Short Essay 2

The connection between Christianity and social status was that a Christian man and a non Christian man (although less emphasis was made in the case of Francisque) were on the complete opposite of the spectrum. If one was not Christian, then one was deemed a heathen and an ignorant beast with no morals or human rights. In order to be considered a part of society and to possibly move up the social ladder, one must believe in a form of Christianity and be apart of one of the many different denominations that are available to be accepted into the ranks of civilized peoples. Religion always played a large role in a lot of the law making processes along with how people treated others. It is not to say that what Christianity said was done and followed by all people at all times, but it was an important aspect of it. It is interesting that although many Europeans viewed dark skinned people of inferiority, many of the laws and rules were geared primarily toward Africans, including the issue of religion and how it was practiced. Christianity was important for social status typically in the moral sense rather than in the law sense. It has been seen in many of the areas, there are two social structures, one in the eyes of the law and one in the eyes of individuals. There were many people who believe that slavery was wrong, but they were always in the minority and shunned against. As time went on however, and as the idea of slavery began to dwindle away, people began to speak out more against slavery. Primarily from Christians who deeply followed the teachings of God, spoke out against slavery and its evilness. Although the abolitionist movements became stronger, with many spearheaded by Christians, only the social structure under the law seemed to change at a decent pace. Individuals still viewed dark skinned people as inferior, even if they were to be converted, they were meant to be in the life of servitude.

Readings:

The article “Questioning Slavery” by James Walvin does not speak about Christianity.

The reading of Equiano, Chapter 3 briefly mentions Christianity but not in any detail relevant to the thesis.

The reading by Peabody, titled “Race, Slavery, and the Law in Early Modern France” mentions the idea of religion briefly during the case of Francisque but not in grave detail. The importance of its mention is that during the trial, the lawyers brought up the fact that although he came from a place that practiced a “idolatrous religion”, they had laws and rules. It brings to light that although Christianity and religion are important, they are not the deciding factor by any means.

In Chapter 12 of Equianos reading, does speak of religion but more so as a way to further spread the word of the Lord. Equianos was to be ordained for he ran into problems previously trying to convert Indians to Christianity but in essence failed due to the fact that he was not officially ordained. Since Equiano was already accepted amongst others, it shows that being converted gave him more freedom to travel and more respect from those whom he visited

In the reading “Mobility in Chains” by Garzina, religion is brought up but not in a way to support the thesis. It focuses more on the internal dilemma each African writer went through in their own lives and assimilating into “white” culture.

In “Christianity and the campaign against slavery and the slave trade” by Brown, Christianity was mentioned more in the sense for the leading (or one of the leading) causes for the abolition of slavery movement and eventual ending of the slave trade. It can be asserted that as a whole, through Christian belief, slavery was inherently evil, the effects of it in a social status viewpoint is more toward the minimal side. Blacks or darker skinned people (especially those converted) were viewed higher than beasts that were supposed to be enslaved but they still were not treated or viewed as complete equals.

In the “Status of Black Residents in Eighteenth-Century France “ by Boulle, does speak about Christianity in the sense of that Europeans and all Christians have the duty to convert all those  who are not believers, into believers. It goes no further in trying to uplift the social status of those individuals, where it was still believed that blacks should be taught at the colonies but must be kept in the “dark” as it would be to dangerous for whites to give them freedom. It is mentioned that they must be kept ignorant, which leads to the belief that although they would be considered save in the eyes of God, they are still inherently inferior to the white populations.

In “National Myth, Conservatism, and the beginnings of British Antislavery” by Hudson, Christianity and religion as whole is a major theme. It is argued that religion was manipulated and changed for the greed of people. Christianity, in its purest form, slavery was and always has been against its teachings.

Conclusion:

The readings themselves do not all, and are not entirely focused on the religious aspect of Africans and how it effected social status. At the same time, although they did not directly speak about it, the viewpoints mentioned within the articles affirm that blacks were still viewed as inferiors on a large scale. There are many situations where blacks (born free or enslaved) gained respect from Europeans and were treated fairly. The number compared to those who were not is considerably low, along with the fact that just because they were treated by people of a specific area one way, does not mean they were going to b treated equally the same in other places. Out of the many African writes, from Equiano to Cuffe, many of them travelled quite frequently and travelled far distances. They were treated decently fair toward the middle and ends of their lives after assimilating into a religious denomination. One instance that shows religion as only a small part in creating social structure is in the Peabody article. It mentions of a slave from India, Francisque, who stood trial to win his freedom. His lawyers mention that he is not an African slave and so he should not be treated as such, but treated with more dignity. It is mentioned that although he comes from a culture that practices a idolatrous religion, he comes from a culture that is civilized and has features similar to that of Europeans. The emphasis that where he came from practices a religion, like African religion, deemed wrong because he is not from Africa, he should be treated differently and better. The idea of religion was used to make claims both for the support of the continual mistreatment of Africans and for the abolition of slavery as a whole.  The reading s themselves never mention specifically that with the conversion of Africans into Christianity, they will be viewed and treated as equals with the same access and opportunities as others. It is not even mentioned that they will and are going to be treated at least to the level of the low class white citizens. It is shown and alluded to that although they assimilated into the culture, they are still inferior as a whole to any white European citizen who was born civilized and not having to be taught to be such.