What Frederick Douglass thinks about religion
American abolitionist and writer (about 1817 to 1895); born into slavery, escaped in 1838 and became a principal leader and spokesperson of the abolition movement; author of three autobiographies.
Frederick Douglass did not write this page.
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Only Frederick Douglass on religion. See everyone on religion
5 dated positions, c. 1845 to 1852, in their own words. Our reading of what Frederick Douglass has said — not written or endorsed by them.
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Our readingWhat is inhuman cannot be divine
Their wordsThat which is inhuman cannot be divine.
↗My Bondage and My Freedom (1855)gutenberg.org All 8 from this book
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Their wordsLet the religious press, the pulpit, the Sunday school, the conference meeting, the great ecclesiastical, missionary, Bible and tract associations of the land array their immense powers against slavery and slave-holding; and the whole system of crime and blood would be scattered to the winds; and that they do not do this involves them in the most awful responsibility of which the mind can conceive.
↗What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July? (Rochester, 5 July 1852)en.wikisource.org All 18 from this book
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Their wordsI assert most unhesitatingly, that the religion of the south is a mere covering for the most horrid crimes,—a justifier of the most appalling barbarity,—a sanctifier of the most hateful frauds,—and a dark shelter under, which the darkest, foulest, grossest, and most infernal deeds of slaveholders find the strongest protection.
↗Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (1845)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book
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Their wordsFor of all slaveholders with whom I have ever met, religious slaveholders are the worst. I have ever found them the meanest and basest, the most cruel and cowardly, of all others.
↗Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (1845)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book
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Their wordsIndeed, I can see no reason, but the most deceitful one, for calling the religion of this land Christianity. I look upon it as the climax of all misnomers, the boldest of all frauds, and the grossest of all libels.
↗Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (1845)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book