Da Urban Conservative Faith Under Siege: How Criminals Hijacked Our Sacred Spaces

Welcome back to another hard-hitting episode of Da Urban Conservative, where we pull back the curtain on some of the most underreported issues plaguing our communities. Today, we’re diving deep into a subject that’s been festering in the shadows for far too long: the infiltration of our sacred spaces by individuals who have weaponized religion to control and manipulate the very people they claim to uplift. Joining us for this crucial conversation is none other than Robert Johnson, a man who’s been tirelessly tracking these schemes and unraveling the layers of deception that have crept into our spiritual lives.
It’s no secret that the prison industrial complex has disproportionately targeted Black men, breaking them down in ways that society often fails to address. But what happens when these men emerge from the system with a newfound, yet twisted, religious fervor? What happens when they return to our communities, not as reformed individuals, but as agents of chaos disguised as spiritual leaders? We’re talking about a system that not only strips these men of their freedom but also reconstructs their identity in ways that are deeply harmful to the fabric of our community.
Islam, in particular, has been heavily manipulated by these figures. Groups like the Black P Stones have played a significant role in this twisted narrative, where religious teachings are cherry-picked and distorted to fit the agendas of those in power. But the manipulation doesn’t stop at Islam. These so-called leaders, whether they call themselves pastors, imams, or other religious titles, have embedded themselves in our communities and transformed what should be houses of worship into veritable cults.
These aren’t just spiritual leaders in name; these are individuals who have come up through the ranks of the streets, through gangs, and have used their platforms to command rather than uplift. The notion of “speaking it into existence,” a phrase that should be about empowerment and faith, has been co-opted into a tool for exploitation. These leaders promise fortune and divine favor to those who give generously to the church or mosque, but where does that money really go? More often than not, it’s funneled back into the gang’s operations, funding activities that further destabilize our communities.
And then there’s the matter of confession—something that should be sacred, a time for personal reflection and spiritual counsel. Instead, it’s been turned into a mechanism for gang members to receive marching orders, all under the guise of religious authority. The so-called leaders have twisted the very essence of spirituality to serve their criminal agendas, leaving their congregations in a state of confusion and spiritual disarray.
These scams are not new; they’ve been a part of Minneapolis' history for years. But what’s truly alarming is how deeply ingrained they’ve become in our communities. The criminal elements have not just hijacked our places of worship—they’ve hijacked the spiritual lives of countless individuals, steering them away from true faith and into a cycle of exploitation and control.
In this episode, we’re going to unpack all of this and more with Robert Johnson. We’ll dig into the history, the players involved, and most importantly, what we can do as a community to reclaim our sacred spaces. It’s time to shine a light on the darkness that has been allowed to grow unchecked for far too long.
So, stay tuned as we uncover the uncomfortable truths about how criminals have hijacked our faith, and what steps we can take to restore the integrity of our spiritual lives. This is an episode you won’t want to miss—because the future of our communities depends on it.

https://youtu.be/ds_o22ceZIA?si=TQLnzhLY8uVRoMvK

https://youtu.be/MFy5hKe4T64?si=eqlB5iXTrvgotyYy