RELIGION AS A SOCIAL FORCE

Religion as a Social Force The Amerindians of the region had their own religious practices and ceremonies before the intervention of any Europeans. For the most part they were polytheistic-worshiping many gods. Much of their rites involved sacrifices, often times humans, as well as dancing singing and smoking. All of that was interrupted with the arrival of the Europeans who insisted that the Amerindians were heathens thus making them inferior. Then and there attempts were …

…at every opportunity to blame the Missionaries for any slave infractions. In fact there were incidences of Missionaries losing their lives if they were thought of being involved in helping or influencing slave revolts. In spite of all the prosecution though, the Missionaries were very instrumental to emancipation of slaves and their freedom. Despite the influences of all those religious groups, African religions persisted in the Caribbean. The Planters refused to ensure that the Slaves