In this powerful and deeply thought-provoking breakdown, we confront the painful and often suppressed reality of how Christianity, particularly as it was weaponized during slavery and colonialism, has contributed to the continued psychological oppression of Black people. By unpacking the concept of Black suffering being framed as God’s mercy, we explore how internalized oppression has embedded itself within the collective Black psyche and how confronting this trauma is essential to healing and breaking the chains of self-loathing.

1. Christianity as Psychological Warfare During Slavery and Colonialism

The framing of slavery as “God’s mercy” was not simply a religious viewpoint—it was a strategic tool used by colonizers and enslavers to manipulate and control the enslaved. By intertwining religion with the institution of slavery, the oppressive system made it easier to justify the inhumane treatment of Black people. Christianity, as it was presented to enslaved Africans, became a mechanism for subjugation. It taught them to accept their suffering as part of a divine plan, thus absolving their oppressors of any moral guilt while reinforcing the enslaved people’s victimhood.

Deeper Analysis:
This psychological warfare went beyond merely controlling behavior—it was a direct attack on the identity of Black people. By preaching that Blackness itself was tied to sin and that their suffering was somehow ordained by God, the institution of slavery embedded shame and self-hatred deep within the oppressed. This created a mental framework where Black people internalized their victimization, unable to see themselves as deserving of anything more than their suffering. The idea that their pain was a virtue tied them to their abusers, feeding the cycle of oppression and making it harder for future generations to break free.

2. The Internalization of Oppression: Trauma Bonding and Stockholm Syndrome

The relationship between enslaved Black people and their oppressors can be seen through the lens of trauma bonding—a psychological phenomenon where victims become emotionally attached to their abusers as a survival mechanism. In the context of slavery, this attachment was reinforced by the teachings of Christianity that portrayed suffering as virtuous. The enslaved learned to equate pain with redemption, creating an unhealthy attachment to the very system that dehumanized them.

Deeper Analysis:
This trauma bonding is further complicated by the internalized oppression that comes with Stockholm Syndrome, where the oppressed begin to sympathize with and adopt the ideologies of their oppressors. The emotional attachment to Christianity, as a tool of the oppressor, perpetuates self-loathing. In this context, Black people began to see their identity as inherently sinful, and suffering became something to endure for the promise of spiritual salvation rather than something to fight against for liberation. This twisted attachment to religious ideology not only perpetuates generational trauma but also discourages the pursuit of self-empowerment and healing.

3. The Fallacy of ‘Twisted Christianity’ and the Need for Healing

A common argument in contemporary discussions is that the version of Christianity used to enslave Black people was a corrupt interpretation of Christ’s teachings. While this may hold some truth in the way Christianity was manipulated to oppress, it is also important to acknowledge that the very structure of religious theology—regardless of its “progressive” form—can still be inherently toxic. Christianity, when detached from its historical context of colonialism and slavery, still carries the weight of these legacies.

Deeper Analysis:
The teachings of Jesus, particularly when viewed through the lens of liberation theology, can be deeply empowering. However, for many Black people, Christianity has become a symbol of submission rather than resistance, of suffering rather than freedom. The uncritical acceptance of Christian doctrine, particularly in its relationship with the history of slavery and colonialism, perpetuates the internalization of oppression. Progressivism within Christianity may offer a kinder framework, but it still operates within a religious system that has historically been used to justify Black subjugation.

4. The Super-Ego and the Moral Imperative of Oppression

Drawing on the concept of the Super-Ego from psychoanalytic theory, we understand how societal authority figures—be they slaveowners, colonial powers, or religious leaders—impose moral imperatives on marginalized people. These moral imperatives become internalized in the psyche of the oppressed, creating a voice that dictates what is right and wrong. This internalized voice is often shaped by the narratives that perpetuate Black inferiority and suffering.

Deeper Analysis:
The internalized voice of oppression—the Super-Ego—forces marginalized people to view themselves through the lens of societal authority. In the case of Black people, this voice is shaped by generations of religious and racial ideologies that enforce ideas of Blackness as sinful or undeserving of liberation. The pressure to accept suffering as a moral virtue distorts the natural desire for justice and equality, teaching that Black pain is somehow righteous. The internalized guilt and shame that comes with this teaching further entrenches a system where Black people remain silent, obedient, and unhealed.

5. Breaking the Cycle: The Need for Therapy and Self-Liberation

In this context, therapy and conscious healing become not only necessary but crucial. To truly break free from the bonds of religious and racial trauma, it is essential to confront the internalized narratives that have been passed down through generations. Therapy provides a space to confront the subconscious absorption of oppressive ideologies and to rebuild a healthier relationship with both oneself and the world.

Deeper Analysis:
The cycle of oppression can only be broken when Black people begin to question and reclaim their humanity, free from the oppressive ideologies that have shaped their understanding of themselves. Therapy offers a path to understanding how these beliefs were absorbed, while also providing tools to deconstruct them. By reconnecting with one’s humanity and embracing healing processes that don’t rely on external religious validation, Black people can begin to untangle the webs of self-loathing and internalized racism. Therapy offers a means to reconcile with one’s identity and to heal from the trauma of both past and present.

6. Reclaiming Humanity and Rejecting the Lie of Suffering as Virtue

In the final analysis, the fight for liberation isn’t just about dismantling external systems of oppression—it is also about internal liberation. The true path to freedom lies in rejecting the notion that suffering is somehow divine or virtuous. It lies in affirming that to be human is enough, and that our worth does not come from enduring pain, but from recognizing and embracing our full humanity.

Deeper Analysis:
The addiction to Christianity and its teachings, when viewed through the lens of colonialism and slavery, has held Black people in a cycle of internalized oppression. It is crucial for Black people to reclaim their humanity and reject the religious ideologies that have been used to suppress them. True liberation comes from within—by healing the mind, body, and spirit through self-empowerment and self-love, we can break free from the chains of generational trauma.

Conclusion: Confronting the Wounds and Seeking Liberation

The message is clear: to be human is enough. The trauma we have inherited through the centuries of oppression needs to be confronted, healed, and dismantled. Therapy is a necessary step in this process, but so is the internal revolution that says no to the narratives of shame, suffering, and self-loathing. The time has come to reject the lies that have bound us and to embrace the humanity that has always been ours. The true path to freedom lies not in spiritual submission to suffering, but in the radical act of loving ourselves as we are—human, whole, and worthy of liberation.