Black Baptists? Are you kidding me?

Why is it that Blacks living in the United States adopted the religion of their slave masters? And to this day, continue to worship the God of the Abrahamists? I'm not only talking about the Black Baptists mentioned in this article's title. There were Blacks sold into slavery by Arab slave traders, so embracing Islam seems to be yet another form of acknowledging the supremacy of the conqueror. Not to pick on US Blacks, I note that a lot of Japanese converted to the religion of the conqueror when they lost World War II.

I further note: Might doesn't make right, but that point is lost on most people.

I'm sure various Black communities in the South found solidarity and mutual support to be uplifting as they suffered under Jim Crow laws. As they say, "Any port in the storm." But surely they had to be aware that they could not set foot in any of the Christian churches attended by whites. And they bore witness to how white churches close to their communities did not support them in their struggle for civil rights in the 1960's. Jesus might indeed have been willing to save them, but their white "brothers" in faith didn't lift a finger. Some of these "brothers" rode with the Ku Klux Klan on Saturday night, only to put on a suit and tie to attend church services the next day.

I guess people need hope so desperately, they're willing to overlook a great deal of bad history and sin. These days, a lot of poor and struggling middle class folk are easily swayed by smooth talkers who preach, "God wants you to be rich." That pitch is aimed at Blacks and Whites alike, so at least color knows no barriers in that regard. The truth? God wants you to be holy, to be so filled with goodness that you no longer care about such worldly things as the accumulation of vast wealth.

But there is a greater truth: The God of the Abrahamists (you know, the One who said, "I am an angry God"), is only one of untold trillions of gods throughout the universe who want to someday elevate themselves above their mere godly status so that they can become fully-enlightened Buddhas. Which is the highest possible goal.

But most US blacks haven't heard of this. Maybe the lack of millionaire Buddhist televangelists is at fault for failing to reach out to the Black community. Or maybe Blacks are attracted to prosperity Buddhism as they would be to prosperity Christianity. In any event, Buddhism is a hard sell in this primarily Christian and materialistic country. But if you are a member of a Christian denomination, I want you to think about a couple of things:

• Can you name even one individual who emerged as a leader in his own right from Joel Olsteen's or Creflo Dollar's megachurches? Don't we overly emphasize charismatic leaders who we know as household names but who treat their congregants as being worthy only of contributing to the collection plate? And there's always a collection plate, isn't there?

• If you believe God created the universe, there's a problem. Before the Creation, all was perfect since only God existed. After the Creation, there was God and there were the things God created. These "things" God called "good." But as good as they were, they lacked the perfection of God Himself simply because they weren't God. So, due to God's decision to create, the universe became less pure. Not to mention that sin emerged. That wouldn't have happened if God hadn't created anything. If He'd left well enough alone (that is, didn't do the Creation thing), the universe would have contained only God and would have remained perfect. So you could conclude that the act of creation was God's original sin.

• It's just as easy to say, there's a God who was uncreated and has always been as it is to say, the universe was uncreated and has always been. If you embrace the latter view, it's not necessary to invent a God the Creator.

• So you think Jesus died for your sins? That is, someone other than yourself can act on your behalf? Suppose someone walked up to you and said, "Let me make love to your wife. It will be the same as if you made love to her, but only if you believe it will be the same." Could you really believe such an outlandish claim? The claim that Jesus (or anyone or thing else) can save you is equally outlandish.

I offer,.free of charge, access to a link that contains essays I've written over the last three years that will challenge your current beliefs and invite you to think for yourself. This link is a haven for those who are suspicious of traditional brick-and-mortar churches, or are dissatisfied with what their owners have to offer.

Think about what I am offering:

"I am a member of a sect that has exactly one member - that would be me, and has only one leader - that would be me. I'm not recruiting members for this sect, though I welcome dialogue, and I don't want your fucking money. In fact, I encourage each of you to establish such a sect in your own name."

Here's the link I mentioned above:  LotusSutraChampions.blogspot.com

As for starting your own Buddhist practice, here's my advice:

Set aside 30 minutes every day to:

• Close your eyes and meditate in silence, while trying not to think about anything;

• Chant these words repeatedly: "Lotus, Buddha, Samgha."

• Read out loud from an English-language translation of the Lotus Sutra, which the Buddha claims is the highest teaching of all the buddhas in the universe.

• Talk to others about the insights you gain and the questions that arise in your mind. I offer, again free of charge, my ears to hear you out. But it doesn't have to be me. The link above provides my contact information and a chance for you to comment on the essays I've posted.

These points are my personal recommendations, which others might find fault with. But you've got to start somewhere and you'll find this approach will open doors for you and prove to be richly rewarding.

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Steven Searle, just another member of the

Virtual Samgha of the Lotus and

Former Candidate for US President (2008 & 2012)

Contact me at bpa_cinc@yahoo.com