Answers To The Questions Religion Failed To Answer

A few weeks ago, I posted ten questions that the conscious brother David Banner tweeted to all of his followers. Here are some of the answers:

1. Why does the picture of Jesus on the front of the Bible not match the description of him in Revelation 1:14?

Revelation 1:14 describes Jesus like this:  His head and hair were white as wool or snow, and his eyes looked like flames of fire. That breaks the idyllic image of a blonde hair blue-eyed Jesus that was projected by the Europeans and white America, but also that of brainwashed Negroes everywhere.

2. Why did they hide Jesus in Egypt? What color were the Egyptians of that era?

John 1:11 explains that Jesus came into his own world, but he was rejected by his own nation. The massacre of the innocents after Herod's meeting with the wise men shows the opposition of darkness to the light. Only in Matthew 2:15 is he praised for returning to Israel  as the liberator of his people.

3. What is the council of Nicea?

The Council of Nicea took place in 325 AD by order of Emperor Caesar Flavius Constantine who presided over a group of church bishops and other leaders with the purpose of defining the nature of God for all of Christianity and eliminating confusion, controversy, and contention within the church. It affirmed the deity and and eternality of Jesus Christ and defined the relationship between the Father and the Son as “of one substance.” It also affirmed the Trinity—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were listed as three co-equal and co-eternal Persons.

4. Who is Horus?

Horus was often the ancient Egyptians' national patron god. He was usually depicted as a falcon-headed man wearing the pschent, or a red and white crown, as a symbol of kingship over the entire kingdom of Egypt. Osiris and Isis in some myths, and Nut and Geb in others.

5. If everything of substance was taken away from a slave (reading, culture, language, etc.), then why was Christianity allowed?

Slave owners found that it was easier to control slaves by religion, as keeping their own faiths could potentially serve as a conduit for revolt. They also used Colossians 3:22 to justify owning and treating other human beings as property. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

6. Who is the Black Madonna?

A Black Madonna or Black Virgin is a statue or painting of Mary in which she is depicted with dark skin, especially those created in Europe in the medieval period or earlier. The Black Madonnas are generally found in Catholic countries.

7. A) What two major religious groups created the business of slavery? B)What are the two major religions African children belong to?

A) The Christians and Muslims.
B) Most African children are either Christians or Muslims, with pockets of Judaism and their native faiths.

8. In the preachers' Bible it says there is no physical depiction of Jesus. Why then do we allow pictures in the church and Bible?

The vast majority of the pictures of Christ have no resemblance to the way He actually looked. He is typically depicted incorrectly with long hair, and a soft, sad, sort of sanctimonious look. Paul, upon inspiration from Christ wrote that it is wrong for a man to have long hair! See 1 Corinthians 11:14 as evidence: Isn't it unnatural and ungraceful for men to have long hair? He would definitely take issue with our ponytails, dreadlocks, corn rows, and long hairstyles - including the afro.

9. How many chapters were in the original Bible? Where are those missing chapters now, and what information is missing? Why was it removed? 

In the original Bible, up to 617 chapters existed, most of which were later deemed unacceptable due to not only irrelevant information, but also those which were deemed heretic, dangerous, and corruptive by the Roman Catholic Church leaders. Those missing chapters (the Catholic Bible has 73 books to the Protestant's tome containing 66); also, the Archbishop of Canterbury purged fifteen more books in 1881. Those were the Apocryphal books. In addition, 28 more books do not appear in the Bible. Again, the removals began at Constantine's request in order to better control the Roman Empire.

10. Why did the Moors give America's Founding Fathers the secret to alchemy?

The Moors served as advisors to the United States in its infancy, as they were already in the American government. The first president - the one before George Washington - was a Moor. Also, Morocco was the first nation to recognize the United States as a sovereignty in 1773. Further proof comes in how Washington, DC was designed by Benjamin Banneker.


"This race of black men... is the very race to which we owe our arts, our sciences, and even the use of speech!" - Count C. Volney, French philosopher 1787

For additional information about African history, visit this link:  Blacked Out Through Whitewash and share this knowledge amongst your friends. 

Is Ferguson An Indicator of How Life Is Valued?

What #Ferguson is teaching us all is that there are a LOT of people who do not value black life. Serve and protect, my ass.
— A. Cedric Armstrong (@cedteaches) August 14, 2014

First of all, my heart goes out to the late Mike Brown family in their very public hour of bereavement. Losing a young man just as he enters a period of transition is devastating, and for that, words cannot suffice. Let us all as citizens of the human race pray for them.

Where do we start?

Ferguson is proof that black life is not valued by not only mainstream media, but also within our communities. How can an unarmed eighteen-year old take ten gunshots and be left to die with the cop standing over him in the heat? Instead of showing respect and covering the body, Mike Brown was left exposed for over an hour and essentially thrown in a van like a dog. The ensuing outrage is the result of a fed-up community by authorities and elected officers who do not look like them - or care, for that matter. Four hundred years of psychological warfare does that to a people to delude themselves of what we have always had:  a voice. From my ancestors being captured from western Africa, brought on a slave ship to the auction block in South Carolina and eventual migration to central Arkansas, we have been treated as second-class citizens. It has been only within the past fifty years or so that integration has afforded us some of the opportunities to succeed, many of which are mirages to most of us. For example, some high school counselors choose which students receive the extra help for scholarship aid and honors recipients. If this were not the case, then why are more young people aspiring to become entertainers and professional athletes than professionals in other fields? Where are the mentors and those who have "made it", and why are we silent beyond keystrokes? Where is the anger?

Why does black life mean less?

Could it be because the government has targeted us from Day One? Or the substandard health care providers who often set up practice in our communities only in it for a buck and not the total individual? What about the elementary school administrators, who upon the first sign of trouble, are quick to place our little boys and girls into a special education track? It is pretty obvious that law enforcement does not care about us, and the militarization of our police departments only confirms that belief. Do cops really need AR-15s and tanks to fight petty crimes?

As the introductory tweet shows, a LOT of people do not care about black life. Take a look around you and tell me that I'm wrong, and I'll tell you to take a look at your own life. This is greater than Ferguson, Sanford, Charlotte, Detroit, Oakland, Brooklyn, Little Rock, or any individual city; behaviors have been around since the advent of America. Keep in mind the Civil War was about slavery - don't let the actors tell you otherwise. I'm honestly more afraid of police now than I ever have been because they tend to shoot first and maybe ask questions later. There are good cops out there, like my bro Schmeck and fellow church member C.T.; generally, I am on eggshells among the rest of them. Several years ago, I was pulled over in Avon, CT for what was a minor traffic violation - I didn't read the stoplight that said not to turn right, but the officer should have realized I wasn't from there from the Arkansas tags on my car. Sure, I'm taking over tony Hartford suburbs in a red Hyundai Santa Fe. Right. After being held for nearly half an hour, he finally released me to go home. Lesson learned:  1) you never know what the wrong officer can do to you, and 2) Avon Mountain is one of the most dangerous intersections in New England. Driving while black is real, let me tell you!

From a religious perspective, it is easy for ministers to find something to preach from this upcoming Sunday. 1 John 2:11 reads as following: But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. Sin has blinded us into thinking that the life of one man is lesser than another solely because of how he looks. That is as wrong as dancing in two left shoes, yet people are so comfortable with associating with one group over another. Did Jesus do this? No. He ran with tax collectors, fishermen, and those whom the Jews considered the scourge of society; why would we expect to be better than that? Ferguson residents and the police department are learning together what happens in the dark comes to light eventually, and when it does, get ready for the fallout. Four hundred years of psychological warfare - loss of culture, language, and inability to acquire knowledge - tends to do that to people. The time to stand up for right is now. No more waiting for someone else to take the lead, we have that innate talent. Stand up against oppression. Stand up against sin. Stand up against bigotry. Stand up against the ignorance on our televisions. Stand for something!

Tired!

Truthfully, I'm tired.

I'm tired of turning on the TV or checking Twitter to find out another African-American brother or sister has been gunned down for something senseless like asking for help.

I'm tired of having to remain hyper-vigilant at all times around law enforcement who may just see me as a big black man (6', 260 lbs) who is out to break a law or have sex with anything walking. Yes, Avon, Conway, and Benton police departments, I'm looking squarely at you.

I'm tired of internet thugs who do nothing but contribute more to the problems instead of coming up with a constructive solution.

I'm tired of the stares received when I decide to take my wife to dinner at some casual restaurant like we cannot afford to eat there - or even supposed to be there.

I'm tired of the tired stereotypes themselves. I can't dance, gave up basketball several years ago, and cannot rap to save my life.

I'm tired of the consistent disrespect people have shown President Obama. I showed President Bush respect for his ideas and actions - his administration lost me after the slow response to Hurricane Katrina. I understand it was an act of God, but the humanitarian issue is the one I was more concerned about.

I'm tired of worrying that my next trip to work will be my last trip away from home. Haskell, Arkansas is a sundown town, but it is also where my employer is located. The local police may have an ax to grind one night and choose me as the next one to die.

I'm tired of the deafening silence from this generation of African-American movers and shakers. Just because you made it out doesn't mean you can forsake those who are still struggling. You (and I) are just members of the lucky sperm and egg club.

I'm tired of people hiding behind religion to cover up their own sins. God knows we're not perfect, so while we act high and mighty about one sin over another, God decries that sin is sin no matter what it is. Divorce is as much of a sin as homosexuality, just as gluttony and racism.

I'm tired of mainstream media depicting my people as common thugs and animals. You would think we were still living in the 1960s from the ways we are being treated. A peaceful march does not require riot gear and snarling dogs.

I'm tired of being limited by prospective employers regarding my knowledge and experiences as a result of seeing the dark skin and goatee. I understand technical writers in Arkansas will have a tougher time finding work, but it does not mean we are automatically jettisoned to the secretarial pool or the back room. Wait, I do function as the mad genius at my job.

I'm tired of having to pass on the same talk to the younger brothers about the dangerous world my parents gave me about the majority and how black males are seen. However, I am eternally grateful for that conversation.

I'm tired of race being the 800 pound gorilla in the room. Being conciliatory means you're weak, and showing a militant solution ends any discussion toward a common solution.

I'm tired of not being valued. Drake did say that motherf*ckers never loved us. That being said, why should I disarm your fears for you not to kill me? Why do you think I am doing something wrong? Should you be intimidated by my tall white t-shirt or Dwyane Wade jersey, loud chopped and screwed rap music, bald head, as much as my pressed shirt and tie? That was me as recent as five years ago. The same professional could dress down to something casual and receive a very different reaction. No matter what, we matter.

I'm just tired.

Baby Makin' Project

By no means will I go into further detail about our situation, as it is personal. However, I found this article on msn.com and decided to share parts of it in a summary - and more humorous approach. The likelihood of a pregnancy can be affected by strange things not limited to the time and frequency you are having sex. Below are six things that are proven to help get knocked up - and hopefully not knocked out by the headboard breaking activities. 

1. Darkness. It turns out Teddy Pendergrass had a valid point when he told us to turn down the lights. Melatonin, the hormone which protects women's eggs from stress, is produced at night; if you're trying to get pregnant, it is recommended that you try to spend at least eight hours in the dark.
2. Raspberries. Men over the age of 44 should be taking in Vitamin C since those who do have 20 percent less damage to their sperm. For women, increased dosages of Vitamin C after conception decreases the risk of miscarriage. Raspberries are a great source since one cup contain 54 percent of your daily dose of Vitamin C. 
3. Brothers, Lose the Laptop. It's very important to avoid high temperatures on the genitalia if you want to conceive since heat could harm sperm. This means evading hot tubs as well as the laptops because you know they get hot. Lesson:  Your soldiers need to march without getting lost along the way, so find a table to work (or in this case, blog) from. 
4. Yoga. I love a woman in yoga pants, but she's gotta do it too. As much as the significant other - or future baby mama - likes to run marathons and body build, she should choose yoga over her more intense workouts. 55 percent of women who participated in fertility treatments as well as a ten-week mind-body course had a viable pregnancy.
5. Fall in love with fish. Studies have shown that omega-3s found in oily fish can reduce the risk of miscarriage and improve sperm quality. Before gettin' some, treat the special one to a salmon or tilapia dinner! Save the fried catfish for cookouts and some other time.
6. Acupuncture. The prickly procedure and herbal medicine have been used to treat certain fertility problems thanks to the potential improvement in ovarian and follicular function, according to American Pregnancy Association. Acupuncture can also improve blood flow to the endometrium. 

Good luck and keep the Jodeci on repeat!

Questions Religion Failed To Answer

This  is a series of tough questions that organized religion has failed to answer sufficiently. I'm certain you can Google all of the answers, but feel free to share the questions with your pastors. I do not profess to know the answers (nor any of them, for that manner), but hopefully this post can help answer those questions that would be otherwise left unasked. 

1. Why does the picture of Jesus on the front of the Bible not match the description of him in Revelation 1:14?
2. Why did they hide Jesus in Egypt? What color were the people in Egypt during the time? If you hide something it should blend right. 
3. What is the council of Nicea?
4. Who is Horus?
5. If everything of substance was taken away from a slave (reading, culture, language, etc.) why was Christianity allowed?
6. Who is the Black Madonna?
7. A) What two religious groups created the business of slavery? B) What are the two major religions that children of Africa belong to?
8. In the preachers’ Bible it says that there is no physical depiction of Christ. Why then do we allow pictures in the church and Bible?
9. How many chapters were in the original Bible? Where are those chapters now? What information was left out and why?
10. Why did the Moors give the secrets of alchemy to America’s Founding Fathers?