages 2

Essay about United States Constitution

of Frederick Douglass” written by Frederick Douglass provides certain aspects that appear to be unconstitutional. This essay will critique the events in Douglass’s narrative and Stockett’s novel that demonstrate what profound constitutional violations that exist in each. To begin with, the first amendment in the U.S constitution states, “Grants freedom of religion, speech, press, petition, and assembly”, which was violated numerous times throughout “The Help”. “Grants freedom of religion, speech…

Words 795 - Pages 4

Essay Just Reading

Literature 2130 19 October 2012 Frederick Douglass Frederick Douglass was one of many gifted African Americans. He was born a slave, a spiritually guided man and speaker. He was born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey in Talbot County, Maryland. His mother was a slave and his father was rumored to be their white slave master. Slaves were not allowed to learn how to read or write but, with the motivation and encouragement by of his master’s wife, Frederick learned to read. While he was…

Words 451 - Pages 2

Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass Rhetorical Analysis

Today, people think of slavery as a tragic time in American history, not giving much thought about how severe and brutal it was to African Americans. In the book, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, a man named Frederick Douglass brings the harsh truth to light. He uses rhetorical strategies and vivid personal experiences to express his own thoughts of slavery and how it impacted his life. The book starts by recalling early childhood memories. Even as a child, slavery impacted him in such…

Words 1074 - Pages 5

The Role Of Religion In Uncle Tom's Cabin

Religious Play In Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass In Uncle Tom's Cabin and Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass,An American Slave both share similarities and differences between a slave-holding religion. In Uncle Tom’s Cabin religion plays a role of freedom, as in Narrative of the Life Of Frederick Douglass religion was used as an excuse on how violence was allowed in slavery. Douglas seems to to have a greater connection with God when he is staying with…

Words 875 - Pages 4

Frederick Douglass: An American Slave

never fathom. Stripped of their rights, values, and sense of identity, African American slaves often experienced unthinkable acts of abuse, neglect, and mistreatment. Frederick Douglass speaks about such horrors of his own personal experience as a slave in antebellum America throughout his work Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. During both the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, many often believed that the majority of slaves lived their life on plantations. However…

Words 1205 - Pages 5

Frederick Douglass And Life Of A Slave Girl

Rylee Akers HIS 201 11/12/2014 Life of Frederick Douglass and Life of a Slave Girl Society knows enough about slavery to leave a bitter taste in their mouth after learning just the basic lifestyle of their ancestors. The contribution of Frederick Douglass’ Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs’ Life of a Slave Girl both provide a comprehensive personal view of slavery from the inside. Both memoirs correspond in the sense of being raised in slavery but also contrast with…

Words 587 - Pages 3

Fred Douglas Paper

Daniel O’Donnell HIS 215 4-18-15 The Narrative if the Life of Frederick Douglass In the Narrative if the Life of Frederick Douglas, Frederick Douglass argues that slavery is wrong and uses his experiences to justify this accusation against an institution that is vital to the southern way of life and economy. He uses vivid depiction of many experiences during his time as a slave to bring even the coldest of hearts a feeling of sadness. He depicts the cold he must endure without proper clothes and…

Words 722 - Pages 3

Narrative of Frederick Douglas Essay

The Narrative of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave, by Frederick Douglass Like many slaves, it is unsure about Frederick Douglass’s exact birthdate. “By far the larger part of the slaves know as little of their ages as horses know of theirs, and it is the wish of most masters within my knowledge to keep their slaves thus ignorant. I do not remember to have ever met a slave who could tell of his birthday (Douglass, 1).” This was one of the ways that the slave owners mentally suppressed their…

Words 1299 - Pages 6