Nation of Gods and Earths/Five Percent FAQ (frequently

asked questions)
1.) What are the Nation of Gods and Earths (Five
Percent?)
The Five Percent began as an offshoot of the NOI (Nation of
Islam) back in 1964 by Clarence 13X who was a minister in
Mosque no. 7 under the tutelege of Malcolm X. The movement
was started because Clarence 13X rejected the notion that
Wallace Fard was God Incarnate (see NOI). He began teaching
that the black man himself was god. Five Percenters also depart
from NOI in their teaching of the Supreme Alphabet and
Supreme Mathematics, an arcane system devised by Clarence
13X wherein each letter or numeral denotes a concept with an
accompanying parable. "A" stands for Allah, "B" is Be or Born,
"C" is See and so on. This process is known as "dropping
science".
Supreme Mathematics - teaches that numbers 0-9 means: l1 -
Knowledgel2 - Wisdoml3 - Understandingl4 -
Culture/Freedoml5 - Power/Refinementl6 - Equalityl7 -
Godl8 - Build/Destroyl9 - Bornl0 - Cipher
2.) Why do they call themselves members of the Nation of
Gods and Earths or Five Percenters?
Clarence 13X taught that eighty-five percent of the population is
made up of ignorant, unlearned and uncivilized people who need
to be led (mostly churchgoers). This eighty-five percent are
believed to have no "knowledge of self". Ten percent of the
population have some knowledge of self [i.e. the real truth],
however, they use this knowledge to wield control over the
eighty-five percent vs. "liberating" them [most baptist preachers,
including Rev. Jesse Jackson are believed to be in this category].
Lastly, he considered the remaining five percent to be those who
thought/believed like himself and his followers. The "poor,
righteous teachers", the ones who do possess knowledge of
themselves, their origins, and the way the world system really is
-- and additionally, the way in which the new world order will
come about. Their job/mission is to educate the eighty-five
percent to what this hidden or veiled knowledge really is. [In the
last few years, they have preferred to be called the Nation of
Gods and Earths. The men are referred to as "gods" and the
women are referred to as "earths"] - I have been informed
recently by a member that Allah "The Father" , Clarence 13X,
said that after 1967 they would no longer be known as the 5%
Nation of Islam, but as Allah's Nation of Gods and Earths.
.) How did this message spread?
This message was delivered as a street rap that mesmerized New
York City youth. They won converts by the hundreds. Today the
group numbers in the tens of thousands in NYC alone. This
message was also well-timed, as the 1960's were obviously a
time of great struggle for blacks in America. This was a message
[very similar to the black supremacist doctrines of the NOI] that
made black youths feel superior in a world where they were
viewed as wholly inferior.
4.) How popular is it?
Well it is popular among many African-American male youth,
especially in poor, urban areas. However, this thinking is also
embraced by well off individuals. Its popularity is helped along by
many R&B/Hip-Hop artists. Erykah Badu, Nas, Common, Wu-
Tang, Busta Rhymes, and countless others have their lyrics laced
with 5% doctrine. In addition to using these beliefs in their music
some rap artists like Rakim, Big Daddy Kane and Lakim Shabazz
have used the 5% flag on their album covers. Their numbers are
believed to be in the hundreds of thousands, however they
personally claim many more members. The concentration of Five
Percenters is believed to be the highest on the East Coast, not
coincidentally to be the location of the birth of rap and hip hop
music. The major cities that boast the largest African-American
populations can be known to have a significant number of Five
Percent adherents. These cities include: New York, New Jersey,
New Haven, Washington D.C., Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia,
Cleveland, Baltimore and Atlanta (to name a few). This belief
system has been embraced by some internationally as well.
5.) What are the requirements for membership?
The requirements of "official" membership in the Five Percent are
unclear. They do not have organized affiliation. A Five Percenter
will frequently say that they simply came into knowledge of self,
or better yet, the "fact" that the "Asiatic Black Man" is God... It is
more a way of life and they would shun any reference to them
being a "religion". They do refer to "knowledging 120" (120
refers to their lessons which are virtually identical to the
Supreme Wisdom originated by Elijah Muhammed and W.D.
Fard). This question of whether they have knowledged
(mastered/understood) these lessons appears to be rather
important because often you will hear them say: "I knowledged
120 in [plug year in here]". In many dialogues or "builds" among
themselves, disagreements are usually met with challenges to a
member's knowledge of 120.
Suffice it to say that this step of absorbing the lessons likely
separates the babies from the seasoned, and at the same time
can expose a perpetrator. As indicated on a section of their
homepage, they appear to really keep up with the rap artists
level of commitment to their teachings, regardless of whether or
not they pepper their lyrics with their lingo.
There are also, Parliaments and Schools that the members
attend, which are rallys/meeting places where lessons are
distributed and members can listen to speakers and meet others.
.) Do they have a holy book or some by-laws?
NGE/Five Percent concepts are often circulated as lessons. They
are made up of the following:

-The Supreme Mathematics
-The Supreme Alphabet
-The Student Enrollment (1-10)*
-The Lost Found Muslim Lesson No.1 (1-14)*
-English Lesson C-1 (1-36)*
-The Lost Found Muslim Lesson No.2 (1-40)*
-The Actual Facts*
The Solar Factsl*Lessons marked with an asterisk can be found
here: Supreme Wisdom.lAdditionally there is an emphasis on
knowing the history of the Five Percent, having an understanding
of the Nation's flag and being aware of Clarence 13X's legacy.
Another lesson, Teachings for the Civilized, is also of some
interest. There is an underground newspaper that is offered by
subscription only. I have also discovered a newsletter called The
Black 7. You can download a pdf version of it here. (warning:
potentially long download depending on your connection). The
lessons and paper have a wide circulation in prisons, where the
Five Percent have mounted a significant outreach campaign.
Underground books are circulated as well. Common terminology
that originated with the Five Percent: "Break it down", "droppin'
science", "sup G [God]?", "word", "peace", "word is bond", and
"represent". ll