The concept of perfection can never actually be attained, as our world creates inherent deviations. Even though some concepts like communism sound workable in theory, the real-world application yields a far less desirable outcome because it comes into conflict with the force of human nature. Disconcerting tendencies within human behavior manifest themselves in several different ways, and Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Linda Brent explores the institution of American slavery as an influence that muddles notions of societal morality. Racism exhibited through slavery showed the potential for using exploitive tendencies towards others for the take of personal gain, and people used economic and religious justifications despite the integrity
…show more content…
One of the intended purposes of religion itself is to provide people with a moral compass to live life. However, from the point of view of a slave, even though religion supposedly “had a purifying effect on the character of men; but the worst persecutions I endured from him were after he was a communicant” (71). For people who were constantly put on an unequal plane, seeing Christianity as a theology that promoted equality could only possibly be evoked from indoctrination rather than an actual broad perspective. Unfortunately, for the enslaved the only logical conclusion is “there was no justice or mercy in the divine government. I asked why the curse of slavery was permitted to exist, and why I had been so persecuted and wronged from youth upward” (113). Essentially, Christianity practiced in the South during the times of slavery represented an unclear version of the religion. Later, once Linda rids herself of slavery, she is able to view Christianity in a light different from the beliefs practiced by misguided bigots. Instead, she begins to see “The beauty of his daily life inspired me with faith in the genuineness of Christian professions. Grace entered my heart, and I knelt at the communion table, I trust, in true humility of soul” (168). Slaves were stripped of their objective view of reality, and by extension the ability to truly engage in religious thinking as free people had the opportunity to. While Christianity initially represented the intention to unite all people under values of love and equality, slavery undermined these beliefs and replaced it with an institution that ruined the lives of
One of the intended purposes of religion itself is to provide people with a moral compass to live life. However, from the point of view of a slave, even though religion supposedly “had a purifying effect on the character of men; but the worst persecutions I endured from him were after he was a communicant” (71). For people who were constantly put on an unequal plane, seeing Christianity as a theology that promoted equality could only possibly be evoked from indoctrination rather than an actual broad perspective. Unfortunately, for the enslaved the only logical conclusion is “there was no justice or mercy in the divine government. I asked why the curse of slavery was permitted to exist, and why I had been so persecuted and wronged from youth upward” (113). Essentially, Christianity practiced in the South during the times of slavery represented an unclear version of the religion. Later, once Linda rids herself of slavery, she is able to view Christianity in a light different from the beliefs practiced by misguided bigots. Instead, she begins to see “The beauty of his daily life inspired me with faith in the genuineness of Christian professions. Grace entered my heart, and I knelt at the communion table, I trust, in true humility of soul” (168). Slaves were stripped of their objective view of reality, and by extension the ability to truly engage in religious thinking as free people had the opportunity to. While Christianity initially represented the intention to unite all people under values of love and equality, slavery undermined these beliefs and replaced it with an institution that ruined the lives of