all I need to do is give two examples. Black slaves in the south became highly religious and continued in this path as they were continually held back by society. Exodus to II Kings was written by the Israelites in order to answer the question, Why are we here if god has choosen us? Instead of claiming that there was no god and losing all hope, they said, it was our fore-fathers who are to blame for their reckless regard to faith. That is why we are here in slavery.
When you are desperate, you will begin holding on to anything you can with the hope of freedom. Heck, the Israelites thought the King Cyrus of Persia was the messiah from god when he freed them from Babylonia. How long did they believe that? How long was that the truth before they recanted it?

• maybe you can explain, then - gwynj - January 27, 2001 - 02:19 UTC