Afro-Christian self-consciousness and Afro-Christian identity in Africa and the United States
Keywords:
Afro-Christian self-consciousness, Afro-Christian identity, religious syncretism, Christian mythology, independent Afro-Christian churches, religious movements, the Bible, Prophets, popular theology, black theology, liberation theology, Black Christ, Afro-Americans, chosen by God, social evangelism, non-violent resistanceAbstract
The formation and development of AfroChristian mythological consciousness and AfroChristian identity in two African regions - South Africa and the Congo Basin and in one of the African diasporas in the United States are explored. We consider the formation of AfroChristian identity and AfroChristian religious organizations and movements. In these subSaharan Africa regions, independent AfroChristian church es were formed and “popular” theology arose. The bearers of this “popular theology” were religious leaders, prophets, apostles, “Messiahs.” As for the US, we consider the formation of the AfroChristian identity first of black slaves, and then of liberated, but disenfranchised, discriminated blacks. AfroChristian selfconsciousness is seen in the form of “black theology” and of one of its aspects - the “liberation theology”. We also draw attention to the creation and role of independent AfroChristian church es, as well as the active interaction of the two regions - Africa and black America.
