Religion benefits the dominant group. Numerous examples can be found to illustrate how religion was used during slavery to reinforce the existing relationships between slave masters and their slaves. The following is a portion of a sermon given by a Virginia pastor in a slave-attended church. It shows how Christianity was taught selectively by some. Each religious community has its own definition of the sacred.
Religious communities have unique sets of beliefs, rituals, and experiences.
The Shakers, a religious sect, provide examples of religious rituals. Singing, dancing, and clapping of hands were usually a part of their religious services. Search the Web for descriptions of the Shakers religious sect and other religious groups to learn more about their religious communities. Hutton, Daniel Mac-Hir. 1982. Old Shakertown and the Shakers .