Dr Maturlu, N.
African descendants—both on the continent and in the diaspora—are believed to exhibit higher levels of religiosity compared to many other communities. In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, over 95% of the population identifies with a religious group, and daily prayer and regular attendance at religious services are common. African communities in regions like the UK, Europe, Latin America, and Australia maintain strong religious practices, often reflected in higher church attendance and active participation in religious life. In the U.S., 79% of African Americans consider religion very important in their lives, compared to whites and Latinos. In essence, most Afro-descendants profess divinity and its ultimate power as the driving force of their everyday life.
Yet, despite this profound religiosity, Afro-descendant communities face disproportionately high levels of material, mental, and emotional poverty compared to other communities. In sub-Saharan Africa, for instance, a significant portion of the population lives in extreme poverty, and projections suggest that nearly 90% of the world’s poor will reside in Africa in the near future. Similarly, in high-income countries, Afro-descendants often face economic hardships. In the UK, for example, a large percentage of Black African and Black Caribbean households live in poverty compared to white British households, demonstrating stark economic disparities.
Afro-descendant communities face not only material poverty but also mental and emotional poverty, compounded by systemic racism, discrimination, and social exclusion. These factors heighten stress, anxiety, and depression, particularly among marginalised populations. In the U.S., African Americans experience a poverty rate more than double that of whites, with economic hardship often linked to mental health struggles and lower subjective well-being. This combination of material, mental, and emotional poverty contributes to lower life satisfaction across Afro-descendant populations.
African countries generally rank lower on the World Happiness Index due to challenges such as lower GDP per capita, limited access to healthcare, and political instability. Countries like South Sudan, Zimbabwe, and the Central African Republic are among the lowest-ranking globally, primarily due to conflicts, poverty, and fragile infrastructure. In contrast, countries like Mauritius and Seychelles perform better due to stronger governance and economic stability yet still rank below global leaders like Finland and Denmark, which benefit from higher living standards, social support, and political stability.
The legacy of slavery, colonialism, imperialism, and, to some extent, racism and apartheid are often seen as the main causes of this recent struggle. Systemic inequalities and limited access to resources such as healthcare, education, and social services reinforce these disparities, hindering the flourishing of Afro-descendant communities globally. While these factors undoubtedly play a significant role, they do not tell the whole story.
Historical Prosperity and Spiritual Foundations
Historically, African descendants—symbolised by ancient Egypt, Ethiopia, the Kingdom of Mali, and Cush—were once among the most prosperous people in the world. Up until about 2,000 years ago, Africa was a global leader in both economic and military power.
These periods of prosperity were deeply intertwined with African indigenous religions, which played a key role in fostering social stability and economic success. For example, the spiritual beliefs of ancient Egypt and Nubia contributed to the creation of powerful civilisations that thrived for centuries. African indigenous religions typically emphasised harmony, reciprocity, community cohesion, and a balance between the material and spiritual worlds.
Spiritual Decline and the Role of Abrahamic Faith
In effect, spirituality—the spiritual attachment to the divine deity—has always played a pivotal role in the prosperity of Afro-descendants. However, their ancestral gods were inferior to the monotheistic God of Abraham, who is believed to be all-powerful, forever present, and unconditionally loving. Regrettably, traditional worship eventually led to arrogance and brutality, culminating in the mistreatment of ethnic minorities, particularly the Jews. Ironically—through the Judeo-Christian theological lens—the histories of African descendants and the Jewish people are seen to be closely linked. During Africa’s height of prosperity, the Jews were enduring severe hardships, suffering from famine and civil unrest. Many sought refuge in Africa, hoping for safety, but instead faced harsh labour and restricted freedoms under their hosts.
This angered the Abrahamic God worshipped by the Jews, who—in the scriptures—vowed to denigrate Africans, predicting that they would be sold into slavery. To achieve this, God interrupted their ancestral worship; there was a disconnect between Africans and their idols, spirits, mediums, and those who consulted the spirits of the dead. Over the centuries, Africa’s decline was marked by this divine decree, culminating in the transatlantic slave trade, where Africans were forcibly sold into slavery across the globe. The loss of these long-standing spiritual systems, combined with the trauma of slavery and colonialism, undermined the continent’s social and economic fabric, making it vulnerable to external exploitation.
The Liberating Power of Slavery
Praise be to God, for Africans were never meant to perish but to ascend to their rightful place of prosperity. God’s promise to restore Africa—even to her great heights—shines as a beacon of hope for all. The “striking” by God’s hand was never meant for destruction but for transformation and renewal. This imagery of God’s strike is not one of wrathful obliteration but of purposeful and redemptive discipline. It reflects the work of a master surgeon whose precise incision, though painful and invasive, is necessary to bring about deeper healing and lasting wholeness.
Adversity, especially with displacement, can create fertile ground for spiritual transformation and growth, fostering a deepened hunger for new spiritual values and expanding the capacity to embrace them. Displacement offers an opportunity for acculturation—adopting new positive cultural values from the host communities. In doing so, it provides an opportunity for a more blissful life. This is what I call Differential Bliss Receptivity: adversity provides a unique advantage for deeper spiritual experience and bliss.
This is what happened to the Afro-descendants who had been under centuries of captivity. Although the institution of slavery and imperialism brought immense suffering, it also introduced a profound liberty and transformation bliss. During their enslavement, most African descendants were introduced to the God of Abraham, and many embraced the Christian faith, finding salvation in Jesus Christ. In this sense, slavery was not solely a form of punishment; it also served as a means of physical, mental, and spiritual transformation.
Historical Parallels and the LOVE Model
Just as God delivered the Israelites from bondage in Egypt through Moses, He also worked through influential figures such as William Wilberforce, Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela to bring an end to slavery, colonialism, and imperialism. Through these efforts, God facilitated the liberation and upliftment of African descendants. As such, today, these communities are often among the most spiritually oriented in the world, with vibrant religious life flourishing both in Africa and throughout the diaspora.
Faith as a Catalyst for Resilience and Empowerment
Spirituality, particularly monotheistic Abrahamic faith, has long been a cornerstone in improving the lives of African descendants, especially during times of oppression and neglect. Churches, mosques, temples, and synagogues have often stepped in where health, welfare, education, and economic opportunities were lacking, fostering resilience and empowerment.
This faith-driven legacy is evident in the lives of iconic leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mandela’s Christian upbringing instilled in him a deep sense of justice and compassion, guiding his fight against apartheid and racial oppression in South Africa. Similarly, King’s Christian faith fuelled his leadership in the American Civil Rights Movement, advocating for equality and human dignity.
In the realm of enterprise, faith has also played a significant role. For instance, Madam C.J. Walker, a pioneering African American entrepreneur born to formerly enslaved parents, became the first female self-made millionaire in the U.S. Her success in developing and marketing hair care products for Black women was not solely a personal victory. Rooted in her Christian faith, Walker’s business philosophy emphasised community empowerment and upliftment. She used her wealth to support civil rights causes and mentored young Black women, making her an enduring symbol of social and economic progress.
The Disconnect Between Faith and Transformation
Despite the profound contributions of religious faith to the prosperity of Afro-descendant communities, its impact remains limited. Like the Israelites who wandered in the desert for 40 years before reaching the Promised Land, Afro-descendants have yet to experience the blessings that God promised fully. Although extreme forms of oppression like slavery, imperialism, and colonialism have ended, the scars of these traumas persist, particularly in the form of ongoing economic hardship, racism and psychological wounds.
Within African communities—both on the continent and abroad—deep-seated tribalism across political, ideological, theological, and moral dimensions fuels corruption, civil wars, inefficiency, and lawlessness. Despite strong religious identities, these divisions persist, often justified in the name of God. Religion, intended to foster love, justice, and unity, is frequently misused to perpetuate exclusion, exploitation, and power struggles, eroding trust in institutions and deepening societal fragmentation. Theological tribalism further silences dialogue, fostering division through exclusive interpretations of faith.
In effect, the impact of Abrahamic faith has not matched the scale of transformation seen in other societies.
Lessons from Faith-Driven Societies
In the Western world, the Christian faith has driven socio-scientific innovations, leading to unprecedented prosperity. A notable example is the Lunar Society of Birmingham, a small group that embodied the principle of Christian “Linkedness” and collaboration. This society, which included luminaries such as James Watt, Matthew Boulton, Joseph Priestley, and Erasmus Darwin, was instrumental in the Industrial Revolution that began in Birmingham, UK, before spreading across Europe, America, and globally.
What made the Lunar Society remarkable was not just their intellectual collaboration but the shared spiritual, ethical, and philosophical values that underpinned their success. Members regularly engaged in discussions on ethics, societal well-being, and the greater good alongside their scientific explorations. Many adhered to Christian ethical frameworks, which emphasised social responsibility and the moral imperative to improve society.
This integrated model of collaboration, where spirituality, ethics, and science intersect, highlights how faith-driven innovation can lead to enduring societal progress. It serves as a reminder of the potential within Afro-descendant communities to harness faith, collaboration, and shared values for transformative change.
The Problem Is Not God but Worship Practices
There is nothing wrong with the kind God of Africa, but the issue lies in the kind of God that Africans worship. While God remains able, constant, and caring, many Afro-descendants have not developed a secure, trusting relationship with Him. This connection is often entangled with remnants of colonial influences, ancestral idol worship, and misunderstandings of God’s true nature.
The paradox of high religiosity coexisting with widespread poverty and conflict in many African communities suggests that the purity of faith—specifically, the depth of one’s understanding and practice of divine prosperity principles—requires significant improvement.
Historically, African prosperity crumbled because it was not built on a solid foundation rooted in a secure relationship with the Abrahamic God of love. To experience true spiritual and material bliss, one must go beyond mere ritualistic worship and cultivate a deep, transformative relationship grounded in love, trust, and alignment with cardinal divine principles. Without establishing this secure attachment to God, African descendants may continue to face challenges in realising their full potential for flourishing.
The Journey from Slavery Mentality to Prosperity Mentality
For African descendants to experience genuine prosperity, it is essential to move beyond the lingering “slavery mentality” and embrace a “prosperity mentality”—a shift that is currently hindered by the pervasive influence of ancestral worship and oppressive historical Western imperialism. Just as the Israelites could not enter the Promised Land while holding onto a slavery mindset, African descendants cannot fully attain great prosperity with a similar outlook.
The Afro-descendant transformation follows a three-phase strategy – keeping with the Israelites’ journey from Egyptian slavery to the promised freedom:
- Physical Liberation: The end of physical bondage such as slavery.
- Spiritual Framework: Establishing secure divine attachment and following God’s instructions.
- Enculturation: Nurturing younger generations to carry forward secure spirituality and divine flourishing framework and practices.
Since the first phase is nearly complete, the next two phases require focused attention and concerted efforts.
Love and Bliss: A Model for Transformation
In my forthcoming book, Love and Bliss: The Psychology, Theology and Philosophy of Flourishing in Adversity, I explore a comprehensive model designed to help African descendants establish a secure relationship with God and embrace their blissful lives, as reflected in sacred scriptures. Drawing on their unique history, spirituality, and culture, this model offers a path to realising their divine potential for fulfilment and well-being.
Years of study—spanning spiritual, religious, philosophical, and psychological models—have culminated in the LOVE model of bliss.
“Bliss”—also known as flourishing in psychology or abundant life in Judeo-Christianity—refers to a life of optimal well-being where individuals experience a balance of physical, economic, social, mental, and spiritual dimensions. It encompasses thriving in positive experiences and growing through challenges, integrating both positive and negative aspects of life for lasting fulfilment.
Importantly, bliss arises from cultivating the four core virtues:
- Linkedness: A deep sense of belonging and connection with God, others, and all creation.
- Opulence: Material wealth and a secure sense of provision, contentment, and achievement, rooted in the belief that God is the ultimate source of all resources.
- Valory: A profound sense of meaning, vitality, and engagement with life, driven by a purpose aligned with God’s will.
- Equanimity: Tranquillity, emotional balance, and resilience, allowing individuals to navigate life’s challenges with grace.
A Flourishing Future for Afro-Descendants
The LOVE model is not a new formula—rather, it is a proven one, deeply rooted in the teachings of Christ, the Torah, and the Bible, and acknowledged by great philosophers and positive psychology scholars. The “prosperity mentality” that God instilled in the Israelites through the Torah is mirrored in the LOVE model of bliss.
The Differential Bliss Receptivity theory offers a beacon of hope, particularly for African communities. It suggests that those who face emotional distress, social disadvantage, or other challenges are uniquely positioned to experience profound benefits from divine love. For African descendants, this means that the hardships they have endured as individuals and as a community have not only deepened their capacity and yearning to receive God’s love but also enabled them to gain more from it.
Enjoying life of bliss does not happen solely through miracles, prayer, tithing, or offerings. It requires the application of sound divine principles. In the wilderness, the Jews needed miraculous sustenance, but to prosper in the Promised Land, they had to follow the divine economic laws in the Torah. Similarly, African descendants have depended on prophetic, miraculous deliverance from spiritual forces and sustenance due to the lack of support from discriminatory institutions. Now, the time has come for Afro-descendants to internalise and apply the LOVE model.
LOVE: Cardinal Law of Prosperity
Economic prosperity can be understood as the secure and consistent fulfilment of basic material needs, which are essential for human security, survival, and flourishing. It is characterised by the sustained growth and stability of an economy, a system in which goods and services are produced, distributed, and consumed efficiently. The key economic activity in this system is meeting human needs and providing solutions, ensuring that businesses, consumers, and governments interact in ways that address these needs. The cardinal rule of economic prosperity, therefore, is to use our God-given resources to serve others by meeting their demands, whether through employment or self-employment.
From a spiritual perspective, holy texts describe a divine formula for prosperity, highlighting three essential components: natural resources (capital), enterprise (economic machinery), and divine blessings (the fuel). Natural resources, such as land and raw materials, are viewed as gifts from God that must be stewarded wisely to produce prosperity. This management is aligned with the cardinal rule of using these resources to serve others by fulfilling their needs. Through enterprise—comprising innovation and governance—human initiative converts these resources into material wealth, addressing society’s needs through employment and self-employment opportunities.
However, economic machinery cannot function to its full potential without divine blessings. Divine blessings, which encompass permission (authority) and ability (power) to prosper, are bestowed by God, the ultimate owner of all resources. These blessings also manifest in core LOVE virtues-which include compassion, diligence, integrity, and wisdom- which are essential in guiding economic actions toward the greater good of society. In essence, these virtues ensure that economic activity generates wealth and serves others by aligning with spiritual and moral principles. Without divine blessings, even the most advanced strategies or resources may fall short of achieving sustained prosperity. These blessings are nurtured through a secure relationship with God, who provides the guidance and protection necessary for transforming human effort into meaningful abundance.
What makes the divine formula unique is the role of bespoke instructions. Unlike generic principles, God’s laws are tailored to each group’s specific circumstances and environments. This bespoke nature is vital due to the inherent evolutionary, biological, psychological, historical, or socio-cultural differences among people, including their personalities, interests, cultures, and experiences. This individualised guidance allows for a flourishing society that is both prosperous and aligned with God’s will.
Building a society and economy rooted in obedience to God’s principles, rather than adopting systems from those outside of His covenant, is essential. In this way, Africans must construct their economic framework according to God’s instructions, ensuring their prosperity aligns with divine-specific principles rather than inherited colonial or ungodly practices.
Enculturation of LOVE and Bliss
The final phase of the Afro-descendant transformation should focus on enculturation: passing down the principles of the LOVE model to future generations. The journey to the Promised Land doesn’t begin in church pulpits, political arenas, or corporate boardrooms—it starts in the heart through a secure, personal relationship with the God of LOVE. The greatest wave of prosperity for future generations will emerge by transferring LOVE to our children. The infamous Willie Lynch letter showed how a slavery mentality was passed down through generations. Similarly, instilling a flourishing mentality in Afro-descendants must start with the younger generation—beginning in our homes, around the family dinner table.
Practical steps for parents, caregivers, and community leaders should emphasise creating secure, loving family environments where young people can build strong personal relationships with God.
Extending beyond individual families, the vision includes building broader communities grounded in love, connectedness, and well-being, ensuring that future generations are equipped to thrive. This approach highlights the importance of familial support systems and God’s love as a faster, more effective path to overcoming the legacy of historical trauma and achieving lasting prosperity.
Love and Bliss is meant to help all people, particularly African descendants, understand and apply the LOVE bliss model. Grounded in historical wisdom, scientific rigour, and philosophical and spiritual values, the LOVE model provides a sustainable and inclusive path to a joyful and fulfilled life for many generations to come, starting with one person at a time.
Leave a comment