I have been thinking about a lot of things abstractly lately. One of the things that has been on the contemplation circuit is whether or not the 5% Nation of Gods and Earths is a religion, rather than just a culture. The quick answer is no. We do not advocate the belief in a mystery god (10:40) therefore we cannot be a religion. Is that all to religion and religiousness? We do have a document (SM, SA, 120), a symbol (flag) and a song and a method that we use to conduct ourselves. We have God. We have practices. But there is no governing body, or National spokesperson. Just a bunch of strange acting Negroes, with strange names, who will give you the fisheye when you eat a pig ear sandwich.
But are we a religion? I have perused a few definitions of ‘religion’ and a lot of the definitions can be applied to us…
But are we a religion? I have perused a few definitions of ‘religion’ and a lot of the definitions can be applied to us…
A religion is an organized approach to human spirituality which usually encompasses a set of narratives, symbols, beliefs and practices, often with a supernatural or transcendent quality, that give meaning to the practitioner's experiences of life through reference to a higher power, God or gods, or ultimate truth It may be expressed through prayer, ritual, meditation, music and art, among other things
The term "religion" refers to both the personal practices related to communal faith and to group rituals and communication stemming from shared conviction. "Religion" is sometimes used interchangeably with "faith" or "belief system," but it is more socially defined than personal convictions, and it entails specific behaviors, respectively.
A lot of what is said above is applicable to our Nation. All with the exception of belief, spirituality and mystery god-ness. Does that make us a religion?
When y’all build with the 85%, 10% or devil; do you say that this Culture is a religion? I know folks would say, “Emphatically Now Cipher!” But listen… Say you are a female and your boss is a devil and has no knowledge of our Nation and customs. The boss has no knowledge that s/he is a devil. You really want to be the person telling them that? They hold your financial future in their hands. Say you have a very public job like a college professor. Are you going to stand in front of your class or you colleagues wearing a wrap or crown? Or do you just want to be free to follow your Culture as you see fit? I ask this because I deal with this. My boss didn’t ask right away why I stopped wearing make up and started covering my head. I took the “don’t ask, don’t tell” route. He got bold enough to ask questions around Christmas. I mentioned that I no longer celebrated Christmas and didn’t elaborate on why. He assumed that I converted to Islam. Again, I said nothing. He keeps asking questions here and there. The reason he doesn’t come out and ask his questions is because he can’t. In this country we allegedly have religious freedom. And this is also why I don’t come right out and tell him. But what we live is a Culture is not a religion. Technically, he could let me go for the changes I’ve made to Self. If I got a tattoo on my forehead he could let me go for that and any other perceived drastic changes to my appearance. But I allow him and all my other co-workers to think that I have had this religious conversion. Am I in violation of the 11-14?
Lots of religions are Cultures as well as religions. Jews are not just a religion but also a Culture. They have a way that they live and they force those that co-exist in their ciphers to recognize it. So do Muslims. The outsider has to deal with their restrictions. But what about us? I have found that a lot of us can be loud on that 4th Sunday afternoon, but come Monday morning we are mealy mouthed. Do we make folks in our ciphers deal with us on our levels? Do we allow our parents to have access to our children when we know they will give them a hot dog? Do we accept and give Christmas presents? Do we let our children go to religious private schools? Do we insist that our young moons cover their heads? Do we maintain 3/4th ALL the time? Do you see women who call themselves ‘Earths’ with perms and makeup and say nothing? Will you go to church with Mama and 'nem on Easter and family reunions? Do you know Gods with babies who know nothing of this Culture who are active in the cipher and we say nothing to them? What about Gods that do not take care of their babies? Do you always read the labels? Will there blood be required at thine hand? Are you 100% sure you are shining/reflecting right and exact?
I say all this, for you to ask yourself as I constantly ask myself, what is my level of righteousness? Am I/Are you willing to deceive others so I/you can be comfortable? Does discussing the particulars of this Nation make you uncomfortable? How much are you willing to share with the devil? Or will you just give an answer that makes everyone happy even if it’s not quite the truth?
At the end of the day, I’m sticking with the short answer. NO. But that’s easy for me. My cipher is easily controlled with very few surprises. My boss is easily confused, my family lives far away from me, I have no children and my friends are in check. What about other Gods and Earths whose lives are more convoluted? Do they take the religion pass? I’m curious….
Peace
PS: Sorry I couldn't get this formatted just the way I wanted it
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4 comments:
Let me get back to you on this.
Peace to the Earth,
FYI, we have at least one "National Representative of the Nation of Gods and Earths." His name is Dumar Wade Allah. We also have regional representatives. You would do well to find out who they are in your area.
Be mindful to do your research before making statements in a public medium, people may take on face value as right and exact. ;-)
Also, Allah's Nation faces daily obstacles regarding our right to assemble and expression, especially in the belly. As we continue to grow it will be people like us who get the language "Culture" manifested into law so that not only "religion" is the accepted word for certain freedoms.
Peace
Precise Infinite Peace Allah
@Precise.... I stand corrected. That makes it sound more like a religion doesn't it?
Peace Earth,
I usually go to the knowledge degree in the 1-10 in terms of originality on questions of this sort. The individual is the best knower of how to manifest this to others in their original cipher. I can't tell another person how or when they should tell others what they deal with. My ole' Earth and my immediate family know what I'm dealin' with as do many of my friends although there are some that don't. Not so much because I conceal it from them, it's just that if we are not frequently sharing social equality then I will wait until it comes up.
As far as the justice, I keep that to self as far as my boss goes. He's a devil self cipher I'm certainly not going to engage him in this sort of a conversation. We can talk about what "should" be in terms of our nation enjoying the same "freedoms" as religions b.u.t. the fact of the matter is we don't. Also you make some valid points relative to the similarities between what we deal with and religion. Draw up the parallels: 120-Bible, Parliaments on the last Sunday of the Month-Church service on Sundays, Show and Prove in Mecca-Muslim Pilgrimage to Mecca. I'm not saying that we are a religion because we are not b.u.t. we can't honestly say there aren't similarities. That calls to mind the whole question of whether or not we deal with Islam and if so how? Although Gods and Earths get pissed when they are confused with Muslims, because we are not, we do deal with Islam just not in the same fashion as Muslims. I make the distinctions for people b.u.t. I don't get all bent out of shape over it. I just make knowledge born and keep it movin'.
Peace
SupremeVictoryAllah
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