While experts refer to the U.S. as a highly religious nation, the Pew Forum U.S. Religious Landscape Survey discovered African-Americans are more religious on a variety of levels including attendance at religious services and frequency in prayer, than other racial groups.
According to the survey, 78 percent of African-Americans consider themselves Protestant, this including historically Black churches; while one percent are Muslim and less than one percent are Jewish.
Local residents Tysha Ahmad and Chris Moore are African-Americans who practice a religion other than Christianity. Ahmad was born into the faith of Islam while Moore recently converted to Judaism after exploring the religious world.
Ahmad said her parents converted to Islam years ago and were in the Nation of Islam before her birth. Being Muslim presented its challenges as a child but she never thought of converting to another faith.
“Growing up, it always seems as if your situation is horrible,” laughs Ahmad. “I didn’t want to practice another religion, I just wanted to do some of the things other people were doing. When becoming a young adult I learned that what my parents were showing me was best for me. All kids go through the ‘I want to do it my way’ phase but when you get out into the world, you find out there was a little truth to previous lessons.”
She remembers disagreements between her and her parents pertaining to dress. Although she draped herself in scarves and cultural clothing often, she notes she wasn’t forced to.
Dating was another thing she experienced different than her friends.
“In our faith you don’t date because it’s referred to as courting,” commented Ahmad. “The purpose of entertaining a conversation with another person is to pursue marriage.”
Moore had a different experience due to the fact he converted to Judaism a few years ago.
“I have been learning (Judaism) since I was in my early teenage years, but began to practice seriously my sophomore year of college,” he said.
Moore notes that his mother began practicing Judaism shortly after he did and currently he only has a few family members that have converted. He recalls the only faiths he’s ever aligned with were Judaism and Islam but after exploring Islam, he ultimately decided to practice Hebrew traditions.
“I would consider myself very involved (in my religion). I celebrate every historical holiday of my people and observe the tenants of the Torah and Tanahk when it comes to family, diet, and how to treat mankind,” he said.
Both Ahmad and Moore have different experiences when it comes to how they are perceived by other African-Americans.
“Many are confused or even baffled by the fact that I am a ‘Black Jew.’ I always challenge these people to look deeper into their history and they will find there are many tribes in Africa who have been observing the Torah for thousands of years,” he said.
Moore said he often gets questions about if his locs (hair) have anything to do with his faith by many who appreciate his diversity.
Ahmad believes it’s easier for people to embrace one being Muslim and African-American.
“Due to all of the things going on in the world, people associated being Muslim with being Middle Eastern and people may become suspicious. Being African-American, people don’t question you as much,” she said. “I have never been treated harshly by anyone. I notice how people treat me when I don’t cover and when I do, I get more respect.”
Ahmad and Moore are both parents and will encourage their children to see the faith they have chosen but also want them to have freedom to choose for themselves.
“My daughter’s first and middle name are Hebrew and have a deep meaning for what we hope her character and personality to be,” commented Moore. “She must always know being Jewish isn’t just a belief, it is also a heritage and culture she was blessed to be born into.”
