The African American religious societies are recognized for their contribution of making the current United States. According to the history of America, the African American religion has lived like a refuge in a very harsh white society. However, no matter how harshly they were treated, they remained as a cultural identity and a show of resistance in a white occupied society (Wuthnow, 2008). The social condition of black people is openly portrayed through the religion that they practice. According to the research done by several scholars, it is evident that, African American religion revives the African religion in a more diversified manner.
The practice of African American religion has led to a mixture of religious cultural practices of African and European, American elements. The African American religious people have a history of handling the needs of their fellow Christians. It is evident of how these people suffered in the hands of the whites. The struggle that they encountered in the form of oppression, being mistreated, and above all being discriminated gives the church a great role to these people. It was proofed that, the African American ministers and the entire church congregation, had a great role of preparing for both natural and man-made disasters (Wuthnow, 2008). In case of such occurrences, the church leaders, were always ready on how to assist the victims at local, state, and federal ranks. They believed to have the solution for their people. In case of natural, or man-made disaster the victims solely relied on these communities. The African American leaders used to interact with non-profit organizations during the hardships, and even after the incidences to give a positive response to the victims. It was also their responsibility to source for public health services, for those victims, who may require medical attention.
The faith-based organizations of African American had also a great role of taking care of the spiritual needs of the victims. As much as they were provided with physical care, the victims also required spiritual support as part of their recovery process. Emotional support was also very crucial to the victims, and this was expected from the leaders of African American churches (Overacker, 2006). These communities struggled to convince the white that, everyone was serving the same God, whether a white or a black Christian. Through the efforts of these communities, the entire society of United States of America managed to understand the love of God to every human being despite the skin color. The importance of humanity in United States was highly promoted by these African American communities, through their services to their fellow Christians. They offered services to all, showing much love to the entire society, something that is practiced up to date.
References
Overacker, I. (2006). The African American church community in Rochester. New York: University Rochester Press.
Wuthnow, R. (2008). America and the challenge of religious diversity. Michigan: Princeton University Press.