Ain't no spook god: religiosity in the nation of gods and earths

Andrews, Pamela M. (2013) Ain't no spook god: religiosity in the nation of gods and earths. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (29MB)

Abstract

The Nation of Gods and Earths (NGE) are a demographically small, primarily urban-based offshoot of the Nation of Islam who have had a disproportionate influence over hip-hop music and culture. Group members eschew organized rei igion, referring to the tradition instead as a "culture" or "way of life". This thesis uses socio-cultural and historical critical theory to describe and analyze the history of the community, the complicated understandings of gender and race relations within the NGE, and the ways in which NGE culture has impacted the global hip-hop movement. Many theorists place the NGE within an Islamic framework, however, this thesis argues that understanding the culture within the context of New Religious Movements is more productive. Using Religious Studies scholar Catherine Albanese's " four C's" model of religion, this thesis illustrates some ways in which the Nation of Gods and Earths can be understood as a religious community.

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