What is the Nation of Gods and Earths?

Historical Background and Founding

The group commonly known as the Nation of Gods and Earths (sometimes referred to as the Five Percent Nation) traces its origins to the mid-1960s. Its founder, Clarence Edward Smith—later referred to as Clarence 13X—was once associated with the Nation of Islam. Around 1964, he began formulating distinct beliefs that led to the creation of a separate community of followers.

Clarence 13X’s background in the Nation of Islam influenced his views on race, identity, and spirituality. He taught that Black men are “Gods” and Black women are “Earths.” Though the movement is distinct from the Nation of Islam, it shares some overlapping history, concepts, and vocabulary. They utilize lessons sometimes referred to as “Supreme Wisdom,” which originated in early 20th-century teachings related to the Nation of Islam.

Central Beliefs and Terminology

The Nation of Gods and Earths is known for its distinctive terminology and concepts:

1. Gods and Earths: Men who accept the teachings are considered “Gods,” while women are called “Earths.” This naming conveys a notion of divine identity for men and an essential grounding quality for women.

2. The Five Percent: The name “Five Percent” arises from their belief that 85% of the population is unaware of true knowledge, 10% exploit that lack of knowledge, and the remaining 5% holds “righteous” teachings meant to awaken others.

3. Supreme Mathematics and Supreme Alphabet: Members practice a system of interpreting words and phrases through numeric and alphabetic codes, which they claim offers deeper insights into truth.

4. View of the Divine: Rather than adhering to a traditional concept of a single Creator God as recognized by mainstream monotheistic faiths, this movement affirms each Black man as a manifestation of “Allah,” an acronym they often break down in creative ways.

5. Scriptural and Religious Divergence: While often referencing ideas from Islamic and biblical traditions, they do not submit to the standard doctrines or texts in the way observers of mainline Christianity, Judaism, or Islam would. Instead, they blend a range of ideas that emphasize self-realization as divinity.

Lifestyle and Organizational Structure

The Nation of Gods and Earths holds gatherings called “ciphers,” where members study their lessons, practice their Supreme Mathematics and Supreme Alphabet, and engage in discussions about life, culture, and knowledge. Unlike more traditional religious institutions with a strict hierarchy, the Nation of Gods and Earths boasts a more decentralized structure, emphasizing individual “enlightenment” while still holding to Clarence 13X’s foundational teachings.

Points of Contrast with Scripture

Because the Nation of Gods and Earths diverges substantially from the teachings of the biblical text, there are several areas where the two perspectives do not align:

1. Nature of God: Scripture repeatedly affirms there is one eternal God. Isaiah 43:10 declares, “Before Me no god was formed, and after Me none will come.” This monotheistic stance contrasts with the belief that each man can be “God.”

2. Humanity’s Position Before God: In Genesis 1:27, humanity is described as created in God’s image, but still distinct from Him. Likewise, Exodus 20:3 commands, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” These verses underscore the uniqueness of the Creator and the created.

3. Salvation Focus: The biblical text contends that salvation comes through the redemptive work of the Messiah alone (cf. 1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”). The Nation of Gods and Earths, however, emphasizes self-realization and knowledge over a relationship with a single, transcendent God.

4. Role of Jesus Christ: In passages such as John 14:6, Christ says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” This exclusive claim does not fit with a philosophy that asserts any human group’s innate divinity as a substitute for reliance on the risen Christ.

Sociological and Philosophical Observations

From a sociological standpoint, the development of new religious movements often occurs in contexts of social upheaval and cultural transformation. During the 1960s, issues of racial identity and empowerment were at the forefront in many communities. The Nation of Gods and Earths arose within this environment, offering an alternative framework that sought to address cultural and existential needs among African Americans.

Philosophically, the group’s emphasis on knowledge and self-understanding can offer empowerment and practical advice for some adherents. However, it presents a worldview that departs from the idea of a transcendent, personal God separate from the created order. Comparative religious scholars observe that the group’s doctrines resemble certain themes from Gnosticism, where hidden knowledge is prized as the path to liberation.

Archaeological and Historical Considerations

The movement is relatively modern and does not claim ancient archaeological texts or long-standing historical documents in the same way that mainstream religions depend on historically rooted sacred writings. Therefore, typical archaeological or manuscript evidence—like Qumran’s Dead Sea Scrolls or the thousands of New Testament manuscripts—does not weigh upon the Nation of Gods and Earths in the same manner.

In contrast, the biblical Scriptures have preserved consistency across thousands of manuscripts, including early fragments like P52 (a second-century piece of John’s Gospel), as well as entire sets of gospel manuscripts from the early centuries of Christianity. These attest to the enduring foundation of biblical teaching about a single Creator and the historicity of a literal Messiah who died and rose again (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:3–4).

Practical Implications for Individuals and Communities

Those curious about the Nation of Gods and Earths should be aware that it offers a socially driven identity and devotion to “knowledge of self.” Yet in comparing its worldview to biblical teachings, one finds significant gaps:

• It does not affirm the core biblical presentation of one God who is utterly holy, exalted above creation.

• It sets aside the unique atonement provided by the crucifixion and resurrection of the Messiah.

• It diverges from historically grounded biblical manuscripts that have shaped countless generations of believers across the globe.

Conclusion

The Nation of Gods and Earths arose as a distinct offshoot from the Nation of Islam in the 1960s, emphasizing the divinity of Black men and the grounding quality of Black women as Earths. While it meets particular cultural and social needs for its adherents, its teachings stand apart from the consistent monotheism of the biblical canon. Passages such as Isaiah 43:10 and John 14:6 underline the uniqueness of the biblical perspective: the existence of only one God and a salvation rooted in the risen Christ.

Whether approached from a historical, social, or philosophical angle, the Nation of Gods and Earths represents a belief system with clearly defined aims and practices, but one that diverges from the unifying themes of Scripture. In seeking theological coherence, many outside observers compare its claims to the biblical texts that have been transmitted through the centuries with remarkable accuracy and consistency. For those examining the movement, it remains essential to evaluate the claims in light of tested historical evidence and the broader witness of Scripture.