Reply #18: This is the inherent problem w/polls.

[bliss_eternal]

They show us all the boxes they categorize people under, but what do they really tell us...about anyone?

None of the poll results I saw said anything about people's religion or affiliations with churches. Though I have read a couple of newspaper articles that took the time to determine if those they spoke with had any religious affiliations.

From a historic standpoint, look back at slavery (when africans were brought to this country). Slaves weren't allowed to read or write, but the slave owners allowed them to have religion and worship. Why? Slave owners considered africans savages, and they felt that religion helped to keep the slaves in line--obedient, dutiful and fearful. After slavery many black people continued with their religious practices, and generation after generation passed it on.

All of this is just to say, many african americans were given religion by their white slave owners. Religion is a social construct frequently used to dominate and control. It should be used in polls, as I believe it would make the polls more informative.