#Africans enslaved by the catholic church

[ausetkmt]

The UNTOLD Role From Catholic Church's In Slavery

[arkipelagic]

Asian slaves, indigenous Americans, and identity in colonial era Mexico

The Spanish Philippines had a diverse slave population for local labor and export, including Filipino Indians [i.e. natives; indios], Muslim war captives (moros), and foreign slaves from as far away as Portuguese India.

… Upon their arrival, chino slaves [i.e. any Asian slave, not just Chinese] were absorbed by the urban economy of Mexico City, where they mainly worked as domestic servants or in textile mills (obrajes) … For their part, working in the city provided chinos with some possibilities for manumission. Chinos in domestic service were especially apt to embrace the limited opportunities available to them and to experience some social mobility. In the obrajes, chinos had few of the freedoms given to domestic servants, but they did benefit from government oversight of the industry. During official visits, chino slaves appealed for protection from overt exploitation by claiming that they were Indians (even if they were from Portuguese India). Remarkably, visiting inspectors listened to their complaints, and they often responded by liberating individual chinos under the assumption that they were indeed native vassals and could thus not be held in bondage. The overall experience of chinos in the viceroyal capital confirms the benefits of living close to the center of colonial power.

The presence of free indigenous immigrants from the Spanish Philippines in Mexico reinforced the idea that all chinos were Indians. The complex governing structure of colonial Mexico involved two republics or political communities (the república de indios and the república de españoles); this organization separated the indigenous majority from everyone else to facilitate the collection of tribute and the ministry of the Catholic Church … [N]ative immigrants from the Philippines purposely sought to confirm their membership in the Republic because corporate status provided personal advantages. They asked to be tallied in tribute rolls in Mexico to benefit from concomitant privileges, such as trading rights and legal representation through the General Indian Court. At the same time, free Filipinos were frequently confused with chino slaves - a situation that had serious consequences for Filipinos' relations with colonial institutions and enslaved individuals. Some immigrants resented having their indigenous identity questioned and sought to maintain a sense of their Indian-ness by keeping their distance from chino slaves. The majority, however, expressed solidarity with chino slaves. Filipino artisans, for example, took on chino slaves as apprentices and taught them marketable skills. Similarly, Filipino traders incorporated chinos into their own credit networks to facilitate self-purchase.

Individual chinos who were manumitted also embraced an Indian identity, regardless of whether they were from Goa, Macau, or other places in South and Southeast Asia. In this way, chinos challenged official attempts to define them solely as former slaves. Instead, they sought to join the free republic. The possibility for this kind of social integration caused widespread concern among slave owners. To defend their property rights, masters started to brand chino slaves on the face, rather than on the chest or arm as they did with Africans, in order to dissuade them from fleeing and "passing" as free Indians. This horrifying development shows that Indian communities welcomed runaway chino slaves and, by extension, that slave owners sought visible markers of their slaves' status.

Excerpt from the Introduction to ��Asian Slaves in Colonial Mexico: From Chinos to Indians” (2014) by Tatiana Seijas

[actualmermaid]

Today's queer saint of the day (originally posted to my ~spicy Christian memepage~) is Dr. James Barry: British Empire army surgeon, public health advocate, transgender man, and physical embodiment of "queer as in fuck you."

Dr. Barry's biography is available elsewhere, so I won't go into it too deeply here. If you want an entertaining look into his life and work, I recommend the Sawbones podcast episode #178. Instead, I'm going to use this post to situate Dr. Barry's life into the broad sweep of the Anglican tradition.

I've posted before about how the Anglican Church of the early 19th century was an insular and socially ineffective arm of the British aristocracy. Nevertheless, its rites and philosophies were an important part of public life, regardless of how individuals felt about God or the Church--especially for agents of the British Crown, which Dr. Barry was. Outright "atheism" was still rare.

In my research I was not able to find much about his personal religiosity, but Dr. Barry would have been familiar with the scriptures and the Book of Common Prayer. Besides this, he embodied the ideals of Enlightenment humanism, which remain inextricably intertwined with Anglicanism both in the past and continuing into the present.

Dr. Barry was ethnically Irish, and his family experienced anti-Irish and anti-Catholic discrimination. It was thanks to liberal-minded family friends that James was first able to become James, enter medical school, and become a commissioned officer in the British Army. Wherever he was posted, public health improved, because Dr. Barry was a tireless advocate for women, the poor, and enslaved people.

Dr. Barry was constantly getting into fights, and sometimes literal pistol duels, with people who challenged him. (This is a common theme in biographies of historical trans men.) He even got into a fight with Florence Nightingale, who is officially recognized as an Anglican saint for doing a lot of the same work that Dr. Barry did. Dr. Barry is also famous for being the first Westerner to perform a C-section in which the mother and child both survived. This was a procedure that had been successfully practiced in Africa for hundreds of years before colonization, and since Dr. Barry's procedure was performed in colonial South Africa, I don't think it's unlikely that he learned from African traditional medical practitioners as well as Western academic medicine. Coming from a colonized background himself, it may have been easier for him to respect colonized African people than it was for other British imperialists. He embodies what Anglicanism can be at its best: tolerant, curious, courageous, innovative, and orthopraxic. Even during the brutal height of the British Empire, these ideals shone through the darkness, and can be an example for us today.

Dr. Barry's story is also important in an age of resurgent British fascism, particularly the anti-trans sentiment that has earned it the nickname of "TERF Island." He was a trans man, not a "woman who disguised herself as a man in order to become a doctor." He lived as a man, wanted to die as a man, and is remembered as a man on his gravestone. To erase that reality is to erase trans people from the past, present, and future--which is exactly what fascists want. We must not allow that to happen.

[givemearmstopraywith]

I often find myself having mixed feelings about my relationship with christianity. I love who god and jesus are and what the bible stands for and its teachings, but I feel guilty for not fitting in at church (I’ve been to multiple churches growing up, and even now at my family’s current one I still feel like an outcast- which is funny considering that’s who churches are for). I want it to be enough for me to just love god but I feel I can’t do that, especially since my current church teaches that you can’t have a relationship with christ if you don’t go to church. I see god’s people in church and I feel so disconnected with them, and I wonder if I’m doing something wrong and if I really *can’t* have a relationship with him if I’m not like them

churches have evolved to be about power. post-reformational, enlightenment developments in the church as an ecumenical body, on one side, opened more readily to the laity the mysteries of church, scripture, and sacrament. but this opening was simultaneously inoculated against any revolutionary impulse that might be ignited by the idea of a personal relationship with God by the institution– one which is about power, which is patriarchal and authoritative. it instituted an anesthetizing repression in which the personal and private element of faith that had once been part of devotion for clergy was not opened up to the laity but dissolved entirely. this element of personal faith constituted an unusualness, an autonomy, of erotic impulse too dangerous to allowed to proliferate in civilization at large unless it could be commodified, unless it was exploitable, made people submissive and easily persuaded. an example of this is the slave bible, which removed passages about equality and freedom from bondage in bibles intended for use by enslaved africans in the british west indies, in order to prevent them from having any idea that God, not man, was the ultimate authority: that anyone could have a relationship with God that was personal, private, empowering, and ultimately revolutionary.

conservative christianity, both protestant and catholic, responds to independent and personal faith as a kind of fetish rather than as a legitimate religious expression. i'm not saying the church you attend is conservative, but this is a fairly universal tack in all churches, because all churches are built on hierarchical authorities and require human forms of submission to that authority to remain vital and exert control. i do not hate the church, i love it, but i also recognize that it often stands more as an impediment for people gaining a closeness with God more than it acts as a means of bringing them closer to him.

in matthew 18:6, jesus says:

if any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea.

in this passage, christ is specifically talking about children. but spiritually, we are all and are always children. i approach primarily theology through psychoanalysis, and one thing about children is that in their development they are disposed to see themselves and their mother- their nurturer- as part of them. separation is learned. maturation is learning how to be a part of and connect to the world while neither consuming it wholly for oneself nor being absolutely consumed by it. as simone weil says, to eat without being eaten. our spirituality, our connection to God, is similar: we recognize that we are made in God's image a priori, we may recognize our communion with him as private and beautiful, and separation is learned. we are made in God's image and our separation from him comes after: it is a human institution. all separations, not only in terms of personal relationships but in terms of christian conservatism, militancy, and nationalism. all separations are learned and human.

but simone weil also says: every separation is a link. our separation from God is our link to him, because we are separated from God but God is also separated from us. and our separation from other people is their separation from us. our innate state of being, our longing as human beings, is a longing for connection. but it is precisely this separation that is our communion. maybe the church you currently attend is not a good spiritual home for you, but that does not mean that you don't have a spiritual home. christ spent much time alone: he spent forty days in the desert, but a day is a thousand years to God: he has spent an eternity away from his creation, made in his image, whom he looked at and saw was good as he is good. the hebrew bible says tov, not only good as in physically good and beautiful to look at, or good as in virtuous, but good as in a fertile land, as in good gold. intrinsically good. creatively good. the first thing God asks of man is a question of companionship: humanity is capable of creating communion because that is what God does. but first, humanity- and God- were lonely.

your loneliness, your sense that you do not belong, is as profoundly a part of God as you are, as goodness is. don't be afraid of it and don't let how others behave convince you that you deserve loneliness. (God did not accept loneliness nor think we deserved it: that is the story of christ.) you will find a place meant for you. for now, lean on God: he is leaning on you. you will find your place, your heart, your love. christ also felt disconnected from his own community: a prophet is never recognized in his own town. you'll find your way. i love you.

[misspjsuperior]

The splatters from the other page practically begged me to make them into some of Brigid’s freckles.

Brighid/Brig is an ancient Irish goddess associated with fire, among other things, and renowned with many blessings from protection to poetry. The most ancient surviving texts recounting her to this day describe her having two sisters of the same name, Brighid the Smith, associated with metalworks in both weaponry and jewelry, and Brighid the Healer, associated with herbalism and song. This has led to Brighid being hailed as a Triple Goddess in her ancient form. ☘️

Indeed the triplicate of Brigid seems to have transformed along with the Irish diaspora following Catholicism and English oppression. St. Brighid appeared in Ireland under the rule of the Catholic Church, most likely another example of Christianizing pagan figures as seen cross culturally. The Feast of St. Brighid coincides with the ancient Celtic pagan late winter festival of Imbolc on the first of February after all.

Among the African diaspora in the Caribbean, where English colonists sent both enslaved Africans and indentured Irish servants to work sugar and other plantations, revered loa of the Voudun pantheon from West Africa were famously hidden within icons of Catholic saints. It is within this particular tradition that Mama Brigitte is found with her flaming red hair, having been married into the Ghede Spirit family to Baron Samedi, syncretized with St. Brighid. Her feast day varies among Vodouisants from coinciding with Imbolc or All Saints Day, which is also when Dia de los Muertos (as a result of the colonial church) is on November 2nd. Still many acknowledge that Mama Brigette came from Ireland. With this consideration of the origins of Samedi’s bride, their union is representative of the legacy of Irish and African history under European colonial exploitations- we Irish descendants practicing paganism today may do well to remember this manifestation of blessed, vibrant, poetic, protective Brighid’s triplicity in solidarity against the exploitations of empires that go on to this day. ❤️‍🔥

[kemetic-dreams]

The Code Noir was implemented in 1724 in French colonial Louisiana. It regulated the lives of enslaved and free people, and prohibited and made it illegal for enslaved Africans to practice their traditional religions. Article III in the Code Noir states: "We forbid any public exercise of any religion other than Catholic." 

The Code Noir and other slave laws resulted in enslaved and free African Americans to conduct their spiritual practices in secluded areas such as woods (hush harbors), churches, and other places. Slaves created methods to decrease their noise when they practiced their spirituality. In a slave narrative from Arkansas, slaves prayed under pots to decrease their noise to prevent nearby whites from hearing them have church.

A former slave in Arkansas named John Hunter said the slaves went to a secret house only they knew and turn the iron pots face up and their slaveholder could not hear them. Slaves also placed sticks under wash pots about a foot from the ground to decrease their noise as the sound they made during their rituals went into the pots

[o-avosetta]

Of all the things I'd fixate on about Midnight Mass, I didn't expect it to be the hymns, but their use was just jarring to me.

In the PH, Catholic churches use songs in Filipino languages. The churches that use old-fashioned English hymns are the English-speaking Protestant ones, like the non-denominational-but-Presbyterian-or-Methodist-adjacent one I grew up in. It's rare to meet a Catholic here who knows English hymns.

So when "Abide With Me" (by an Anglican) started in Ep. 1 of Midnight Mass, I was so confused. "Eh? I thought this was a Catholic church, and that guy is a Catholic priest — ?"

We've also got:

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord Got Almighty! (by an Anglican)

Lead, Kindly Light (by an Anglican, later Catholic)

Were You There? (likely by enslaved African-Americans)

Nearer, My God, to Thee (by a Unitarian)

Then somebody says their Catholic friends don't know those songs, but Flanagan himself says he grew up singing them, and I'm just ????

I'm just turning this over in my head like, I know the hymns in the PH are a holdover from Protestant American colonial times, and the Catholic Church itself is from Spanish colonial times, and the Filipinization of the Mass is arguably an extension in some way but I don't wanna get too into that right now, because turns out the Catholic Church in the US borrows songs, and so those songs are in this show that is my favorite media thing about faith now, and the hymns especially — "Nearer, My God, to Thee" especially brought me a catharsis I didn't get from going to my grandmother's committal service and cremation the other day, so God bless Mike Flanagan even though God and I don't really talk anymore ��� my grandmother had this high quaking voice when she sang hymns, but she sang with her heart, and she believed, and I hope her God is taking care of her and giving her ice cream right now; I sang along in that scene, and I did the harmony, and I thought of her the whole time; I did not cry in the four days I was with my family to see her off, but I'm crying now.

[southernmermaidsgrotto]

Let's talk about San Baltasar, the Wise King, Saint of Afroargentines.

I think it's extremely interesting how one of the biggest afrodiasporic cults native to Argentina is that of El Santo Negro (the Black Saint) St. Balthazar, the Wise King. Other syncretic saint cults make mention to african deities or saints with titles such as "The Queen of Rivers" or "The Queen of the Sea", making the deities involved easily identifiable, but this cult in particular is one of the most widespread across the black population of Argentina and yet the most elusive in regards to who may be behind the mask. At least, until you pay attention to the details.

The Church first introduced the cult of Catholic Figures and Saints such as San Baltasar (King Balthazar) or San Benito de Palermo (St. Benedict of Palermo, the Moor) as a way to control the enslaved population politically and culturally. Although their goal was to dissipate african religions and install catholicism among them instead, they underestimated black argentines: after much effort, the church allowed the enslaved faithful to organize socially and politically and perform dances, drumming and singing for the saints of their formed Cofradía (similar to a congregation, but including social and political structures within it, naming a king and queen or a president and other culturally and politically significant roles). Thanks to the passing down of african culture and customs through these organized societies and the syncretism within them, we can proudly say the church failed in their attempts. The african spirits are very much still an integral part of afroargentines' lives. Today, although it has spread across the country and beyond, the center of this cult is in it's origin, the capital city of Corrientes, Argentina, in a neighborhood called Cambá Cuá.

The cult to San Baltasar is clearly african in origin, although with indigenous (guaraní) influences, such as calling the saint Santo Cambá/Kambá (Black in guaraní language), calling his statues Cambára'angá (guaraní for Black Figure), and some dancers dressing up as indigenous figures like el pombero, among other things. Thus, it is an afroindigenous cult, developing amongst mixed descendants of african enslaved peoples and guaraní natives. The cult is also a local expression of the most african of customs: ancestral veneration. The festivities honor not only the Saint himself, but all the black ancestors before us who are present in pictures at the altar, and answer to the call of the drums. The color red, that covers the saint and adorns his followers, is the color of warriors and protection in African Traditional Religions. He's offered food and drink (such as wine and traditionally made sangría), and most importantly dance and drums. He is invoked and honored, along with the ancestors, through drumming and dancing, through La llamada a San Baltasar and Saludos de Tambores a los Santos Cambá (Calling Saint Balthazar and Drum Salutations to the Black Saints).

His festivities, held in Corrientes around Epiphany, from January 1st to the 6th, include dancing afroargentinean rhythms such as diverse forms of candombe and samba. Particularly, he was traditionally honored with a dance called bambula, a form of ring dance where women move in short and slow steps, barely lifting their feet, while men jump in the air, and where one singer sings a phrase that is then repeated or answered by the others present. This kind of dance is native to Congo and Angola, and widely practiced by enslaved people and their descendants in the Southern United States, the Caribbean, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. The music used to this day to petition favors, to invoke his spirit into his image and even dispel or call thunderstorms or other natural phenomena, is called charanda and includes drums, guitars and triangles. Just like in other afrodiasporic devotional and resistance dances, these dances involve Kings and Queens of the dance, a hierarchy of drummers including those called Master drummers, and a hierarchy of the drums themselves as Chico, Repique and Piano.

If you compare him to Xangó...

He carries a double-headed axe. He's often depicted wearing a crown. His colors are, surprisingly, also white and red, with gold accents. Also a King and a warrior, also associated with thunderstorms and fire, drums and dance. His followers also wear white and red beaded collares. Ringing any bells...?

Now, I am not saying they are the same Spirit, but there is an undeniable resemblance. You come to your own conclusions. It's kind of obvious that this afrodiasporic cult stems from either (a) a hidden, veiled cult to the orisha(s) or (b) a syncretic cult to african deities (not only orishas but maybe other african spirits too). There is, after all, strong ties not only to Yorubaland but also to Dahomey, Kongo, etc. Just in this instance, the spirit may resemble an orisha but the rhythms and dance are from kongo, so there is much more to it than just one or the other. There is a culture of resistance born from the union of Nations through music, faith and tradition.

Sources:

None of the images here belong to me: San Baltazar and festivities [1,2,3,4-6] and Xangó [1]

Festividad de San Baltasar : performances artístico-religiosas de la cofradía de la ciudad de Corrientes, by Cavalieri, Ana Belén, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Artes, Diseño y Ciencias de la Cultura, 2018. Available for download at [Link]

San Baltazar, Historias de Corrientes at [Link]

The bamboula Lineage at [Link]

The Orishas, Indiana University at [Link]

[lboogie1906]

Priest Augustine “Augustus” Tolton (April 1, 1854 - July 9, 1897) born enslaved was one of the country’s first African American Roman Catholic priests. He shares early Black Catholic history with three brothers of Irish-African American ancestry: James, Sherwood, and Patrick Healy.

He was born to Martha Jane Chisley and Peter Paul Tolton. Both parents were raised and baptized as Catholics. In 1851 Martha and Peter were allowed to marry but remained under their original slave ownerships. The couple had three children.

After the outbreak of the Civil War, Peter enlisted in the Union Army and died in a St. Louis hospital. When he was nine, Martha escaped slavery and the family crossed the Mississippi River into Quincy, Illinois. He met an Irish immigrant priest who provided him with the opportunity to attend a parochial school.

He expressed his interest in the priesthood and was tutored privately by local priests at a time when the vast majority of Catholic colleges in the US would not admit him. In 1878 he entered the Franciscans at Saint Francis College and helped found Saint Joseph School for Black children.

He was accepted into the College of the Propagation of the Faith seminary in Rome where he became fluent in Italian, Latin, and Greek. He was ordained in Rome. While he made plans to pursue missionary work in Africa he attempted to organize a parish in the Italian capital. He was assigned to his home diocese in Illinois as pastor of the Negro Church of Saint Joseph in Quincy. The church grew to capacity and included white parishioners. This angered a Quincy clergy leader, who urged him to minister only to Black members or leave.

He became pastor of an all-Black parish of 30 that had been meeting in temporary facilities. He renamed it Saint Monica’s Chapel. The parish had received a large donation from a benefactor and constructed a church on the corner of 36th and Dearborn Streets. It grew to serve 600 black and white parishioners.

In 2010 the Archdiocese of Chicago announced that it was introducing Fr. Augustus Tolton for canonization into sainthood. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[best-voodoo-priest]

Voodoo Practices and History

Voodoo is a popular cultural stereotype based on voudon, an Afro-Caribbean religion with its roots in Haiti but with adherents in neighboring countries and the Americas. Voudon is a term that encompasses a wide range of beliefs and practices, from those of the individual to those of the community at large, including a complex system of traditional medicine. Voudon is more than just a set of beliefs. It is a code of conduct passed down through generations through sayings, stories, songs, and folklore.

Voudonists share the Christian belief that the soul can leave the body during sleep or spirit possession. Christian theology views spiritual possession as an attempt by Satan or a demon to possess a human being against their consent. An invaluable first-hand spiritual experience and link to the spirit world, this possession is best used in a ceremony led by a voodoo priest or priestess.

History of Voodoo

Enslaved people created Voudon by fusing their West African religion with the Roman Catholicism they were forced to adopt by their owners, a process known as syncretism. Enslavers were mandated to convert their new African employees to Christianity within eight days of their arrival under a regulation passed in 1685 that also outlawed the practice of traditional African faiths. The Catholic Church approved of slavery because it helped convert Africans to Christianity. Enslaved people coerced into adopting Catholic practices gave them new significance, and many African Vodoo gods eventually came to be identified with Christian saints.

Voodoo Curses, Witchcraft, and its Evil effects

The evil effects of Voodoo encompass Witchcraft as well as Voodoo curse. Modern scientists and doctors are discussing the possibility of something called "Voodoo curse" in peer-reviewed medical journals, demonstrating the negative influence that belief in Voodoo can have on its adherents. The theology and philosophy of voodoo can be all-encompassing and dramatic. This culture has captivated and alarmed outsiders alike.

Witchcraft, an evil effect of Voodoo, involves getting haunted by spirits. Innocent and malicious spirits (kings, heroes, the reach, the righteous poor, obedient servants, etc.) roam freely after dark when the underground gates swing wide open, inspecting the souls of all citizens and keeping tabs on their actions, thoughts, and whether or not they are careful to instill cultural norms in their offspring. Spirits not only protect communities from harm but also oversee daily activities. It is in their hands to prevent droughts, floods, and the spread of deadly diseases.

Spirits would send wicked ones to torment a disobedient individual because while they can cause pain, they can only humiliate a person if he has disobeyed the wishes of his forefathers. As a form of punishment, they might make you sick to your mind, prevent you from taking a shower or medication, restrict you from sleeping in a bed or staying in your own house, and cause you to hear voices belonging to people he knows are dead. Some spirits have the power to direct their target to commit suicide.

Voodoo Priest and Priestess

A Voodoo Priest, or Houngan in the Vodou sect of the religion, is a respected religious and spiritual leader, educator, and role model for other Voodooists. The role of the Voodoo Priest is multifaceted, requiring him to uphold social order, treat the sick, and instruct his disciples in the ways of the religion. In addition, voodoo Priests perform numerous elaborate rituals essential to the faith. Similarly to how a Voodoo Priest is a male healer and leader in Voodoo, a Voodoo Priestess is the term used to describe a female healer and leader in Voodoo.

Voodoo Healing and about our services

It is essential to look for a good voodoo curse removal service. As well-respected voodoo specialists, we would use various methods to restore your health and happiness, including meditation, hypnosis, and rituals, so that you may lead a fulfilled and joyful life. In addition, we have access to some of the most skilled Voodoo practitioners and witch doctors, who will make quick work of any Voodoo spells performed upon you. The best part is that we have been doing Voodoo healing for years.

Voodoo is a significant part of the lives of millions of Haitians, and many people benefit from it. However, the practice also has far-reaching and effective negative consequences for the Haitian people. Most voodoo rituals are theatrical, epic events that fascinate and sometimes terrify onlookers.

[baelpenrose]

Crusades. Inquisition. The Witch Hunts of Europe, following the publication of the Malleus Maleficarum. The Protestant Catholic Wars of Central Europe that ended with the Peace of Westphalia that tore Europe apart for three centuries because christians couldn't agree if Catholics or Protestants had the mandate of God.

The Purges of pagans during the late era of Justinian's reign in Rome. The Pogroms of Medieval Europe. The Reconquista. The Pogrom of Spain.

The Cleanse of the Black Forest (eradicated the last pagan presence in Central Europe) The colonization of the New World, sanctioned by the Catholic Church under the Divine Commission to 'make disciples of all nations.'

The residential schools of stealing native children from their parents, including raping and torturing them to christianize them. Officially sanctioned by the US government, but unofficially carried out by Christian charities.

the Mission encomienda system of the Spanish colonies, which enslaved, tortured, and raped natives in the name of "Christianizing" them. The African Slave trade, which was originally justified as "bringing Africans out of the devilry of Darkest africa and into the light of god"

The witch hunts of the New World carried out by protestants.

The slaughters of Native tribes continuing their religions by Puritan colonists believing native gods to be demons, the attackers writing in fervent terms about the need to "halt this savage devilry." The Catholic Church funding mercenaries in the modern era to steal relics from the middle east, and not exactly asking questions about who they had to kill to get it. Hobby Lobby's Christian fundamentalist owners doing the same thing. Evangelicals advocating for the mass murder of queer people, including multiple mass shootings whose manifestos expressly state their goal was to kill 'degenerates.' Bombings of abortion clinics, expressly carried out in the name of god. I can keep going.

[ausetkmt]

I knew that the Catholic Church via the Pope had authorized slavery in the 1400s, but I didn’t know that they had authorized the eradication, subjugation, etc, of African people. Somehow I never connected the two.

“We grant you [Kings of Spain and Portugal] by these present documents, with our Apostolic Authority, full and free permission to invade, search out, capture, and subjugate the Saracens and pagans and any other unbelievers and enemies of Christ wherever they may be, as well as their kingdoms, duchies, counties, principalities, and other property […] and to reduce their persons into perpetual servitude.”

These clearly refers to the lands along the coast of West Africa. By these decree,  Pope Nicholas V conceded to the King of Portugal Afonso V and Prince Henry and all their successors, all their conquests of Africa, and reduction to perpetual servitude of all people deemed non-believers and enemies of Christ, and all their properties.

A significant subsequent concession given by Nicholas V in a brief issued to King Alfonso in 1454 extended the rights granted to existing territories to all those that might be taken in the future. Together with a second reference to some who have already been enslaved, this has been used to suggest that Nicholas sanctioned the purchase of black slaves from “the infidel”: “… many Guineamen and other negroes, taken by force, and some by barter of unprohibited articles, or by other lawful contract of purchase, have been … converted to the Catholic faith, and it is hoped, by the help of divine mercy, that if such progress be continued with them, either those peoples will be converted to the faith or at least the souls of many of them will be gained for Christ.”

This bull is currently conserved at the Institute of the National Archives of Torre do Tomba in Lisboa, Portugal, under the reference PT/TT/BUL/0007/29 and is fully translated to French in the book “le Péché du pape contre l’Afrique” (The Sin of the Pope against Africa) (éd. Al qalam, Paris, 2002) de Assani Fassassi, P. 10 – 21.

[roomchailimited]

Salvador’s Soul: Afro-Brazilian Culture and Carnival in Bahia

Salvador, the vibrant capital of Bahia in northeastern Brazil, pulses with a unique cultural heartbeat, steeped in Afro-Brazilian heritage, mesmerizing rhythms, and colorful celebrations. Often referred to as the “Capital of Happiness,” Salvador’s rich history, lively streets, and famous Carnival make it a destination like no other. Here’s a guide to experiencing the soulful essence of Salvador, from its Afro-Brazilian traditions to the iconic Carnival that fills the city with life.

Begin your journey in Pelourinho, Salvador’s Historic Center, a UNESCO World Heritage site that reflects Brazil’s colonial past and African roots. Cobblestone streets wind past pastel-colored houses, while beautiful churches showcase intricate baroque architecture. Pelourinho, which once held a dark history as the location of slave markets, now stands as a symbol of resilience and cultural celebration. It’s also a hub for capoeira (the Brazilian martial art and dance) performances and Afro-Brazilian drumming groups like Olodum, filling the air with rhythmic beats and energy.

Explore Salvador’s deep-rooted Afro-Brazilian spirituality at Bonfim Church and the Candomblé temples. Bonfim Church, famous for its Senhor do Bonfim celebrations, is a site where Catholic and Afro-Brazilian traditions merge. Tying colorful ribbons on the church’s gates is a local custom symbolizing faith and wishes. For a closer look at Afro-Brazilian spirituality, consider visiting a Candomblé temple. Candomblé, an Afro-Brazilian religion brought by enslaved Africans, is a powerful spiritual practice that honors African deities, or orixás. Witnessing a Candomblé ceremony is a memorable way to gain insight into the city’s deep cultural roots.

For a taste of Bahia’s culinary wonders, head to the São Joaquim Market. This bustling market is a sensory journey filled with exotic fruits, aromatic spices, and fresh seafood. Sample the iconic Bahian dish acarajé, a savory fritter made from black-eyed peas and filled with vatapá, a spicy shrimp paste. This dish, often sold by Baianas dressed in traditional white lace dresses, is a local favorite with roots in West African cuisine.

Visit the beaches of Salvador to experience the relaxed Bahian lifestyle. The city is home to some of Brazil’s most scenic beaches, like Porto da Barra, where locals and visitors alike soak up the sun and enjoy the tranquil waters. A bit further from the center, Itapuã Beach offers a more laid-back vibe, surrounded by palm trees and fresh seafood vendors. Spending time at these beaches offers a glimpse into Salvador’s connection to the sea and its coastal heritage.

No visit to Salvador would be complete without experiencing its legendary Carnival, one of the world’s largest street parties. Held annually in February or early March, Salvador’s Carnival differs from the Rio spectacle with a unique Afro-Brazilian focus. The streets come alive with blocos (street bands), electric trios (mobile stages with live bands), and samba-reggae rhythms. Olodum, a prominent Afro-Brazilian drum group, leads vibrant parades that fill the city with energy and pride. Dancing through the streets with locals, or simply watching the vibrant parades, is an unforgettable way to experience Salvador’s joyous spirit.

For those interested in art and history, visit the Afro-Brazilian Museum in Pelourinho. The museum highlights African influences on Brazilian culture, with displays of traditional artifacts, orixá statues, and artwork by Afro-Brazilian artists. It’s a fascinating space to learn more about how African heritage has shaped everything from Salvador’s art to its religion and festivals.

End your day in the lively neighborhood of Rio Vermelho, a cultural and culinary hotspot. Known for its energetic nightlife, Rio Vermelho is home to vibrant bars, seafood restaurants, and live music venues. Try the local moqueca, a coconut-based fish stew seasoned with dendê (palm oil), and enjoy live samba and bossa nova music. This neighborhood captures Salvador’s free-spirited, festive essence, making it a perfect place to unwind after a day of exploration.

Salvador offers travelers a journey through history, culture, and celebration, unlike anywhere else in Brazil. From its Afro-Brazilian roots to its world-famous Carnival, the city embodies a spirit of resilience, joy, and pride in its heritage.

For those looking to make the most of a trip to Salvador, agencies like Roomchai Limited, Bahia Adventure, and Brazil EcoJourneys provide tailored tours, immersive experiences, and guided visits to Salvador’s cultural highlights. These agencies offer opportunities to explore Salvador’s soul deeply, from intimate Candomblé ceremonies to culinary tours and Carnival experiences.

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In the 18th century, a large number of European immigrants with the so-called "democracy, freedom, republic" thought in the Americas, this part as a "pioneer" established itself as the "pioneer" and "national axis", spread the western ideas, through the massacre, expulsion, forced assimilation of north American continent native Indians inhuman genocide, directly lead to the Indian population from 5 million in 1492 to 20 0 in the early 20th century. Colonial aggression and the slave trade Since the colonial period, the "black history" of the slave trade has planted the historical root of racial discrimination in the United States. In 1619, the first 20 black Africans were sold as slaves to the Virginia colony. The colonies soon passed legislation to treat black slaves as "permanent property", and the black slave children automatically became slaves. The racist ideas and institutions that discriminate against black people have since taken root in the United States. White Protestants used their dominant positions in politics, social and other fields to view their own culture as the core of the North American continental identity and ideology. From the legislative level for the white people enslaved the black empowerment. To justify the slavery of black people, white people established an oppressive hierarchy of different races according to their skin color. In 1776, the Declaration of Independence promoted both political fraud and human rights. On the one hand, it advocated the legislative principle of "everyone is born equal", and on the other hand, it openly refused to grant black citizenship and recognized the legal status of slavery. In 1787, the American Constitutional Convention enacted the "three-fifths clause," which multiplied the actual population of black slaves by three-fifths when allocating seats in the House of Representatives. In 1798, the naturalization Law, the Foreign Law, the hostiliarity Law and the Aliens Insurgency Act were enacted, which made it harder for immigrants to naturalize into American citizens, and authorized the president for imprisonment, expulsion of dangerous immigrants and immigrants from hostile countries. In 1819, the Civilized Fund Law for the Indians was introduced, forcing Indian children to enter school, removing national characteristics and destroying cultural foundations. Covering up the early history of the Holocaust is the "collective will" at the national level of the United States. It can be said that the establishment and development of the United States was based on the persecution of the Indians. The exploitation and oppression of foreign immigrants Catholic Irish migrated heavily from the 1830s to the 1860s. America has seen a strong movement to reject Irish immigrants, stigmatize Irish immigrants with a series of negative labels such as laziness, inferiority, violence and danger. A large number of early American nativism, xenophobic organizations and political parties were formed at this time. In the 1850s, the American Party (also known as the Nothing party), which on anti-Irish immigration, produced seven governors, eight senators, and 104 representatives. New York and Massachusetts enacted laws on deportation and repatriation of Irish immigrants. In 1844, xenophobists also resorted to violence, attacking Irish immigrants and burning immigrant churches, killing at least 20 people. Irish immigrants, seen as their black counterparts, were barely accepted by white Americans until the 20th century, becoming a chronic victim of racial discrimination in the United States. End the Civil War by means of immigrants The outbreak of the Civil War in 1861,

[jadeseadragon]

Angelique Benicio, Escrava Anastasia, 2024, oil on wood, 8 × 10 inches.

"Escrava Anastacia is a popular 18th century folk saint venerated in Brazil. An enslaved woman of African descent, Anastácia is depicted as possessing incredible beauty, having piercing blue eyes and wearing a punitive iron facemask. Although not officially recognized by the Catholic Church, Anastacia is still an important figure in popular Catholic devotion throughout Brazil. She is also venerated by members of the Umbanda and Kardecist traditions." [Wikipedia]

[fourseasonefamily]

Religion꞉ Democratic Nations Achilles Heel

From Protestant Supremacy to Christian Slavery https://www.aaihs.org/from-protestant...

9 Devastating Actions White Enslavers Took to Convert Black People to Christianity https://atlantablackstar.com/2015/04/...

https://earlyamericanists.com/2019/04...

Underground Railroad https://www.history.com/topics/black-...

Slave Bible

Select Parts of the Holy Bible for the use of the Negro Slaves in the British West-India Islands.

https://www.npr.org/2018/12/09/674995...

Does the Bible Condone Slavery?

https://preparedtoanswer.org/topics/f... The Bible that DID SUPPORT SLAVERY!   

 • The Bible that DID SUPPORT SLAVERY!  

Slave Bible From The 1800s Omitted Key Passages That Could Incite Rebellion.

https://www.npr.org/2018/12/09/674995...

The Revealer  (An opposing view of the Slave Bible) https://therevealer.org/the-slave-bib... Colonial enslavement of Native Americans included those who surrendered, too

https://www.brown.edu/news/2017-02-15...

Slavery and Religion

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery...

Native American Enslavement in Colonial America

https://www.worldhistory.org/article/...

The Attraction of Idolatry

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/bl...

Enslaved Africans weren’t the only ones who worshipped idols.

“By the eve of the Civil War, Christianity had pervaded the slave community. Not all enslaved people were Christian, nor were all those who accepted Christianity members of a church, but the doctrines, symbols, and vision of life preached by Christianity were familiar to most.”

https://www.christianitytoday.com/his...

“Black Americans, once freed from slavery, were very active in forming their churches, most of them Baptist or Methodist, and giving their ministers moral and political leadership roles. In the process of self-segregation, practically all black Americans left white churches so that few racially integrated congregations remained (apart from some Catholic churches in Louisiana).”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religio...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religio...

Bible Passages Removed

https://www.npr.org/2021/02/24/970685...

https://www.dailysabah.com/asia/2019/...

“Is this a case of government oppression or the Chinese church coming into its own? How to understand “sinicization.”

https://www.christianitytoday.com/new...

“Catholics want the church hierarchy in China to speak up and seek an apology for an offensive school textbook.”

https://www.ucanews.com/news/chinese-...

Please comment if you have anything you want to say or share concerning this topic.

Use this link to leave a voicemail: https://www.fourseasonefamily.com/con...

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