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My husband and I recently had a date night where we decided to see a documentary that was showcased at the Porter Sanford Arts and Community Center on Rainbow Drive in Decatur entitled "Contradiction", authored by Jeremiah Camara. It was quite an experience as one could tell that the audience was filled with "truth seekers", "critical thinkers" and somewhat "liberal minded" individuals, which the nature of the film almost demanded that level of open-mindedness due to its controversial nature. The film featured individuals such as Martin Luther King III, singer Anthony David and Dr. Ray Hagins. The film basically highlighted the disconnect that exists between the black church's practice of "overchurching" and the lack of economical progression in black communities. It was indeed a different angle that incorporated ideas and theories surrounding creationism, atheism, poverty, corruption in the church and false prophet leaders of the church. The film indelibly planted seeds of enlightenment and forced those that weren't already aware to take into consideration the business-like nature of the church and how it is possibly retarding the financial growth within poor communities.
For devout christian followers, the film might actually stir conflicting emotions because the documentary questions the rationale behind faith, beliefs and practices involved in the Christian religion. At one point in the film, the question was raised concerning the significance of the blood shed by Christ who died for our sins and the blood shed by slaves and African Americans who were slaughtered mercilessly for our freedom from slavery, segregation and oppression. The consistent answer given by Christians throughout the film was the blood of Jesus was more significant, which showed the unwavering loyalty black Christians possessed towards their faith and beliefs.
The film raised other important points such as the potential benefits that could possibly arise from leaders of churches, using their platform on Sundays, a time when many black individuals are actually in church worshiping for hours, as an opportunity to educate black people on economic principles that could lead to economical development and progress within communities. In fact, the film proposed that this may actually be the better alternative in contrast to what the church actually does, which is to hype the members on the notion that we should not worry about the future because God will take care of it, which possibly leads to a lack of pro-activeness that does not foster a sense of financial independence and sustainability. The film heralded the Marxist concept of religion being an opium of the people, allowing them to forget the deplorable conditions that they exist in by concentration on the illusions, promises and "feel good messages" of the church. What makes this point even more viable is the film's allusion to the techniques that church leaders use to deliver this "feel good/terror message" that either places the members into a form of psychological trance or hypnosis or the opposite, terrifies them into submission. Ultimately resulting in the members giving their money to these pastors in the form of "tithes and offerings" and time in the form of "praise".
While the film touched on beliefs that contradicts the christian beliefs such as the big bang theory, and the theory of evolution, as a spiritual person and not necessarily religious person, I embraced those parts of the film with a grain of salt, as I believe that science is constantly evolving and changing and does not adequately explain many phenomenons that occur on this earth. Sometimes, they are personal undocumented experiences that science could never study. However, I would have to say that I believe that ninety-seven percent of the film was relevant, significant and accurately portrayed.
I would encourage people within the black community world-wide, not just in the African American community to view this film if possible and open their minds to the message of the film. In so doing, we might open our eyes to the ills and agendas of the church that are hidden in the "feel good message" that are being conveyed to the congregation religiously (no pun intended) and ought to be addressed among ourselves. We need to ask ourselves the question, what is the end results of the money that we donate to these churches? Are they giving back to the community and the people? Or is it being pocketed for personal gains? What is the end result of the time that we donate to churches, is it more beneficial to sit in church for hours focused on one person standing at the pulpit that may just be scamming you out of your time and/or money, or is it more beneficial to go out into the communities and do volunteer work to uplift the poor and struggling members within the community, through education, rebuilding community and various forms of assistance. We need to ask ourselves, how can we transform our churches into a place of not only spiritual growth, but also educational and financial growth that can lead to community development and advancement? These are relevant and critical questions that could be the difference between the continuous state of poverty within the black communities or the economical growth within the black community. This is exactly why I believe this film can act as a mental antidote or vaccine and is worthy of attention from the black community on a mass scale.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T30Ekq6bND4
