Customer Reviews

Why African American Youth Are Attracted to Non-Christian/Non-Traditional Religions and Sects

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I have often wondered why African American youth choose to become members of cults and other non-Christian religions. It has been a mystery until now. Dr. Joyce Henderson, author of the book Why African American Youth are Attracted to Non-Christian/Nontraditional Religions and Sects, gives us insight into some of the possible contributing factors. Henderson, who earned her doctorate degree in Ministry from Carolina University of Theology in 1997, has worked with children for thirty-two years at various Recreation Centers throughout the Los Angeles area. She has also held positions of instructor and Associate Pastor and is a Certified Marriage and Family Therapist.

She conducted a study to determine the needs of Young African American youth. Twenty-eight mothers and 60 children between the ages of 5 through 19 were selected from congregations of several churches in the Watts and Compton area of Los Angeles. The interviews were conducted in the church schools, Church and home setting with or without the parents present.

Now with that aside let's talk about the contents of the book. Written in ten chapters and beginning with the chapter on Methodology and ending with a Message to the Clergy and Church the book is very educational. Henderson devotes a chapter to explaining which religions are Christian and Non-Christian. The religions discussed here are Buddhism, Baha'I faith, Islamic, Jehovah Witness and Cults. Each of the religion's characteristics and beliefs are discussed along with the attractions for African American Youth. Most of the chapters contain written personal interviews with people of that particular faith or cult. Henderson's factual information on the different religions and practice was taken from newspaper clippings and interviews with the officials. She is objective in her writing and used the Holy Bible as a reference. She does not blame any religion as the cause but simply states the conclusion of her study and offers some suggestions.

I enjoyed reading this book and would highly recommend it to Parents, Ministers, Sunday School Teachers, Youth Directors, and Communities. I now have a much better understanding of the many different religions and their attraction to African American youth.

Reviewed by Dorothy Cooperwood

This book is truely a blessing to those who are interested in finding out why young African-American Youth are attracted to these religious sects. This book purports to study the causes that lead young African Americans from the Church into non-Christian groups.Included in the work are results from personal interviews, case studies and field surveys conducted by the author. A careful study of these non-Christian non-Traditional groups and sects enable us to view them in their variety and their different degrees of approach to genuine New Testament Christianity. Based upon the findings in the study, the author will suggest what local churches may do to better connect with this generation of youth and some positive steps towards evangelism. It is hoped that this book contributes to some understanding of non-Christians/non-Traditional religions and sects, help churches, parents and communities to prevent such a mass exodus, assist to reclaim and restore to us our prodigal sons and daughters to their rightful place as the children of God-in-Christ who have been granted life everlasting through the sacrifice for all of us by Jesus the Christ who paid our sins.