Easter, March 2016
Pope Francis washes and kisses the feet of Muslim, Hindu and Christian refugees
Concerned by the spread of US & global racism and religious intolerance, Pope Francis is intentionally sending a visual message to those who call themselves Christians and claim to be followers of Jesus Christ.
Why Is Sunday The Most Segregated Day of The Week? Why Are People Demonstrating In The Streets Against Racism and Police Brutality of Unarmed Black People? Those who Call Themselves Christians Need To Listen....But before you do, there is an important fact to acknowledge. Caucasians, who only comprise about 10% of the world's population but possess most of world's wealth, were once Black. 90% of the world's population are people of color. Click Here.
In the face of "I Can't Breathe" "Black Lives Matter" demonstrations across America by all nationalities who are outraged at the wave of police brutality, shootings and killings of unarmed Black men, this interview gives perspective on the connection of these killings, mob lynchings and castrations of Black men post reconstruction and the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and a false image of a white Jesus being at the root of racism and white supremacy.
Why was Jesus changed from Black To White despite biblical, scientific and geographic proof to the contrary? Click Here.
If Mother Mary was black as seen in statues all across Europe, then what does that mean for Jesus? Listen carefully to what's said by Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis and Rev. Dr. Serene Jones who spoke on the MHPShow about the importance of love, faith and connection in healing the fault lines of race in America. Click Here To Hear The Truth About Jesus From These Two Ministers 4 minutes in.
Melissa Harris Perry just made reference to Theologian John Cone, who explains below the connection between Jesus' Crucifixion, lynchings , and the poor today. Listen to why he thinks black and white Christians interpret the scriptures so differently. Maybe this explains why Sunday continues to be the most segregated day of the week.
My Name is Charles Johnson. I grew up in Harlem during the 60's. I went to Catholic grammar school at Saint Mark's on 138th and Lenox Avenue which was run by the Sisters of The Blessed Sacrament. My mom had me baptized a Catholic when I was 9 because tuition was cheaper for Catholics. All students were required to go to church every Sunday. The sisters were very dedicated in their efforts to give inner city kids the best education possible. If they had any racist tendencies, I never saw or experienced it. But I also had two African America teachers, Mrs. Norcross in the 3rd grade and Mrs. Williams in the 5th. They taught me the importance of being proud of my history and why its necessary to stand up for truth. That's the reason for this blog. The power of the internet makes this conversation possible. Publications, TV and radio both black and white that depend on ad dollars, would never tackle this controversial subject because of white denial, coverup and backlash.
In the Book of Daniel, it says the hair of the Messiah’s head would be “like the pure wool” of a lamb and the Book of Revelation likens the prophetic Jesus’ feet to “fine brass, as if burned in a furnace.”
Song of Solomon, chapter 1 verses 5 and 6 reads (King James Version)
Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept. Read here about the importance of the white Jesus lie in perpetuating global white supremacy (ClickHere)
For smoother viewing hit the start then hit stop allowing the grey line to fill to
The Simple Truth...
Malcolm X wrote about white supremacists and slaveholders using Christianity to justify their “moral” and “racial superiority” over Blacks. In Malcolm’s own words, “The Holy Bible in the white man’s hands and its interpretations of it have been the greatest single ideological weapon for enslaving millions of non-white human beings.” Throughout history, whether it was in Jerusalem, Spain, India, Brazil or Africa, so-called white “Christians” cultivated a twisted interpretation of religion that was compatible with their colonialist agenda. And racism was a key component of their atrocities.
For centuries, in an effort to demonize and demean Black people, and create fear in whites, Satan has been portrayed with black skin. (Click Here To See)
Franklin Graham Is An Example Of The Kind Of hypocritical white Christians Malcolm X Described.
Black Jesus.com is a place for exploring the truth about what Jesus truly looked like and why the denial and cover up of this truth negatively effects people of color all over the world, but especially where ever white Christianity has ever existed any where in the world. If you are new to this site and want to continue to believe in the lie that Jesus Christ was white, blond and blue eyed, please don't bother to post any bigoted remarks. They will be immediately deleted. It is your right to believe what ever you choose. But if you feel it is important to finally know the truth, and why its been hidden, then we welcome your comments on this and any other subjects we will cover.
But Listen To The Hatred That Has Been Directed At Her For Revealing The Truth. White anthropologists have confirmed that at the beginning, all of humanity was Black. Click here to see.
As a child, I often wondered why I saw no Black Angels or Saints in the pictures of St. Mark's Church. I wondered, don't Black people go to heaven? Is there a black heaven and a white heaven? But in high school at Cardinal Hayes in the Bronx in 1970, I began to raise this question in my religion class. My religion teacher, Father John Mitchel became enraged when I said there was no way Jesus Christ could have been white, based on where Palestine, Jesus birth place is located next to Egypt and how sun exposed people looked during that time period. Rather than engaging me in a conversation and opening it up for class discussion, he became very angry, calling me blasphemous and demanded that I leave his class. Over the next 3 years this happened not once, but three times.
Ironically, it was a white priest by the name of Father John Meehan, who came to my defense on several occassions to lobby on my behalf on the side of truth, against his fellow priests who refused to consider the facts. He also became, in many ways, the father figure I never had. To this day, he is still a dear friend.
"Where did Joseph and Mary take Jesus to escape as they sought to hide from Herod?" They went to a place where they could blend in and not stand out: Egypt, known for its people of color."
For Those Who Believe Christ Wasn't Black Because He Was A Jew Click Here.
Why are so many people afraid of the truth? What is this fear of dark skin and where does it come from? Why does this fear appear to be pervasive all over the world where white, brown and dark skin people try to coexist. As the originator of this blog, I want to explore the issue of race in the US and around the world that appear in the news, in sports, health care, and in every day life world wide. I invite all open minded people to post their ideas.
When you close your eyes, what does he look like? Most white people see Jesus and God as white and this empowers them. Some Caucasians falsely believe their supposed racial superiority starts here. For some brain washed blacks who have grown up seeing pictures of white Jesus in their church, their image is the same, because they wonder 'If Jesus really did look like me, and he was the son of God, then why have darker people suffered so much through out history. Further, a lack or distorted history taught in the schools has led them to believe, like most whites, that Black people have accomplished nothing. Harriet Tubman, who led hundreds of slaves to freedom by way of the Undergound Railroad said she could have freed many more if they had just believed they should be free. This untrue Caucasian image of Jesus keeps all of us enslaved in a lie.
Red Fox and Good Times The Sitcom Explain This False Image In A Very Humorous Way As Well As Other Lies Are Addressed On This Video
For smoother viewing hit start, then stop allowing the gray line to load to the far right.
Imagine how differently black and white people would view themselves and the world around us if we all embraced this truth.
It is my hope that by presenting the biblical and scientific facts about Jesus, we will bring the truth to the surface and shed more light on how ridiculous and harmful racism really is. I have been asked, Why does it matter what color Jesus Christ was? If it doesn't matter, why has the truth been hidden. Why does this false image of a white Jesus Christ appear annually in Newsweek, Time magazine and network TV specials like CNN's After Jesus and The History Channels "The Bible."
Fact: Jesus Was A Dark Skin Palestinian
I don't expect most whites to change their mind despite the facts. But I do believe that unless Black and Brown people throughout the world, who believe in Christianity demand this truth, we will never fully embrace our obligation to live life to its fullest as equal human beings and followers of Jesus Christ. It is up to us to change the false belief by some, that they are the superior race and this world was made for them by their God and that people of color are just taking up space.
White people only make up 10% of the world's population. The rest of the humanity consists of people of color, yet this Caucasian image of supposed superior intelligence and beauty is the imposed standard that the rest of non-white humanity is judged and excluded by especially in societies where Caucasians make and control the economic and social barriers to upward mobility.
If Black and White people world wide really want positive change, it must start with how we deal with this Jesus truth. What do you think....P.S. Please listen to these 6 videos that reveal the biblical and scientific proof titled "Listen To the Biblical Proof."
And They Say The Color Of Jesus Doesn't Matter ...Click Here.
Just recently on an AOL Entertainment post it was noted that a movie by the Sundance Company is coming out with a movie of Black Jesus.
The techniques that have been used to keep Blacks down are just now beginning to be Realized. I myself as a child often wondered "Why did I have to be Black" while looking at a picture of a White Jesus. Not realizing that this is part of how the White race has kept their power over Blacks. So, "yes", I do understand the pain.
Keep up the GOOD WORK. (Im in LOVE) I WILL BE RECOMMENDING THIS SITE TO OTHERS.
Posted by: Robin | February 04, 2006 at 08:51 PM
I READ EVERYTHING YOU WROTE HERE AND AGREE WITH MOST OF WHAT YOU SAID. THE ONE THING I DIDNT AGREE WITH IS THAT BLACK DOSENT CARE ABOUT THIER HISTORY, WE DO, IT'S JUST THAT I DONT THINK ANY ONE MADE US AWARE THAT WE HAD A WONDERFUL HISTORY, WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT FIRST, AND THEN START STUDYING ABOUT US. WE ARE A GREAT AND WONDERFUL RACE., I AM 71 YEARS OLD AND AM JUST BEGINNING TO STUDY OUR FOREFATHERS.
I DO HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO WRITE THESE COLUM, AS I DIDNT ADDRESS EVERY THING YOU WWROTE ABOUT HERE I DID ENJOY ALL OF IT VERY MUCH.
I WILL SAY THAT I THINK MAYBE IT DOSENT MATTER JESUS RACE, HE WAS FOR ALL RACES, HE CAME TO EARTH TO EARTH IN FLESH TO SHOW US THE WAY, ALL OF US, HE DIED FOR OUR SINS, ALL OD US, HE WAS GOD'S SON, HE LOVED US ALL
THIS WE SHOULD KNOW AND THANK GOD FOR HIM.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME.
Posted by: JOYCE | February 06, 2006 at 11:56 AM
I find your site interesting, and it raises many important questions. In one respect, I agree with you. Using simple logic, anyone can see that the historical Jesus was not white in the European sense. However, it is misleading to say that the man was black. This suggests that he was of African lineage, while in fact Jesus was Aramaic- a member of a Middle Eastern ethnic group.
I feel that the quest for the true face of Jesus should carried out in the name of science, and not for any other reasons.
Interesting picture! Forensic anthropologists, computer programmers and conceptual artists produced this image:
englishatheist.org/images/jesusbbc.jpg
Posted by: Rob | February 06, 2006 at 09:45 PM
february 26...2006
today i was surfing the web and found your site...i agree with most of the things you have talked about...from what i feel jesus was a person of darker skin...i don't know why white people (mostly) try to separate egypt from africa...it is in the continent of africa...look at the coloring of those people some of them look black...from what i have seen...i am a 64 year old african american woman still healthy and full of life...when i found out later in life about all of the african american inventors...all of these years there was so much i did not know...i feel so very cheated...never taught that in school.....i enjoyed reading about your we site...keep up the good work..amen
Posted by: helen | February 06, 2006 at 10:06 PM
There is a very strong possibility that Jesus was black , because most of the Middle East sits on the Contietent of Africa.
History of the Middle East will bear this out.
Posted by: Janet | February 06, 2006 at 10:53 PM
What you say is all well and good but I htink there is a fundamental flaw in this argument. What you are actually doing is dismissing all the gods of our ancestors and instead repainting one that was forced upon us the the very forces we need to shed.
I could go into the argument that many believe that Jesus Christ is nothing more than a composite of many characters over time in the mideast. Considering how the new testament was composed, that sounds plausible to me.
But the real point is that repainting jesus will never remove what most of us really believe. Christianity is a white man's religion. Always was, always will be.
Christianity is the strongest chain that keeps us from growing beyond the boundaries set for us. Recolouring the chain, just barely makes us feel better about ourselves... but it does FREE US.
If we want true empowerment, we have to totally dispense with this religion. But it is the hardest thing for most of us to do. Tis much easier to do a make-over.
Posted by: DLMcNeil | February 07, 2006 at 10:48 AM
Apology.. I meant to say it doesnt FREE US.
Posted by: DLMcNeil | February 07, 2006 at 10:50 AM
You are so very right christainity is a white mans religion. It will never set you free,but inslave us even more to the white man,their beliefs and way of life.
Posted by: Dalethyah | February 07, 2006 at 12:45 PM
I have read your site and found it most interesting. I too, asked this question as a youth - and I am caucasion. It just made sense to me that if Jesus came into our world in Africa, and walked and taught among his people, that he must look more African than European. Of couse, I, like you, was told I was being blasphemous! However, I do disagree with some of the posts about Christianity being a white mans religion. Perhaps I'm just enslaved as well, but I feel that Christianity is a human religion and teaches us that no person should be judged by skin, or any other physical trait. But by the love in their heart and the goodness (and selflessness) of their deeds. I hope God blesses you, your family and those who visit your site. I know he's blessed me!
Posted by: Angel | February 07, 2006 at 03:28 PM
Thanks you Angel for your thoughtful and kind comments. My intent with this site is not to divide but to point out that truth and mutual respect will bring greater understanding among all human beings.
Posted by: [email protected] | February 07, 2006 at 06:43 PM
I think we are missing the point. Does it matters what was the skin color of Jesus? What matters are His teachings. One was not to judge or discriminate. Focusing on race or skin color only promotes division.
Posted by: Al | February 07, 2006 at 07:37 PM
What's the point of this writing? The Bible also says in the words of Jesus Himself that we should not display any images of Him. No pictures nor statues. So what the big deal. I'm a black man and a minister as well. Now my reasons for asking the questions that I have, is how does it relate to the Great Commision wich should be the main focus of all our work. If it is not pertaining to salvation of the strengthening of the saints by faith; it's just a distraction that's not needed. We have too much work to do trying to get souls saved and living the Christian life to be debating this topic. This is probably why Jesus told us not to keep up any pictures or statues of Him in the first place.
Posted by: Delwin D. Campbell | February 08, 2006 at 03:37 AM
I dont have a question rather if jesus was black or not I know he was black. the problem I have is the word "christian" were did it come from, jesus never spoke on this. I am what you would call a holly person, this is what god ask you to be when he spoke on it in the bible. when you say christian you are putting jesus in a box and beleive me jesus is in no box.jesus can reach anybody,at any place, at any given time. I really have a problem with these christain because they are living a lie and they dont even know it or they dont want to know it. I have try to explain to many christian that if you are going to live by the bible than live by it and stop making it cater to you and your man made faith. jesus never spoke on christmas or easter, these are man made european holiday so you can believe in there white jesus. christianity is a white faith for white america, like I said jesus is greater than any man made faith.
Posted by: dx13 | February 08, 2006 at 04:03 AM
I will be happy when Black People get over their SLAVE mentality, and not only discover our roots to Africa, but Christianty's roots to Africa. What do we have to fear when the spirit of fear comes from Satan, and not God.I personally love reading about African/Black history in the Bible. Abraham came from Ur of the Chaldeas (.s.p)Africa. The boudaries of Africa were redefined. Also Africa is shown on globes to be smaller than North America, when it is actually much larger.
Jacob, Abraham's son whose name was changed by God to Israel had a son named Joseph. And as some know he became the govenor of Egypt Africa and married an African Priest's daughter who bore him two son's which Jacob blessed. The African's including the God fearing Pharaoh did not like or trust Joseph's 11 brothers. Why they did not beleive the dreams that God gave Joseph and sought to kill him. God saved Joseph from them and others to be promoted governor as the fulfillment of his dream. He was then the head of his family too as he brought them to egypt and saved them from sure death because of a drought and famine.
After Joseph's Pharaoh died God turned the hearts of the following Pharaoh's to deceive themselves and to turn against Israel (the Hebrew people). For the next 430 years they were in Slavery.
Now God has adopted people into Jesus lineage from all nations and incest was not the norm for replinishing the earth. Ruth who married Boaz is an exception. She is the offspring of lot and his oldest daughter after God destroyed Sodom and Gamorrah and all the surround cities save one for Lot and his two daughers. The men from all the surrounding cities wanted to know God in the unbiblical sense when eh appeared as 3 persons in the flesh to judge them. He heard from heaven about the prevalent homosexuality so he came in the flesh as three men to see just how lost they were. They cried out we want those men and one of them is a judge. They knew what they were doing. God was not pleased for the command from him, from the beginning and even utno today is to replenish the earth. Homosexaul union can not please God for they are an alternative life style to replenishing the earth.
Incest in not the methodolgy for replenishing the earth either. Look at the insanity that occurred when the Ceasars tried to keep a pure bloodline by incest. It is obvious to me and should be to others that homosexual and incest was not the methodology God used in Africa to replenish the earth with his people Israel. Now here is the clencher.
Jacobs family consisted of only 74 people when his son Joseph had them come to live in Egypt, Africa. over the course of 430 years of slavery, where perhaps they could not leave in large quantities, they grew to 2 1/2 million people. Joseph had no problem marrying an African Priest's daughter and bearing at least two sons as recorded in the Bible. Not all things are recored like women.
When Moses led them out of Egypt, Africa who by the way was a son of Jacob from the tribe of Levi, 600 thousand other Africans left with them. Many other Africans who stayed behind gave them the furnishings used in the Tabernacle that they carried with them for forty years in the wilderness and ended up in the temple that Solomon built, in the place God revealed to David, the threshing floor of Ornan.
2 1/2 million Hebrew people, and 600 thousand non Hebrew but African people were led across the Red Sea by Moses the Levite, Moses' family became the Levitical Priesthood with Aaron as the High Priest. The African Priesthood did not have a High Priest. Perhaps Moses descended from one of Joseph's son's.
That is just the beginning of not only Israel (Judaism) but Judaeo Christianity, Black or African. God caused the Hebrew people of 12 tribes to split into 2 groups. 10 are not lost but hidden by God. You can see why because of how the world treats Israel (Hebrew people) even today all over the world. 2 tribes are visable and are back in part of Israel, the land God gave them. The rest of the land God gave Israel (or Jacob) has been renamed Palestine. It is hard to find anyone who can print or who knows or teaches these Biblical historical facts. They usually use falacious arguments or build a strawman built on
mis-information as one would say in today's politically correct venacular.
Posted by: Chaplain Winston | February 11, 2006 at 06:03 PM
Hi, this will probably make me unpopular with your site but I am a white athiest/agnostic. However I understand the importance of being able to identify yourself with the religion you follow whether it be Christianity/Judaism or Satanism. Even so I find this conspiracy you seem to believe in "of keeping the black man down" through religion a bit ridiculous. I find it equally ridiculous when white people argue over the colour of Jesus' skin. In any case the reason that Jesus appears as white or God appears as white in western culture is because Christianity, whether you like it or not, was spread through the Roman Empire and was brought to the fore front of religions by people indigenous to Europe. Even African Christianity, while being mixed with native gods etc., is based upon British Christianity. Also the idea that a white person might feel impowered by thinking of God as white is a bit paranoid, like you, these christians were brought up with images of white Jesus, they weren't sitting there snidely thinking "Oh look our God is white just like me, aren't we that much better than black people". Traditionally, and christianity is nothing if not traditional, Jesus was depicted as white, so can you blame someone for holding up their tradition, they might aswell drop churches all together and instead hold gatherings in burger king. I would also add that if your willing to believe in a man, the only evidence for whom, rests in a book written down some 100 years after his death then the race of such a man shouldn't be a big deal and you'd think if it had been, God himself would have done something about it. I also agree with many posts that the Africans should not forget their own gods like Christianity has forced us Europeans too, if anything homeland gods makes more sense than this one size fits all Judeo belief. However I found your account of growing up as a Christian very interesting, but I would say the children in Ireland got a lot worse than just being sent out of class. Whatever you do, please do not support a Pope who will cover up his Paedophile preists.
Posted by: Will Hoffman | February 12, 2006 at 09:26 AM
i always thought that jesus was of the jewish descent.. and i also heard that the word 'christianity' came from some people who were making fun of people that were spreading the gospel and asked them if they were going to call themselves christians and it stuck... i dunno but that's what i heard. it shouldnt really matter what color jesus was, just as long as we believe that he is our lord and savior skin color has nothing to do with it.
Posted by: the_fireplace_cym_07 | February 16, 2006 at 06:21 PM
True Confessions of an Ex-Christian by Min. Paul Scott
I became a better “Christian” when I stopped being one.
While the obvious contradictory nature of this statement may be overwhelming, the essence of this pronouncement reaches deep into the Blackness of my soul and brings forth a great spiritual awakening that cannot be contained within the tiny religious box in which the European has placed me. Unfortunately, many of us remain trapped in the theological prison of Eurocentric Christianity from the cradle to the grave. We have suffered from the inability to break the spiritual chains that were placed on us by our oppressors and we have failed to define our relationship to the Creator from our own experience.
I am not the first who has come to the crossroads where European Christianity and Afrocentricity meet. Unfortunately, many have refused to articulate this feeling of alienation and have instead chosen to sit quietly on the pew in the back of the church trying to convince themselves that if they just sit through one more sermon, the lottery ticket in their pocket will hit and all their worries will be over….
The relationship between Black folks and Christianity has been the subject of many essays, books and lectures and most would agree that what is called “Christianity” was a religious practice forced on our ancestors. There is no denying the fact that Christianity has been used by the European as a form of nationalism and an agent of social control. The fallacy of a blue eyed blond haired Jesus and the factuality of the Blackness of the original Hebrew Israelites has also been discussed at length by some of our greatest minds.
But the question here is can one be both Afrocentric and Christian or is the term a misnomer such as Communist-Capitalist, Republican-Democrat, African-American ?
Many Afrikan people see Christianity as something that was forced upon our ancestors with whips and chains, our parents by a giant propaganda machine and ourselves with a belt if we did not get up in time for Sunday school. Under these circumstances, we had no choice but to become Christians. Since it was forced upon us, we did not have a chance to make the connection between the religion and our Afrikan spirituality. So the thing that was supposed to make us FREE became the tool of our continued oppression.
Sadly, many Black folks may never feel the need to grow beyond the theological teachings of their childhood. As long as they have FAITH in a God who will show up when the bills are due, send them the perfect spouse and forgive them for sneaking around with a member of the usher board , they are willing to go with the flow without once asking themselves; what does it really mean to be a Christian and who makes that decision?
But Christianity becomes problematic when one begins to discover his “Blackness” and trades in his comic books for books on African history and starts spending less time in the clubs vibin’ to the latest Hip Hop jam and more time attending lectures about the struggle of Afrikan people. What happens when these two worlds collide; the immovable object of Eurocentric Christianity and the irresistible force of Afrocentricity. Can Christianity with its strong Euro-nationalistic overtones coexist with the quest for Black self determination?
This conflict often leaves the Afrocentric Christian isolated. Alienated from the church because he is Afrocentric and alienated from the Afrocentrists because he is a Christian. On one hand the church is saying that he is going to hell for getting involved in “that Black stuff” and on the other hand the Afrocentrist hides behind the shield of Black Unity and religious tolerance while all the while belittling his religious FAITH. Does it make one less of a Child of God because he refuses to let the white man define his existence or his relationship with the Creator. Or does it make one less valuable to the struggle of Afrikan people because he follows the teachings of a Black revolutionary born in Northeast Africa? Does using the words of the original African Hebrew Israelites (the Bible) make one less Afrocentric than a Brother or Sister who has chosen another path to the Creator?
The reason why the white supremacist system never wanted us to dig below the surface of Christianity is because they have always known that the religion that they transported to Rome is African at its core. And the revelation of this would signal the end of the white control of the minds and spirits of Afrikan people.
But the question remains can one still answer to a Roman derogatory term and claim Afrocentricity ? And if I am no longer a Christian how do I define my religious convictions ?
The answer to this goes back to our power to define who we are and our relationship with the Creator. My personal conversion from an Afrocentric Christian to a Messianic Afrikan along with the rejection of a blue eyed Jesus Christ and the acceptance of Yeshua, the Black Revolutionary Messiah was more than just an exercise of semantics; it was the missing link between my religious belief system and African spirituality. As far as trying to put a name on my religion; If Yeshua taught that he is the WAY, TRUTH and the LIFE, then my religion is the TRUTH that is the WAY to a better LIFE for Afrikan people.
When it is all said and done, after all of our prayers, chants and religious symbolism, isn’t that what we are all striving towards.
Each day we strive to gain more KNOWLEDGE, WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING of the Creator and we are all stumbling in the darkness searching for the LIGHT but as they say in the church’ “We will understand it better by and by.”
Min. Paul Scott represents the Messianic Afrikan Nation. He can be reached at [email protected].
Posted by: Min. Paul Scott | February 18, 2006 at 08:16 AM
Your well thought out and written
ideas represent the reason why I put
up this site. The phrase "Black Jesus"
is typed in over 50,000 times a month across the net. So clearly Black
people and other nationalities are searching for some truth to this
life we have been given by our
creator. Please come back and share
some more of your insightful thoughts.
Posted by: Charles Johnson | February 18, 2006 at 09:40 AM
THE BLACK JESUS
I will share here an E-mail sent to a Pastor after he depicted Jesus Christ as resembling the character that was starring in the Blockbuster motion picture, The Passion of The Christ. We realized as true Scholars of the Bible and, also amature Historians that many were not very happy about Mel Gibson's picture.
Hence the contents and dialog via E-mail with Pastor Brown, whose church I will not mention in the context of this display of bigotry.
Mr. Brown:
Though you may not have intended to prove a racial superiority again, your depiction of Him is inaccurate. I have one question, which is, if the ethnicity of The Christ is not important, then why was it changed? I have asked many that are theologians and not one of them seemed to have an answer.
For those of us who believe that God manifested himself as a human and that human had to have an ethnicity, and that ethnicity was of African stock, we have been told all manner of nonsense as to why this should not be important.
Mr. Brown, maybe you personally have not used this to propagate a superior position however many Europeans have and used this information from the great depiction of David by Michelangelo to in Rome to be an European.
This was the start of the lies that have been told to the world. I believe that also the mention of Rome in the Bible is in the New Testament of the Bible. Rome is no consideration in the ethical identification of the “Bible Writers”.
As the Original African Study Bible quotes and I will share with you. “ We can now return to the question of the race of Jesus of Nazareth. His mother, Mary, was Afro-Asiatic and probably looked like a typical Yemenite, Trinidadian, of African American of today. Consider a few inescapable factors that challenge the traditional perception of the Madonna and Child. In Matt.2:15 and Hos. 11:1 we find the words, “out of Egypt, I have called my son. “ The passage is part of the notorious flight into Egypt, which describes Mary and Joseph’s attempt to hide the one that King Herod feared would displace him. Imagine the divine family as Europeans hiding in Africa! This is quite doubtful. (Egypt has always been part of Africa, despite centuries of European scholarship which has diligently sought to portray Egypt as an extension of southern Europe.)
Literally hundreds of Shrines of the Black Madonna have existed in many parts of North Africa, Europe, and Russia. These are not weather-beaten misrepresentations of some original white Madonna, but uncanny reminders of the original people who inhabited ancient Palestine at the time of Jesus of Nazareth and earlier. The “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” of the Negro spiritual was in fact quite black.
Mary, Joseph, and Jesus were neither Greek nor Roman. With the marvelous oils and watercolors of the painter’s brush, the world gradually witnessed the rebirth of Jesus, as medieval and Renaissance artist made him suitable for the portrayal of Christianity as a “European” religion. Thus there developed a brand new manger scene, with the infant Jesus and his parents reimaged. Ancient darker, and clearly more African, icons, were discarded or destroyed.
Many in the 1990’s who think of a black Jesus as an oddity or scandalous distortion of historical facts insist that Jesus was Semitic, or Middle Eastern. However, to call Jesus Semitic does not take us very far, because this nineteenth-century term refers not to a racial type, but to a time that the European academy coined the term Semitic, it also created the geographical designation called the Middle East- all in an effort to avoid talking about Africa! This academic racism sought to de-Africanize both the sacred story of the Bible and Western Civilization.
So, you see Mr. Brown there is no reason that anyone who says they they love Jesus would take the truth and try to misguide it with more lies and try to distort the birthright of the Savior of the world. White and Black Christians alike are some of the ones who have cause what the study bible calls “the injustices have caused insurmountable suffering and pain. It is the collective consensus of the translators and interpreters of this version of the Bible that this cycle of darkness must be broken, for the truth is the light, and with the truth all captives shall be set free.” In my opinion, freeing one from the nuisances of racism, bigotry, hatred, and ignorance.
Mr. Brown, I was a Buddhist for 15years and, I was touched by the word of God through the reading of a minister from Africa who wrote a book, that as I read it, I thought it was one of the most crazy writings that I had read about someone’s journey in Christ and that book believe it or not opened my mind and assisted to convert me to Christianity. Afterwards the Lord himself has put this on my heart to speak on the ethnicity of Jesus Christ because it will change the hearts of people who have some hang ups on religion and race.
I hope that I have enlighten you Mr. Brown because I come from the heart and not to be abrasive at all but men of God should know that this is important and tell the truth. Pastor Rod Parsley went have way but I don’t think that he has the heart to tell the whole truth. I hope that you will study and will tell the truth.
Respectfully Yours,
John Harrison
Posted by: John Harrison | February 19, 2006 at 05:31 PM
THE BLACK JESUS
I will share here an E-mail sent to a Pastor after he depicted Jesus Christ as resembling the character that was starring in the Blockbuster motion picture, The Passion of The Christ. We realized as true Scholars of the Bible and, also amature Historians that many were not very happy about Mel Gibson's picture.
Hence the contents and dialog via E-mail with Pastor Brown, whose church I will not mention in the context of this display of bigotry.
Mr. Brown:
Though you may not have intended to prove a racial superiority again, your depiction of Him is inaccurate. I have one question, which is, if the ethnicity of The Christ is not important, then why was it changed? I have asked many that are theologians and not one of them seemed to have an answer.
For those of us who believe that God manifested himself as a human and that human had to have an ethnicity, and that ethnicity was of African stock, we have been told all manner of nonsense as to why this should not be important.
Mr. Brown, maybe you personally have not used this to propagate a superior position however many Europeans have and used this information from the great depiction of David by Michelangelo to in Rome to be an European.
This was the start of the lies that have been told to the world. I believe that also the mention of Rome in the Bible is in the New Testament of the Bible. Rome is no consideration in the ethical identification of the “Bible Writers”.
As the Original African Study Bible quotes and I will share with you. “ We can now return to the question of the race of Jesus of Nazareth. His mother, Mary, was Afro-Asiatic and probably looked like a typical Yemenite, Trinidadian, of African American of today. Consider a few inescapable factors that challenge the traditional perception of the Madonna and Child. In Matt.2:15 and Hos. 11:1 we find the words, “out of Egypt, I have called my son. “ The passage is part of the notorious flight into Egypt, which describes Mary and Joseph’s attempt to hide the one that King Herod feared would displace him. Imagine the divine family as Europeans hiding in Africa! This is quite doubtful. (Egypt has always been part of Africa, despite centuries of European scholarship which has diligently sought to portray Egypt as an extension of southern Europe.)
Literally hundreds of Shrines of the Black Madonna have existed in many parts of North Africa, Europe, and Russia. These are not weather-beaten misrepresentations of some original white Madonna, but uncanny reminders of the original people who inhabited ancient Palestine at the time of Jesus of Nazareth and earlier. The “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” of the Negro spiritual was in fact quite black.
Mary, Joseph, and Jesus were neither Greek nor Roman. With the marvelous oils and watercolors of the painter’s brush, the world gradually witnessed the rebirth of Jesus, as medieval and Renaissance artist made him suitable for the portrayal of Christianity as a “European” religion. Thus there developed a brand new manger scene, with the infant Jesus and his parents reimaged. Ancient darker, and clearly more African, icons, were discarded or destroyed.
Many in the 1990’s who think of a black Jesus as an oddity or scandalous distortion of historical facts insist that Jesus was Semitic, or Middle Eastern. However, to call Jesus Semitic does not take us very far, because this nineteenth-century term refers not to a racial type, but to a time that the European academy coined the term Semitic, it also created the geographical designation called the Middle East- all in an effort to avoid talking about Africa! This academic racism sought to de-Africanize both the sacred story of the Bible and Western Civilization.
So, you see Mr. Brown there is no reason that anyone who says they they love Jesus would take the truth and try to misguide it with more lies and try to distort the birthright of the Savior of the world. White and Black Christians alike are some of the ones who have cause what the study bible calls “the injustices have caused insurmountable suffering and pain. It is the collective consensus of the translators and interpreters of this version of the Bible that this cycle of darkness must be broken, for the truth is the light, and with the truth all captives shall be set free.” In my opinion, freeing one from the nuisances of racism, bigotry, hatred, and ignorance.
Mr. Brown, I was a Buddhist for 15years and, I was touched by the word of God through the reading of a minister from Africa who wrote a book, that as I read it, I thought it was one of the most crazy writings that I had read about someone’s journey in Christ and that book believe it or not opened my mind and assisted to convert me to Christianity. Afterwards the Lord himself has put this on my heart to speak on the ethnicity of Jesus Christ because it will change the hearts of people who have some hang ups on religion and race.
I hope that I have enlighten you Mr. Brown because I come from the heart and not to be abrasive at all but men of God should know that this is important and tell the truth. Pastor Rod Parsley went have way but I don’t think that he has the heart to tell the whole truth. I hope that you will study and will tell the truth.
Respectfully Yours,
John Harrison
Posted by: John Harrison | February 19, 2006 at 05:48 PM
THE BLACK JESUS
Mr. Brown:
See what I mean; You have the audacity to write to me in this manner, the manner to say “with all due respect, Jesus came from the tribe of Judah.” I do understand the term with all due respect, do you? He was from the tribe of Judah, that is just my point. Was David of the same tribe? Was Solomon from the same tribe? I hope that you know where to find the Genealogy of Jesus.
I have never attended any Seminary School and I hope for the sake of the school that you may have attended that they also, because of the bigotry and racist views, the European man cannot phantom Jesus being of African stock.
I feel sad for you because you are the leader of a flock of God’s children and you will not even investigate the fact that Jesus was of African stock. So, you will lead the people by allowing them to believe the lies that have been imparted as part of the so called word. What I will do now for you is to take you to the scriptures so that maybe in your confused and misinformed heart you will maybe read your Bible and see for yourself.
With all due respect, I will share an article written by some scholars that will run circles around you sir. I dare you to do the research. Now the reason that I continue to try to reach your heart is because I think that you can change your mind if given enough empirical proof and information, I hope for the souls that you are leading. And, sir, if you don’t change the information that you are imparting to them, Hell is somewhere you will be visiting when the time comes.
Again.
Respectfully Yours,
John Harrison
Posted by: John Harrison | February 19, 2006 at 05:49 PM
Although film, books and art depict most biblical characters as blond and blue-eyed Europeans, a growing body of research indicates that Blacks or people who would be considered as Blacks today were among the major actors in the Bible, which is generally called "the greatest book of all time."
"Over the years, African-Americans have been introduced to a form of Christianity that was largely recast through the European culture," says Dr. Cain Hope Felder, a New Testament language and literature professor at the Howard University School of Divinity and the author of several books on the subject. "We are not creating something new. We are going back and recovering what was always there."
What was always there, Dr. Felder and other religious experts say, is incontrovertible evidence that noted biblical figures, such as the Queen of Sheba, Moses' Cushite wife Zipporah, Prophet Jeremiah's right-hand man Ebedmelech, and Sarah's Egyptian handmaiden Hagar, are among the many royal Black personalities mentioned in the Bible.
Although evidence on the presence of Blacks in the Bible dates back to the 18th century, only in the past 25 years have Black scholars and ministers made major breakthroughs on a subject that has been practically ignored or suppressed by White religious authorities. Modern research, however, is based on the findings of Black historians like William Leo Hansberry and W.E.B. DuBois, who identified major Black biblical characters more than 50 years ago.
Moreover, some scholars say, it has taken them just as much time to convince Black Americans of their findings.
"Black people have been duped into running from the Bible, thinking it was the White man's book," says the Rev. Walter A. McCray, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Chicago and author of two volumes titled The Black Presence in the Bible. But in fact, Rev. McCray says, "Many notable biblical personalities were Black."
Scholars base their characterizations of biblical figures on a few basic hypotheses set forth, in part, by Dr. Charles B. Copher, professor-emeritus of Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta and a leading authority the historical analysis of Blacks in the Bible. These assumptions are that 1) race was not the social and political issue that it is today, 2) most Bible activity took place in areas historically populated by people of color, such as the near Middle East and Northeast Africa; 3) "blackness" can be determined by scriptural references to skin color, Black ancestry and features characteristic of Black peoples.
Based on this criteria alone, "You'd have to say that the vast majority of peoples referred to in the Bible would have to be classified as Black," Dr. Copher says. Another school of thought holds to the view that only those people belonging to ancient Africa can be identified as Black.
In any case, Black preachers, scholars and historians are determined to establish the presence of Black kings, queens, war leaders and women of the Bible as part of missing links in Black history. "The question isn't where are the Blacks in the Bible," Dr. Felder said during a telephone interview, "but where are the Whites?"
"The information has been there for the reader all along," adds Dr. Renita J. Weems, an Old Testament assistant professor at Vanderbilt University who specializes in biblical hermeneutics. "To the extent that African-American people identify with their African heritage, I think that they can take pride in [the fact] that African people were very much embedded in the founding of the Judeo-Christian traditions."
Although there are differences of emphasis, Black scholars and an increasing of White biblical scholars agree on the eight most widely accepted Black personalities in the Bible:
* The Queen of Sheba. The queen, who visited King Solomon and marveled at his wisdom, was queen of Ethiopia and Egypt. In scripture, she is called "the queen of the South." Scriptures: I Kings 10:1; II Chronicles 9:1; St. Matthew 12:42.
* Zipporah. She was Moses' Cushite wife. It is said that Moses' siblings, Aaron and Miriam, did not like her. Some say it was because of a family spat. Others claim it's because Zipporah, daughter of Jethro, was Black. Scripture: Numbers 12:1.
* Ebed-melech. This Ethiopian eunuch saved the life of Jeremiah, the prophet. Scriptures: Jeremiah 38:7-13; 39:16.
* Ethiopian Eunuch. This unnamed eunuch received a spiritual conversion and a better understanding of the Scriptures after speaking with Philip. Scriptures: Acts 8:26-40.
* Hagar. She was Sarah's Egyptian handmaiden, and she eventually had Abraham's first son, Ishmael. Scriptures: Gen. 16:1,3; 21:9.
* Pharaoh Tirharkah. He was an Ethiopian king. II Kings 19:9.
* Asenath. She was the Egyptian wife of Joseph, given to him by the Pharaoh. Asenath and Joseph had two sons, Manessah and Ephraim. Scriptures: Gen. 41:45.
* Simon of Cyrene. He helped Jesus carry the cross. Cyrene was an ancient city in Libya, Africa. Scriptures: St. Mark 15:21.
In determining the race of biblical characters, religious scholars consider legends, languages, Bible translations and other historical manuscripts. But there is some disagreement.
Although few, if any, believe in the "curse of Ham," which was used as a justification for slavery, some experts, like Dr. McCray of Chicago, maintain that Blacks are indeed descendants of Ham, the youngest of Noah's three sons. Ham -- translated from Hebrew to mean "hot, heated or Black" -- was called the father of Canaan in the Bible.
Canaan, along with Cush (or ancient Ethiopia), Mizraim (early Egypt) and Phut are considered to be Ham's direct offspring.
If this is true, according to Dr. Copher, Dr. Felder and other scholars, at least one book of the Bible was written by a Black man, namely Zephaniah. Called the "son of Cushi," Zephaniah was counted among the minor prophets of the Bible.
In addition to agreeing that Zephaniah was Black, some read King Solomon's lyrical prose in The Songs of Solomon and conclude that he, too, was a Black man and that this song-like book was devoted to his relationship with the Queen of Sheba. In the book's first chapter Solomon's female companion proclaims, "I am black, black, but comely... look not upon me because I am black, because the sun has looked down upon me."
If Solomon, King David's son, was Black, some scholars reason that Jesus Christ himself -- according to the genealogy outlined in the first chapter of St. Matthew -- was Black. Other observers, not as convinced by this logic, just conclude that he was not White.
"Jesus was definitely a person of color. He was not Anglo or White, but that doesn't mean that he was Black either," adds Dr. Weems, who sees the benefit of dialogue on Blacks in the Bible as long as it does not lead to ethnic chauvinism.
And what about the Three Wise Men who carried gifts to Jesus? In fact, the Bible makes no reference to the number of wise men who greeted Jesus and his parents that day. It only states that the wise men were from the east -- east of Bethlehem, that is. And many scholars believe that these "wise men," magicians or the Magi as they are best known, were all from Egypt.
These arguments have whetted the interests of a growing number of Blacks and have prompted the production of several books, and even Bibles, that address the subject.
Black churches are also recognizing the power of physical religious images. Some assemblies, like the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church of Harlem, are discussing the idea of replacing their stained-glass windows and wall paintings, which depict biblical character's as Whites, with multicultural images. Other churches, like Saint Sabina Catholic Church in Chicago and Moore's Chapel A.M.E. Church in St. Petersburg, Fla., have already executed such plans. "It's the height of paradox for Black people to experience as much racism that we do during the week and then to go to our most holy place and see all of these White images of the so-called holy families," Dr. Felder adds. "We want to see more multicultural images and more Black images that are more correct."
Although there is evidence that Blacks were major contributors in ancient, biblical times, religious scholars say the major point is that the Bible depicted a multicultural world. "Whites are in the Bible as Greeks and Romans. Asia is mentioned and so is Hispana," says Howard University's Dr. Felder. "I think it's this rich mosaic of diverse people in the Bible that makes it very compelling."
Posted by: John Harrison | February 19, 2006 at 06:12 PM
here, let me make it simple for all of you which believe there is a black jesus and why there isn't a black jesus.
the world doesn't acknowledge a black jesus for the reason jesus doesn't exist. it was a false religion created by the european, and just like everything else the european brought; it plagued, and it continues. to believe in a black jesus is quite ignorantand to continue and persue this is a waste of time. yes, the world is still racially motivated to supress minorities, but it has nothing to do with black jesus. instead of doing all this and persuing a ghost which you cant see, touch, smell, hear, or taste why don't you acknowledge yourself as a powerful being greater of those that came before you and end the belittlement of your pride?
Posted by: Dorian | March 20, 2006 at 04:37 PM
A muslim point of view...
Jesus didn't have blond hair and blue eyes but also wasn't black. He was semitic. By the way, it does not matter what he looked like. Because he was just a prophet and God sent prophets many times to many different people.
Posted by: Shakir | April 06, 2006 at 02:33 PM
i feel what u are saying all the way and im happy that at the same time u dont sound racist thats good and deep down inside i feel that he is black to but i pray and i hope u pray that if he is white with blue eyes and features of a white man that u still accept him know matter what cause only he knows best but i see what u are saying i mean he could be any color no man alive has saw him so therefore cant nobody say anything he could be arabic he could even be chinese anything remeber thats jesus u talking about his father created all of dis so therefore we all could be wrong but i see what u are saying doe i dont know why whites act like dat that act like they the only race in the world and they really look down on us in detroit so trust me i know and the thing about blacks is that we are willin to accept if jesus is white but white aint and that i dont understand so that makes me think that jesus could be a man of color cause we was always taught that he was white so therfore i know we will love him no matter what but we cant say the samr about the others so u doing the right thing but just keep and open mind hit me back im only 21 and if u saw me im not even gone say dat if a white man saw me they would think i had that must interest in god at all cause i got tattoes all over me and tats of gunz but what they dont know is that i love jesus christ to death and i want to go to heaven and that im only human we all make mistakes but i love jesus so hit me back and let me know what u think
Posted by: kirk harris | April 13, 2006 at 02:39 PM
I have long felt the same about my Lords race,the people of that region still are not blonde and blue eyed(ANY lightness of color came from all the race mixing from all over the globe),when ever you see people in the news from these areas they are people of color. They look like relatives...........THE "WORLD" WILL BE TOLD ALL WHEN JESUS RETURNS TO CLAIN HIS EARTH,I hope they wake up and accept him into their lifes before then.
Posted by: Da'rrell Martin I | May 01, 2006 at 01:32 AM
To be honest, I'm not sure why the question is "Was Jesus black or white?" Jesus was born to Middle Eastern parents in the Middle East. Jesus' apparence was therefore of a Middle Eastern man.
And further more, why does it say all over this site that Jesus is often portrayed as having blond hair and blue eyes? I have not once in my life seen Jesus portrayed as such. Go do a Google image search, you dumb nigger.
Posted by: David Lewis | August 13, 2006 at 10:57 PM
I'm a seventeen years old and i just wanted to let you knoe that this site is the truth i've been looking for, Knew this because if he was born in the middle eastern part of the world around africa, there are no white people and if he was white he wouldn't have ever been executed at the cross, im I right.
The bible states the he was a man of greate bueaty, hair of a sheeps wool (nappy/dreaded) skin of bronze (black man's skin tone). ya feel me u may e-mail back at anytime. thankyou
Posted by: Gregory D. Rowe | February 06, 2007 at 04:41 PM
I am a firm believer that Jesus was not what you are stereotypically calling white, but I am also do not think he was black. Unless you are linking the Arabic race as Black. Yeshua is Jewish; he is the lineage of Israel. The Lineage of Israel is also the descendants of the Arab nation. Yet, I am not blonde hair, and blue eyed. I am from a Mediterranean heritage, and would not consider my self white by those standards as well. The Anglo Jesus is the wrong depiction, and so is yours. Jesus was Jewish as was Moses (who had to disguise himself from his Egyptian Step-father) Thoughts like this ponder in my head, and I know that his physical image is irrelevant. We are all made in God's image; therefore, look at each other as brothers and sisters. I am tired of arguing with people about race. We are all one race; The Human Race. Man of Color by definition. Man of God with many colors. "Of God" is the key phrase. The idea of holding on to the people are afraid is judgmental; whereas, the bible tells us not to judge for there is only one who will lay Judgment. Accountability for my actions yes, Forgiveness yes, but really Judging fear by all? The answer is Jesus was of one race the Human Race, and he will answer all of our questions during the rapture, Armageddon,and our entrance into heaven.
Posted by: Jeremy Sampson | March 07, 2007 at 09:26 AM
Jesus whose True Name in Hebrew is YAHWAYSHI Is, Was, and shall always be, a Black Man. No one can breakdown the holy scriptures like the Hebrew Israelites. Why do you think the slave masters didn't want us to read the Old Testament! They knew the ancient Israelites/ Jews/Prophets of old and their modern day ancestors were and are still BLACK/BROWN today. The Black Jesus Movie was not scriptural because it was based upon christian/pagan (slave master) lies. Just making the Savior Black is not enough. It is truth that makes us free.
Posted by: M. Franklin | April 17, 2007 at 02:51 PM
Jesus whose True Name in Hebrew is YAHWAYSHI Is, Was, and shall always be, a Black Man. No one can breakdown the holy scriptures like the Hebrew Israelites. Why do you think the slave masters didn't want us to read the Old Testament! They knew the ancient Israelites/ Jews/Prophets of old and their modern day ancestors were and are still BLACK/BROWN today. The Black Jesus Movie was not scriptural because it was based upon christian/pagan (slave master) lies. Just making the Savior Black is not enough. It is truth that makes us free.
Posted by: M. Franklin | April 17, 2007 at 02:54 PM
Firstly, compliments on your great site. Im 23 writing from Australia and come from mixed ancestry, my Father would call himself Australian (I would call him Irish as the white settlers have only been in our beautiful country for a quick minute!), my Mother is Filipino/Spanish. While it doesnt matter seeing as though we are talking about complexion mine is what anyone Black would call white, but anyone white in Australia would ask me 'Where do u come from?' hehe. I have the blood of the opressed Filipinos running through me and the blood of the conquering colonialist Spanish running in the same veins.
For me I couldnt say anything other than that Jesus was a strong, man of Colour. He was a man of his times and our times. A worldly figure who has stood the test of time. I dont understand the few comments even arguing his existence and the relevance of Christianity today. All true Religions were revealed to us by God and our various prophets. All Religions that worship ONE GOD, are worshipping the SAME GOD and ONLY TRUE GOD. Once people (and those running the various religious establishment) start recognizing this fact, then boy this will be a more peacefull world to live in!
It is understood by me that Modern Man was born in Africa, through my readings I understand that Ethiopa is believed to be the cradle of civilization, (anyone who is more learned on this please feel free to write to me or correct me on here!) and that from there humankind spread out through the world and in varying climates 'evolved' (not meant to be used in the darwin sense) different features to suit these climates. I dont believe in the notion that many preach (or scientifically try to prove) that all the races started on their own. Spiritually we must all understand that our origins are united and we all originate from the same place.
Relating this back to Jesus, if we are all decended from the one family, then of course Jesus was representative of our whole family. For those who believe Jesus was a 'mere man', than at least acknowledge that he was a Great Man, who stood for and died for what he believed even with sooo many oppurtunities to save himself. He did this for Us. What a perfect example of self sacrifice.
We should all no matter where we are or where we come from, take this example of self sacrifice and use it to better our whole human race. For the majority of those visiting this site, we are already FREE as we have been blessed with knowledge, wisdom and TRUTH. Our job is to spread it worldwide as in todays society, not only as someone claimed in Black culture, but all cultures, our history is something being lost. African history is human history and should be taught to all as 'Our History'. Then of course of even more importance than our Physical History is our Spiritual History where we all truly do come from the ONE SOURCE.
What we do need in this world is intellectual, spiritual, friendly debate on not just this topic but all. So once again love your website and keep up the good work. Im just a student so if anyone could direct me to any websites teaching about early Afrikan spirituality would be most appreciated.
ONE LOVE.
Posted by: JC | May 18, 2007 at 08:03 AM
I think many people are overlooking an important point. Racial groups are just that... racial groups, not regional. Just because Egypt is in Africa does not mean Egyptians are black. Ancient Egyptians themselves thought of the human race as 4 races. Egyptians and nubians were 2 of them, nubians being black, egyptians being... egyptians. It's not as if anyone born in Africa can only be "black." Brown skinned people come from there also. Just like not everyone from Europe is white. Brown skinned people come from Europe too. Pictures of ancient egyptians are created all over the place in temples and tombs. We've all seen the hyroglyphs and murals, egyptians are brown Africans, as opposed to the black Africans in other parts of the continent.
I don't mean to belittle anyone, but come on and pick up a book or turn on the TV. Egyptians aren't negro. They've also been in egypt since forever, so it's not as if people from further north swept in and changed the face of the country. The egyptians of today are the same as the ones in ancient times. They are brown skinned with features typical of mid east people. Logically, mideast people came from egypt, being that it's the gateway to asia and europe from africa. Egyptians are not black skinned with negro features.
Jesus definately wasn't white though, and i've never seen him depicted as an Aryan. Maybe some neo-Nazi propagandists might depict him that way. He would have looked like any other person of mid east descent: brown skin of semite lineage. Saying Jesus was black is just as wrong as saying he's white. Both are disengenuous and both are untrue.
I don't even believe in Jesus, but i believe fair is fair. It's wrong for white people to portray Jesus as white. For the same reasons, it's wrong for black people to portray Jesus as black.
Posted by: D. Fenton | July 24, 2007 at 10:02 PM
Mr. Fenton I appreciate your intelligent, thoughtful, comments. That's the
purpose of this site, to allow for open discussion. I agree that although the Egyptians, thankfully may not have used color and race as a means of defining superiority and privledge, our society does and anywhere else in the world where dark and white skinned people try to coexist. That includes Brazil, Mexico,Cuba, Australia and India where dark skinned people have considerably less opportunity.
As for your statement that Egyptians are not Black skinned with Negro features, that is not true. Although the Discovery and History Channels animated depictions tend to show a lighter version of the ancient Egyptians with pointed noses, the statues carvings and mummies show otherwise.
Since life began in Africa, and Egypt is in Africa, my definition of Black is anything that originates from this continent. History shows that whites did not originate in Africa, they migrated there. Since you stated you believe in 'fair'. Don't you think it's fair that the truth finally be told. Not what we see annually on the cover of Time and Newsweek magazines, as well as the major television networks.
Posted by: C. Johnson | July 25, 2007 at 07:43 AM
Thanks Mr.carles johonson for giving me this opportunity to express my thoughts on this matter. all of life history points to originality, in the bible Rev 1:14-15 it quot His hairs were like wool, and white as snow,and his eyes as a flame of fire,and His feet like unto fine brass,as if they burned in a furnace. Now the prophet john or no man could stand to see GOD's face and live but fell flat on his face and only made record of his hair of wool and feet like brass. God made man in his image and there is only one group of people on earth have this image, are Africans. and for those who have not read Lev 13:25-37 was the first recorded image of a white man.
Posted by: Mr Mondesir | July 27, 2007 at 11:01 PM
I think it is important for the world to know the truth but we all have to remember that it doesn't matter what race Jesus was it's the sacrafices he made for us all that is most important.
Posted by: james | February 02, 2008 at 10:39 AM
I agree with everything you have said, but why is it that some African-Americans choose to just ignore these facts. Maybe partially because they were never taught. I do understand that years ago very few of us had access to these facts.
In response to the comments about Christianity being White man's religion, I agree, however,I also think that even things that are taught in Christianity (the Bible) still teaches you the history of our people. It has just not been taught to you from that perspective. If each Christian read the Book as a history and not a religion, there is much to be learned about African as well as everyone's history by what it said. In my opinion, the reason why it's such a painful discussion to some people is mostly embarassment that they have followed the wrong path all this way, and don't want or care to retrack those steps to correct themselves. I could go on and on. Anyway, I ran across this blog while researching something else. I encourage you to keep up the good work. Someone is listening or reading. God Bless You!
Posted by: debora | February 03, 2008 at 09:57 AM
im overwhelmed by all the unneccessary comments of race and religion. God is and HIS SON JESUS is for everyone people the bible teaches that God created the heavens the earth and all that dwells therin and all belongs to him. we are all creations of God Almighty himself whether you call Him Yahweh, Jehovah, Elshaddi, Elohim, etc.. its refering to the self same creator our Heavenly Father. The bible which teaches Jesus Christ and promotes the christian faith in no wise implies discrimination or superiority of one given race--though the handlers of this scriptural word (preacher,teachers,deacons,priests,scholars,etc.)can comprehend and teach this same scriptural word anyway they see fit so can anyone. people are entitled to believe what they may. God gave everyone the right and freewill to believe and behave in anyway they see fit for themselves eventhough it may not be the right thing to do. The bible teaches that Gods word was given by the inspiration of the HOLY SPIRIT and that Gods word was good for edification, reproof, correction, rebuke and the likes. Gods word is His self help book for people of all nations, religions, races, etc... when God created mankind He gave mankind his own freewill to do whatever and believe whatever he wanted to.but God left the best foolproof blueprint for a productive and successful life for mankind in the form of the HOLY BIBLE. and to anyone that believes that christianity is for white people and their white god is being deceived already by the enemy satan and theirselves. thats why its so important for everyone to establish their own personal relationship with God for themselves. in doing this you will have to put aside everything you have ever been taught and ever heard about God and His son even HIS HOLY SPIRIT and enter into the presence of the most HOLY GOD in prayer, belief and ask for Gods Holy Spirit to be your teacher. this is what i did , and it was through Gods word and belief in His son that i was delivered from depression, suicidal thoughts, adultery, low self esteem, selfishness, alcoholism, premiscouseness, it was through Gods word that i began to see the signs and teachings of oppression and suppression of how we hold our selves back because of ignorance and other slothful behaviors we indulge in. if the white man teaches a blue eyed blonde haired jesus and oppresses you with their own self indulged tactics is that fair to God and Jesus when you take hold onto what others teach instead of finding truth for yourself. the bible was left for everyone to be set free and no longer held captive. the color or nationality of a person does not hold the power of change anyway, in that case if blacks could only feel free and powerful because jesus was black, that means that all the other races will still be captive and the blacks are only free.change comes and happens because of the spirit of the
person and thats why Jesus was so and is so powerful because of the spirit that was within him that was unquestionably the SPIRIT OF GOD. its the power of the spirit that brings about life , change and hope, fullfillment and prosperity, newness of life and unity. Jesus was sent here to bring mankind together and restore mankind back into the original state in which God created them----good(holy,united,loving,caring,giving), and God sent Jesus here to connect us in spirit by the power of His spirit. having the sameness in color, nationality, origin, financial status, sex, and all other catergories brings about exclusions and seperations and this was not Gods intention. we all are the creativity of God different on the outside but the same on the inside. and if we are truly to be called His children we must be recognized by HIS SPIRIT DWELLING ON THE INSIDE OF US. WE MUST NOT FORGET THAT THE BODY WILL DIE AND PERISH AWAY BUT THE SOUL MUST HAVE A ETERNAL RESTING PLACE IN FIRE OR IN PEACE====ITS OUR CHOICE MAKE THE RIGHT ONE TODAY===GIVE GOD YOUR HEART TODAY AND MAKE AN SINCERE EFFORT TO KNOW HIM FOR YOURSELF IF YOU SINCERELY SEEK GOD HE WILL TEACH YOU IN THE RIGHT WAY. GOD IS A SPIRIT AND WE MUST SERVE HIM IN TRUTH AND IN SPIRIT NOT RACE AND NATIONALITY.
Posted by: loretta wright | February 05, 2008 at 12:00 PM
It amazes some of us that white people find it so hard to accept that Blacks were made in the image of our father in heaven. I guess to accept this as truth, they would have to live with the fact of how horrendous they and their past generations have treated blacks for decade and whats awaits them on judgement day according to God's word.
One of the facts scripture gives us about Israel is in regard to their physical appearance. Throughout scripture Israel is described as physically looking like the sons of Ham (Khawm) in appearance.
Ham was one of Noah's three sons, Shem and Japheth were the other two. Noah's descendants repopulated the earth after the Great Flood. Ham's descendants are traced to the families of Africa. Ham (Khawm) in Hebrew means BLACK, HOT AND BURNT.
Ham had four sons....1. CUSH (Ethiopians / Cushites & Nubians),
2. MIZRAIM (Egyptians / Khemet), 3. PHUT (Ancient Somalia),
4. CANAAN (Canaanite, the original inhabitants of the land of Israel) genesis 10:6-19.
All four of Ham's sons and their descendants settled in and around the continent of Africa, this includes the so called Middle East which is also a part of the Continent of Africa. Ham sons are the people of the African continent, the Ancient Egyptians, Ethiopians, Somalia's, Canaanites etc etc.
Posted by: Kai | February 15, 2008 at 06:59 PM
The testimony of the ancients, the scriptures, & many Egyptologists, along with many archeologist have already confirmed that the Egyptians during ancient times were a "BLACK" PEOPLE. This is important to know because.....Jacob sent his ten sons to Egypt to buy bread. When Joseph's ten brothers came into Egypt they were brought before him. Joseph recognized his brothers, but they didn't recognize him (Genesis 42:1-8).
Since the ancient Egyptians were a black people, Joseph had to be black also. If Joseph and the Hebrews looked like Donny Osmond (Donny Osmond protrayed Joseph in a stage Play),his brothers would have recognized him easily among the "black" Egyptians. But Joseph's own flesh and blood brothers thought he was an Egyptian.
Gerald Massey, English writer and author of the book, Egypt the Light of the World, wrote, "The dignity is so ancient that the insignia of the Pharaoh evidently belonged to the time when Egyptians wore nothing but the girdle of the Negro." (p 251)
Sir Richard Francis Burton, a 19th century English explorer, writer and linguist in 1883 wrote to Gerald Massey, "You are quite right about the "AFRICAN" origin of the Egyptians. I have 100 human skulls to prove it."
Scientist, R. T. Prittchett, states in his book The Natural History of Man, "In their complex and many of the complexions and in physical peculiarities the Egyptians were an "AFRICAN" race (p 124-125.
The Ancient Greek historian Herodotus, who visited Egypt in the 5th century B.C.E., saw the Egyptians face to face and described them as black-skinned with woolly hair.
Anthropologist, Count Constatin de Volney (1727-1820),spoke about the race of the Egyptians that produced the Pharaohs....."The ancient Egyptians were true Negroes of the same type as all native born Africans. That being so, we can see how their blood mixed for several centuries with that of the Romans and Greeks, must have lost the intensity of it's original color, while retaining none the less the imprint of it's original mold "
Posted by: Kai | February 15, 2008 at 07:41 PM
After Jacob died in the land of Egypt, all the Hebrews and Egyptians went down to the land of Canaan to bury him (He asked his son to bury him in the land of Canaan with his forefathers ....(Genesis 49:29-30).
Genesis 7:8, states that all the elders of Pharaoh's house and all the elders of the land of Egypt along with all the Hebrews (except for their small children) went down.
Genesis 7:9 says, "It was a very great company." Genesis: 7:11 says, that the Canaanites saw the funeral procession and said "THIS IS A GRIEVOUS MOURNING TO THE EGYPTIANS".
When they describe this great mourning for Jacob the Hebrew, they saw Israelites mourning the greatest, and they thought these Hebrews were Egyptians. Common sense dictates that if the hebrews were a white people they couldn't have possibly been mistaken for Egyptians.
Another fact: ....Moses had the same physical characteristics of Black Egypt. He was raised in the house of Pharaoh, as the grandson of Pharaoh, when Pharaoh ordered all Hebrew males to be killed at birth. If the Israelites were a white-skinned people, how could Moses the Hebrew survive (secretly) in the house of Pharaoh among black-skinned Egyptians for 40 years, and not be noticed.
Another Fact....Moses fled to the land of Midian (located in Saudi Arabia) where he helped seven daughters of the priest of Midian water their flock, after chasing away several bully shepherds. The girls went home to their father, Reuel and told him what happened.
Exodus 2:16... Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.
Exodus2:17.... And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.
Exodus 2:18... And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day?
Exodus 2:19... And they said...... An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock.
Use your common sense and note that the daughters of the priest did not say a Hebrew in Egyptian clothing saved us, they described Moses as an Egyptian...Ancient Egyptians are black-skinned descendant of Ham (Egyptian).
Posted by: Kai | February 15, 2008 at 08:15 PM
More facts you need to know:
Book of Acts 13:1
"Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain PROPHETS AND TEACHERS: as Barnabas, and SIMEON THAT WAS CALLED NIGER, AND LUCIUS OF CYRENE, and Manaen which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Shaul (Paul)".
The word Niger is a Latin word that means BLACK, and Cyrene is a city in Libya, which is located in North Africa. Historians and scholars both agree that the city of Cyrene was a black area, meaning it was heavily populated with black skin-people in "biblical" times. Cyrene is also the place where Simon, the man who helped Yahshuah carry the cross (stake) was from (Matt. 27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26). Simon (the cross bearer) was also "black" man.
Another Biblical Fact.....The Sumerians called themselves "Saggig", which means "black headed ones", because they shaved their heads. The ancient Chaldeans were their cousins.
Yet Another Fact: ......Abraham's father Terah, was a relative of Nimrod. He was a merchant who sold idols in the city of Ur. It's a widely known fact that Nimrod was the son of Cush. Cush is the progenitor of the Nubians / Ethiopians, and the Nubians are a black skinned people. So, this means that Nimrod was also black. Abraham came from this part of the world, which in his day was overwhelmingly populated with black skinned people.
Ancient Egypt was known indigenously as Kemet (Land of the Blacks) The pharaohs and their priests were certainly not Black. The Romans didn’t get to Egypt until 300 BC. We are talking 6000 years before that. There weren’t any white people present before the Rome invasion.
Posted by: Kai | February 15, 2008 at 09:07 PM
LAND OF THE BLACKS–LAND OF THE BIBLE: Ancient Egypt was known indigenously as Kemet (Land of the Blacks).
Africans are the indigenous Native Hebrews (Jews). The greatest secret of Africa has never been told, and Christian Europe has been seeking to conceal for the past two thousand years is the African origin of the concepts, doctrines, sacramental practices of religion, and the documents that became the foundations of Christianity in Europe.
Do a thorough research on the facts below:
The names of Abraham, Isaac, Esau, and Jacob were all derived from African tribal words and names.
The earliest “Hebrew” name for God, Adonai, was derived from an African tribal word
The other name used by blacks for "God" is Yahweh or Yah, this name was derived from an African tribal God
The names of the authors of the Old Testament are actually transposed African tribal names.....Just Do your Research!
Posted by: Kai | February 15, 2008 at 09:40 PM
The idea of a Black, Jewish Jesus meeting Hitler to reject him at the end of times judment makes one smile. If you go to South America, Jesus looks South American. I saw a picture of Jesus in a church in Korea, and Jesus looked Korean. It doesn't surprise me that all the pictures of him in our culture that he looks white. It seems silly that we would even consider that he would be white.
At the very least, if Jesus has to be singled out by Judas in the garden, he couldn't look that different from his disciples. He had to at least look middle eastern, if modern day Arabs are any clue.
It is very probable that all the areas that were invaded by Greece and Rome, even in the middle eastern area, got a bit lighter in race over time. We see when the Moors invaded Spain, that the Spanish became a bit darker, so that is not a radical hypothesis.
So, it is not that strange an idea to consider that Jesus could have been black. I don't see how that's offensive. I'm thankful that a man came around to pay the penalty for my sins. He could have been purple with pink polka dots, but he did the one thing that made my salvation possible.
As far as the Christian religion is concerned, there are quite a few variations out there. There doesn't seem to be much agreement on anything. I don't think you're looking at a conspiracy as much as you are probably seeing entrenched tradition.
You probably see people who are ethnocentric to where they don't look much beyond their little suburban bubble.
I guess my point is, you be you. Live your life as if Jesus was your actual brother and don't let any kind of peer pressure make you stray from what you know to be true. Narrow is the path...
Posted by: Lynn Hadley | February 16, 2008 at 11:33 PM
I found this site while searching for a more logical depiction of Christs likely physical characteristics. There is no real question that He did not resemble the classic portraiture. The picture I see on http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_jcfa.htm, while not being claimed as His actual portrait, is more in line with what I know of the area and time He lived in.
Perhaps there is a social comparison to be made here..... He suffered prejudice at the hands of His own race, likely black. The Romans, whose social makeup included peoples of "white" Hispanic, Greek, Italian and Oriental nationalities. {I'm probably leaving some out} He was despised for where He came from, what He said, for what He represented and for the Truth He spoke. After being beaten with fists clad in iron, whipped to the point where his bones were exposed and He had to be turned so the iron hooks in the leather whip strands had enough flesh to grip and rip asunder, forced to walk from one judicial official to another while bleeding from His wounds, made to carry the wood (which most accounts put at about 200lbs) on which He would have his hands and feet impaled with nails......I can't go on..... after all this torture, while being jeered at, while He died...what was one of the last things He did? He asked His Father to forgive them...all of them... for they knew not what they did. That includes each of you. Every person ever to have lived on this earth. Whatever your perception of Him .....real, not real... prophet, lunatic... He died a death more horrible than most can imagine, willingly...proclaiming himself as the ONLY path to the one true GOD, forgiving his torturers and betrayers.
When anyone propagates any kind of bias based on race, nationality or color, they might as well be one of the people who helped nail Him to that cross.He taught forgiveness and love of your fellow man above all. There is no love or forgiveness in continuing pointed discussions of which race abused which other race. Of who is keeping whom "down". Every human being on this earth can tell a story of misery and woe, of being unfairly treated by another. Perhaps...maybe....we each would be better people if we thought less about who owes who what and more about praying for and forgiving those we have been wronged by. "Christian" or not, the world would be a better place and we would be better people for having done so.
Posted by: Izatech | March 13, 2008 at 08:38 PM
I found this site while searching for a more logical depiction of Christs likely physical characteristics. There is no real question that He did not resemble the classic portraiture. The picture I see on http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_jcfa.htm, while not being claimed as His actual portrait, is more in line with what I know of the area and time He lived in.
Perhaps there is a social comparison to be made here..... He suffered prejudice at the hands of His own race, likely black. The Romans, whose social makeup included peoples of "white" Hispanic, Greek, Italian and Oriental nationalities. {I'm probably leaving some out} He was despised for where He came from, what He said, for what He represented and for the Truth He spoke. After being beaten with fists clad in iron, whipped to the point where his bones were exposed and He had to be turned so the iron hooks in the leather whip strands had enough flesh to grip and rip asunder, forced to walk from one judicial official to another while bleeding from His wounds, made to carry the wood (which most accounts put at about 200lbs) on which He would have his hands and feet impaled with nails......I can't go on..... after all this torture, while being jeered at, while He died...what was one of the last things He did? He asked His Father to forgive them...all of them... for they knew not what they did. That includes each of you. Every person ever to have lived on this earth. Whatever your perception of Him .....real, not real... prophet, lunatic... He died a death more horrible than most can imagine, willingly...proclaiming himself as the ONLY path to the one true GOD, forgiving his torturers and betrayers.
When anyone propagates any kind of bias based on race creed or color, they might as well be one of the people who helped nail Him to that cross.He taught forgiveness and love of your fellow man above all. There is no love or forgiveness in continuing pointed discussions of which race abused which other race. Of who is keeping whom "down". Every human being on this earth can tell a story of misery and woe, of being unfairly treated by another. Perhaps...maybe....we each would be better people if we thought less about who owes who what and more about praying for and forgiving those we have been wronged by. "Christian" or not, the world would be a better place and we would be better people for having done so.
Posted by: Izatech | March 13, 2008 at 08:45 PM
Whether Jesus was black or white sounds like trivial matters, and individuals who raise such questions seem a distance from discovering the idea purpose of Christianity.
Theres nothing wrong with asking questions, but your position may be easily spotted.
I like Islam's rules of not depicting any human figures, unlike mainstream Christianity.
P.S. on another topic, I think its a bad idea for African communities be spoken of as being black...Its an insult, study ya prefixes and roots in latin terminology, and no latins not dead its the glue that holds the common meanings and definitions of english words. But I guess, words shouldnt offend anyone.
Posted by: BP | May 07, 2008 at 01:24 AM
I am not a religious person, I never have been but I do believe in a higher power and I am not arrogant enough to assume that I a mere mortal can understand that power, why? How could we as mere humans even comprehend such a power/force?
As to the argument was Jesus a black man? Well I would have to say “yes he was” and yes I am a white man. Anyone who is open and understanding can see this. Historical fact is there for all to see and understand, if they want to understand that is. Only a bigoted person would discount the facts of the regional ethnicity of that time.
I am white and yes most of the biblical characters portrayed in the bible where black, am I upset or disturbed about this “NO” of course not at the end of the day the message is still the same “treat everyone with the same amount of respect that you would expect for yourself”.
David
Posted by: David | August 31, 2008 at 12:37 PM
they hate ur becuase we have a special gift a spirit tht they cant comprehend or understand so they replace the glory which is rightousness to a bordom dead religion which is world wide dominion and oppress ur becuase they dont want us to tap into our spirit i say these things because i bare the arm or god the shade in my rite hand and the mark in the bosom area and i know my spirit and my glory
Posted by: shane | September 03, 2008 at 10:47 AM
First, before I speak, I'm letting you know I am a Caucasian male. This doesn't make me the least bit biased though, about 1/2 of my family is black, as is the band i perform with. I would like to say though that neither the white Europeans who first depicted Christ or you yourself are right. If you have ever read the bible, you would know that Christ was a JEW. Our holy book blatantly says this. It is proven that most events documented in the Bible occurred in what is modern day Israel, Iraq, and the surrounding area. This says to me that our Savior would have looked more like a Middle- Eastern man than what he is usually portrayed as or what you claim him to be.
Posted by: Ricky | September 05, 2008 at 11:09 AM