The Kwanzaa Deception
It is a well known fact that we as African Americans and other descendants of African slaves have had our heritage stolen. As a result we carry deep within our souls a hunger that yearns to be connected to our past ancestors. This feeling of disconnection, this missing link, makes us more vulnerable to embrace every trick the enemy offers as an opportunity to satisfy the hunger to be connected to our African culture, and restore a small part of our ancestors past in hopes of finding our identity. There is therefore a feeling of being deprived of something of extreme value that was rightfully ours, something that every human needs to feel complete and equal to other people group. This feeling of incompleteness has caused us to develop an orphan spirit, making us extremely open to any plan of the enemy orchestrate to fill that void. We have all heard stories of adopted children that grew up with loving adoptive parents, yet many (even if they were not aware they were adopted) experience a void in their lives, a feeling that says something is missing. When fortunate enough however to locate their birth parent many times they find that void filled, allowing them to feel complete for the first time. There are now laws that allow open adoption, and give the adopted child permission to see their adoptive records if they so desire. Thereby filling that void may be filled, as they experience a sense of wholeness for the first time.
For the descendants of the slaves its too late, there is no law that could change the past, that would allow us to connect to our slave ancestors.
Yes! there is a similar void within the African American and other descendants of slaves, all of us experience that void. It maybe buried deep down inside of us, or for some it maybe closer to the surface, but its there whether we choose to admit it or not.
Not so for other cultures, it’s different. Regardless of their place of origin, whether they are British, Irish, Italian, Indian, Spanish or Mexican etc, they are able to go back and trace their forefathers, but for the African American it is almost impossible.
Those of us old enough to remember the book and TV series of “Roots” that came out in the seventies.
It gave a boost to the self image of the black community. It gave us a dream and hope of the possibility that even we, just maybe! could be like other cultures, we the descendants of slaves could go back to our roots, and find our own Kunte Kinte ancestors. Roots allowed the African American to obtain a sense of dignity and a dream of finding their own flesh and blood ancestors, their tribe.
Who knows more about this cooperate yet personal private need of the African American than some one that has the same need. Who then is better able to help us fill this need than one of our own. Who is also more believable and trusted? Who is in a better position to exploit us by pretending to help us find our lost identity and dignity than another African American who is trying to fill their own need.
Enter Ron Everett! an African American, who now calls himself Dr Maulana Ron Karanga By trying to fill the void in his own life he created the Kwanzaa holiday while a student at UCLA in the sixties. The sixties of course represent the era during in which African Americans were struggling for freedom and a positive identity.
Out of this decade came many revolutionary movements such as Dr Kings nonviolent positive agenda, that was very instrumental in obtaining many of the freedoms the black population enjoy today. Of course there were other movements such as the Black Panthers, United Slaves, and other such organizations that saw violence as a means of obtaining more freedom for the black population. United Slaves was formed by Ron Everett and is still a current organization today. For more information on the root of this organization and Everett‘s past and present activities, maybe found on different internet website. One such site is Christcentric.com and other such websites. Maybe many of his followers especially Christians who after hearing his philosophy may decide he is not a role model worthy to be followed.
The purpose for this article however is not to denigrate the creator of Kwanzaa , but to expose his need for recognition as he tries to fill his own need with this creation. By so doing he is leading many immature Christians astray.
This is also to show how his misguided belief system has driven him to stream line all his energy into creating this holiday that flies in the face of God.
To prove this observation I will address the following areas.
1) Karanga hatred of God and Christianity .
2) Exploitation of the black culture.
3) The Menorah of the tabernacle and what it represents.
4) The Kinara blasphemy and what it represents.
5) Exploitation of African American Christians.
6) Educate and warn Christians who have been deceived into celebrating this so call holiday that denigrate instead of lift up the God of the universe, the one we call our Savior and Lord.
Kranga hatred of God and Christianity.
This man has an incredible hatred for God and Christianity. Here are some of what he has to say on the topic of Christianity. In his book the “The Kawaida Theory” published in 1980.
Karanga states that western religion denies and diminishes human worth, capacity, potential and achievement. He continues: “In Christian and Jewish mythology, humans are born in sin, cursed with mythical ancestors who have sinned, and brought the wrath of an angry God on every generation head.” He opposes belief in God and other such “spooks who threaten us if we don’t worship them and demand that we turn our destiny and daily lives over to them.”
In 1967 the year after Karanga proposed the new holiday he publicly stated the view that “Jesus was a psychotic and Christianity was a white religion that blacks should shun.” From these comments we can see he has a problem with the God we serve, His son Jesus Christ, and Salvation. Of course there maybe many others who may think this way, but they are not asking us to be followers of their ideology.
The exploitation of the black culture.
As Kwanzaa gained popularity in the main stream Everett altered his position so as not to alienate practicing Christians. In 1997 he publicly stated that Kwanzaa was not created to give people an alternative to their religion or religious holidays. It was not an alternative to peoples religion or faith, but a common ground of African culture.
However in 1977 in his information on Kwanzaa origin, concept and practice He stated that “Kwanzaa was chosen to give a black alternative to the existing holiday, and give blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and history rather than simple imitate the practice of the dominant society.”
Concerning those who believe he was adopting Kwanzaa from a traditional African practice, he states the following “People think its African but its not , I came up with Kwanzaa because black people wouldn’t celebrate it if they knew it was American. Also I put it around Christmas because I knew that’s when a lot of bloods were partying.” From this last statement we see a direct attempt to distract the black culture from participation of celebrating the birth of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Menorah of the Tabernacle and what it represents.
Let's talk about the Menorah that you may understand how it is been desecrated in the Kwanzaa celebration.
The Menorah is not just a Jewish sacred symbol, but however sacred it is to the Jewish people, it should be that and more to us. We the engrafted Gentiles, known as Christians, were brought into the kingdom by a Jewish Savoir who is the main person represented in the Menorah. He paid the ultimate price for all our sins. As we scrutinize Karanga’s belief system and closely judge it from the word of God we will see that Karanga is a tool in the enemy's hand used against the people of African descent, to dilute the Christian love and worship to their God, and our Savior Jesus Christ. He distract many with this ungodly celebration of Kwanzaa. This was the same sin of pride Satan committed that got him kicked out of heaven. Let us therefore not be deceived, God will not be mocked.
After the Lord delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt He gave Moses instructions for building the tabernacle in the wilderness.
The purpose of the tabernacle was to provide a place where God would dwell with His people, and they would be able to meet with Him for the purpose of instructions and worship.
God Himself gave Moses instructions for each piece of the furnishings of the tabernacle. How they should be built, the material to be used, where each piece of furnishing should be placed, their importance and representation thereof. Moses was also told who would be authorized to use and care for these furnishings. These were the Levi, the Priest, and High Priest, and they were appointed to carry out their duties and worship of God.
The Lord was very particular that all the instructions should be carried out as He ordered. Two sons of Aaron the High Priest, who were themselves Priest, lost their lives for deviating from God’s prescribed order by offering strange unholy fire to God. ( Lev.10:1-2)
I recommend if you have never done a study on the Tabernacle, it is important you take time to do so, that you may become familiar with your Christian roots. We need to understand what and why we believe as we do, and what each symbol represents to us. This will help us to realize the holiness of God and our relationship with Him that we maybe more grounded in our faith, and not as easily led astray by every wind of doctrine that blows our way.
The Menorah it self was a part of the furnishing in the tabernacle. The Priest after washing his hands and feet outside at the Laver, was allowed to enter the Holy Place, the first room of the tent of the tabernacle. In this room were three pieces of furniture, the Table of Showbread ( as a symbol of God’s presence, the bread of life,) and the Altar of incense.( a symbol of prayers and intercession of the people.)
The Menorah or Golden Lamp stand stood on the left side of Holy Place, it was hammered out of one piece of pure goldas a Lamp Stand. It had a central branch from which three branches extended from each side, forming a total of seven branches. These seven lamps held olive oil and wicks which stood on top of the branches. Each lamp had the appearance of an almond tree, containing buds, blossoms and flowers.
The Priest kept the lamps burning continuously and was the only light in the holy place as it shun upon the table of showbread and the altar of incense. This allowed the priest to see as he fellowship with God and intercede for Gods people. (see Lev.24: 1-3) The light also represented Jesus who was to come as the ‘true light that would give light to every man. (John 1:9) He came into the world so that man could see God through Him and not live in spiritual darkness anymore. (Jhn.8:12, 9:46)
Symbol of the Menorah.
Jesus represent the main branch of the Menorah, while we as the Church are represented by the six branches extending on either side of the original branch.
Eph. 5:8 tells us that we the church are the children of light who draw our source from the true light Jesus Christ. In Math. 5: 14,16. Jesus tells us to let our light shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.
The branches also symbolize a picture of Jesus description of our relationship with Him.
Jesus tells us: “I am the Vine you are the branches ….apart from me you can do nothing.
(Jhn.15; 5. The symbol of pure gold represents the deity and perfection of Jesus Christ.
The number seven represent completeness, the believer is made complete by the perfection of Christ.
I therefore believe any attempt to mimic any of the furnishings of the tabernacle and replace them with our own symbols is an abomination in the eyes of God.
The Kinara blasphemy.
The Kinara one of the symbols of Kwanzaa tries to mimic and ridicule the menorah by imitating its holy symbolism with its own symbolism and representation of the person of Jesus Christ and the Church as symbolized in the Menorah.
The Kinara is a wooden candle holder which also holds seven candles for light like the Menorah. The center candle is black and represents the black ancestors, the original stalk from which we all supposedly sprang.
The other candles are green and red representing the offspring’s.
Black is for the ancestors, green for the land, and red for the blood the ancestors have shed.
Karanga states that the blood stands at the top of all things.. “We lost our land through blood, we must redeem our lives through blood. Without the shedding of blood there can be no redemption of this race.” But the holy bible begs to differ. It tells us that without the shedding of the blood there is no remission of sins.( Heb. 9:22 )Not just any blood but the blood of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. His blood that was shed did not exempt the black race. Rev, 12:11 also tells us that we can only be redeemed or overcome our life struggles through the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. We therefore do not need the blood of our ancestors or our own blood to redeem us, because it cannot. It has no power to deliver anyone.
The exploitation of the African American Christian.
Karanga speaks out of both sides of his mouth when ask if this is a religion. The answer depends on the audience asking the question at the time
However Nguzo Saba one of the secondary symbols of Kwanzaa is defined as the seven principles that all African Americans should live by." In some of his early writings he defines it as spiritual and I quote:
“The Nguzo Saba responds to current needs which can be the method used by blacks to solve problems on a every day level which confronts us as a people. Thus Nguzo Saba are social and spiritual principles, dealing with ways for us to relate to each other, and relive our lives in our own image.” But the bible tells us we were created in the image and likeness of God, we should therefore live our lives always desiring to maintain our lives in His image and likeness, we can only do this when we allow him to live His life through us.
Ancestral Worship is another practice in the celebration of Kwanzaa. This involves the libation ritual where the participants drink from the unity cup, which is administered by an Elder or Priest. Drink is poured into the ground as they recite libations and roll calling the names of dead ancestors. This he states is an offering to our dead ancestors to appease them that they may intercede to God for our protection. This practice is still done among some non Christian religious cultures here, in Africa, and other nations. Karanga has added the reading of prayers of an ancient Egyptian religious book called “Ani or Egyptian Book of the Dead” during this ceremony. ( prayers can be seen on the internet on his Kwanzaa information website.)
Conclusion
It was early in 2007 that the Lord through different scriptures and prophetic word sent me to the City of Atlanta to gather other Intercessors to pray for the city and activate a six week prayer walk during the season of Lent. He had specific areas He wanted to address. Four of these were the normal issues we usually pray for our cities. Two however were specific to the black population. The first came under the area of blood shed on the land. We were told to pray regarding the murders of the Atlanta Children which the Lord said was never properly dealt with, by the Law Enforcement or the Church. The second item was the celebration of Kwanzaa. I was surprise that it was on God’s agenda. I knew about Kwanzaa but had never celebrated it. I always had a check in my Spirit whenever I was invited to participate. However because I was assigned to do the prayer and intercession for the city, I was forced to do the research. I was very surprise at what I found out, this made my heart heavy that my people were being enticed to practice this blasphemous religious activity during the season we celebrate the birth of our Savior and Lord. It became even heavier when I realize that many Black Church leaders are leading their congregation to participate in this abomination against our God.
Bottom line is this. We as a people will always be black, and all our lives we have lived with racism. In some places it is worse than others. Recently for example I had a good dose of the good old boys justice.
When as a black woman I had the nerve to try and fight a traffic ticket in their court, of course I lost the case, after being lied on by the officer, who had just laid hands on the bible and swore to tell the truth. I was even threatened by the judge with probation if I did not have the money to pay the fine.There are still these backward towns in America with their own plantation laws that have not caught up with the age we now live in..
I have said all that to say we cannot keep looking at the things that are seen, these things will pass away. Let us not take our eyes off God, but we must keep looking at the things that are not seen, these are the things that are eternal. Remember that this too shall pass, and God is the only one who is able to deliver us. I can say with confidence that I see the signs of God working on the root issue of the curse of racism.
I know racism will die before His return and very soon. He has shown me the root of this curse and I now have a book out that address this issue, and how this curse must be broken.
The title of the book is "Breaking the Curse of Racism from the Root."
Racism is only a fruit from the root of this tree. Once the root is uprooted it can bear no more fruit.
It must then die.
I also realize that this void we live with, that desire to be connected to the mother land is still in us. But Jesus Christ is able to fill every void in our lives if we let Him. The need for that connection with our ancestors will become less important to us, once we are filled with Him. He has not forgotten about us, He is working on it, and He will do everything in His power to fill every void in our lives. This is the reason I know racism will die before He return, and it will be soon.
Many of us have never thought we would live to see a Black President elected. But this is just the start of what God is about to do for us.This is the season for our deliverance, a season for the elevation of the people of African descent. Once the root racism is dealt with there will be no fruit from the tree of racism, because there will be no root to feed the tree. Read the book for more information on the root of racism and how God will eliminate it if we are obedient to do as He says.
Until that occurs we should not let our lives be driven by this void, making us vulnerable targets for the wiles of the enemy. We must be wise as serpents and harmless as a dove.
To Leaders: I know you have a lot on your plate. As a widow of a Pastor I know it’s time consuming to check everything that comes across your desk, but remember you are the one who is responsible to God for his flock He has entrusted to you.
This was the calendar year 2008, the year of new beginnings. The year 2009 is just around the bend.
a year of our elevation in our rightful places,a year to come into our destiny.
There is no longer a place for the people who choose to remain on the fence, either you are for Him, or against Him.
Choose ye this day therefore whom you will serve, the god of Kwanzaa and your dead ancestors, or will you serve, Jehovah God. The line is now being drawn in the sand. Make your decision now!
Blessed are those who do His Commandments,
that they may have the right to the tree of life,
and may enter through the gates into the City.
But outside are dogs, and sorcerers and sexually
immoral and idolaters, and whoever love and
practices a lie. ( Rev. 22: 14-15)
Notes.
Kwanzaa Information Center @ melanet.com
Kwanzaa Ancestor Worship @chrisocentric.com
Kwanzaa African American topics @ wikipedia.org
Kwanzaa- Racist Holiday. Frontpagemag.com. Tabernacle information-- the tabernacle-place.com
Barbara Robinson Smith
website: instrumentofhispeace.org
