The Role Of Southern Christianity In Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass

Life as a slave is, without a doubt, a life of agony. In a Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass An American Slave, written by himself, Douglass’s incentive to reach a true state of freedom is in constant growth. Born in Talbot County on an unknown date, Douglass faces the brutal maltreatment and mismanagement of slavery. Throughout the duration of his life, he uncovers the harsh truth of slavery, meanwhile deeming it evil. Through the use of Christianity as a moral standard, Douglass distinguishes strong, virtuous individuals from those who lack a moral code. By defining Christianity, illustrating how Southern Christianity fails to meet a moral standard of true religion, and highlighting the hypocrisy within the Southern Christianity,

In Douglass’s time, he distinguishes two types of religion: authentic Christianity and Southern Christianity. Douglass first defines authentic Christianity in the appendix of the book, proclaiming that it is as simple as “lov[ing] the pure, peaceable, and impartial Christianity of Christ” (81). A true Christian acts according to the will of God and practices good works for salvation. However, Southern Christianity is an altered form of these beliefs. While there are no distinct definitions within the Narrative, religious slaveowners shape the meaning of Southern Christianity through their actions. One example in particular is that of Mr. Covey. Because Mr. Covey believes that he is “a sincere worshipper of the most high God,” yet disregards actual Christian law, his actions shape the definition Southern Christianity (50). Mr. Covey’s extreme acts of whipping Douglass multiple times a week, beating Douglass in his most vulnerable health state, and depriving Douglass of his basic human rights, defines Southern Christianity with a negative connotation (49-53). Rather than doing good deeds for salvation as Christianity implies, Covey disregards this belief altogether. Just like other slave owners, he exploits his slaves for the benefit of

Throughout the Narrative, Douglass references religion too often for it to be considered a small slice of the pie. Rather, it composes a larger piece of the Narrative along with his life in general. Douglass begins with the essence of virtue, highlighting that “the moral which [he] gained [...] was the power of truth over the conscience of even a slaveholder. What [he] got [...] was a bold denunciation of slavery, and a powerful vindication of human rights” (34-5). In other words, morality is power; And whoever owns it, in the perspective of Douglass, is obligated to use it for enhancing human life. Slavery does just the opposite, thus undermining this notion. In no means is this the religion true Christianity practices of good works for salvation. Douglass emphasizes 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” (67). With this set standard of authentic Christianity set in place, Southern Christianity fails to even come close to meet