Black Christians are also indicted for immorality; the minister points out that “All of us were once in the church and we did everything evil.” I have watched this argument at work and come away amazed at the way the Black Muslims take the Christian ethic as a measuring stick; they then arouse the guilt complex of the wayward Christians in the audience and then go on to blame Christianity for the individual’s moral failure. This, to be sure, is a contorted argument. But it works. Christians sit in the temple audience and confess their Christian failing, then they repent themselves right out of the Christian church. After the sermon the visitors are asked to raise any questions that may trouble them. The ministers deal with each question in detail, but the Black Muslim ushers (The Fruit of Islam) make certain the questioner is not an “agitator,” someone who has come into the temple just to start a philosophical or theological argument. “You are in here to be taught, Brother,” I heard one Black Muslim say to a visitor, “not to argue.” And when the visitor frankly says he does not understand what the Black Muslims are up to, or that, after honestly trying, he is unable to agree, the minister explains that this is not to be held against the visitor. “You are among the deaf, dumb, and blind,” the minister explains kindly. Then he assures the visitor that further study and estrangement from “the teaching of the devil” will open his eyes and ears. The climax of each temple service comes when visitors are invited to join the movement. There is great rejoicing when converts come forth. Eric Lincoln, who has attended more of these services than I have, says that the larger temples average a dozen or so converts at each meeting. Once the visitor decides to join the temple, he is given a letter he must copy by hand: Address City and State Date Mr. W. F. Muhammad 4807 South Woodlawn Avenue Chicago 15, Illinois Dear Savior Allah, Our Deliverer: I have been attending the teachings of Islam by one of your Ministers, two or three times. I believe in it, and I bear witness that there is no God but Thee, and that Muhammad is Thy Servant and Apostle. I desire to reclaim my Own. Please give me my Original name. My slave name is as follows: Name Address City and State