Spiritual Baptist
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The Spiritual Baptists (Shouter Baptist, or Tie-head) faith is an Afro-Caribbean syncretic religion which combines elements of traditional West African religions with Christianity. The Spiritual Baptist faith originated in St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Despite the African influences, Spiritual Baptists consider themselves to be Christians. The Baptist faith was brought to Trinidad by the "Merikins", former American slaves who were recruited by the British to fight for them during the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. After the end of these wars, the ex-slaves were settled in remote areas of Trinidad.[citation needed]
This religion contains both elements of Protestant Christianity and many African rituals and beliefs. This religion is not unique to St. Vincent & the Grenadines. In many other Caribbean islands, such as Trinidad & Tobago, this religion is practiced.
The name Shouter derives from the fact that when the Baptists "catch the Spirit," they clap and shout, making a loud noise that, especially during open air services, some in the general public may object to. "Shouter" is seen as a derogatory term by many modern day Baptists on the island, seeing as it was first originally imposed upon them by the mainstream, the British colonial government.
The faith was established in Barbados in 1957.[1] and ranks as the only indigenous religion in the country.
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[edit] Prohibition
The activities of the Spiritual Baptists were prohibited in 1917 by the Shouter Prohibition Ordinance, which was eventually repealed in 1951.
[edit] Holiday
In 1996 the Government of Trinidad and Tobago granted a public holiday to the Spiritual Baptist faith, to be celebrated on March 30, called Spiritual Baptist/Shouter Liberation Day, in memory of the struggle and in recognition of the repeal of the prohibition laws.[2]
[edit] Places of Worship
Sons of God Apostolic Spiritual Baptist
Barbados:
- The Cathedral Church of Jerusalem – Ealing Grove, Christ Church
- Beulah Temple – Bishops, St. Lucy
- Zion Apostolic Temple – Richmond Gap, St. Michael
USA:
- Bethlehem Church – Brooklyn, NY
- Pillar of Fire Church – Dorchester, MA
- Scarlet Cord Church – New Bedford, MA
- St. Pauls Seven Day Apostolic Spiritual Baptist Church – Brooklyn, NY
[edit] Further reading
- Encyclopedia of African and African-American Religions
- Gall, Timothy L. (ed). Worldmark Encyclopedia of Culture & Daily Life: Vol. 2 - Americas. Cleveland, OH: Eastword Publications Development (1998); pg. 76-77.
[edit] References
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- account of this congregation in Trinidad and Tobago
- Spiritual Baptist on-line magazine
- Barbados National Cultural Foundation (NCF) -- Spiritual Baptists Culture of Barbados
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