Confessions of a black atheist

[cbayer]

http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/28/living/black-atheist-confession/

By Mandisa Thomas, special to CNN
Updated 1:49 PM ET, Sat March 28, 2015



Thomas founder and current President of Black Nonbelievers, Inc. She also serves on the boards for Foundation Beyond Belief and the Secular Coalition for America. The opinions expressed in this column belong to Thomas.

(CNN)I am atheist -- and I am black.

Yes, we exist -- even if many in the media sometimes don't notice us. In a CNN special that aired on Tuesday, for example, people of color were not as well-represented as American atheism's more familiar face: You know, white males.

In fact, African-American atheists represent a still small -- though growing -- segment of American atheists at large. Does this mean that blacks and other minorities generally just don't gravitate towards nonbelief, or are there other factors which keep us hidden?

There is a harsh truth to face here.

Most blacks identify as religious. Belief in God is touted with pride, and the church is intricately tied to tradition, history and culture. It is not uncommon to assume that I attend services as a black woman. The question often isn't if I go to church -- it's where. And even if one doesn't go to church, surely they still have faith -- because our people have endured and overcome so much hardship that it had to be the work of a god.

more at link

[Cartoonist]

1. A few things stand out

It is very important to note however, that the Internet has made it easier for black atheists to find each other, and there is a large community of us online.
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This is fantastic. God bless the internet. This refrain has been repeated often. The church has much to fear from the internet.

I've had to endure ostracism from family and friends as a result of openly identifying as an atheist.
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Yes, religion is not the fuzzy "love one another" happy club. It is an oppressive institution that is more about control than freedom.

While the number of visible minority atheists is still small, we are here and we're here to stay.
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Welcome!

[cbayer]

2. The church has much to fear from the internet?

Because it has made it easier for black atheists to find each other?

That would be true if black atheists were generally hostile towards religion, which there isn't any evidence to support.

It's also made it easier for churches and other religious groups to communicate and organize. It's not a one sided deal.

She is quite impressive, isn't she? I think she is a huge asset to organized atheism and hope to hear more from here.

[Cartoonist]

3. Because it has made it easier for black atheists to find each other?

No, because it has made it easier for ALL atheists to find one another. It has made it easier for everyone to learn that there are other options than religion.

[cbayer]

4. I think the dissemination of information and the ability to find like minded

people a very positive thing.

Many atheists are isolated and find others to commune with is a good thing.

But most atheists are not hostile towards religion and do not pose a "threat".

[Cartoonist]

5. Threat Alert

It is not that atheists are hostile towards religion, it is the fact that people are moving towards "not affiliated" that is the threat to orthodoxy. Without the rubes in the pews, there is no income.

A link found on the page you linked to:
http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2014/08/us/american-archbishops-lavish-homes/

[cbayer]

6. The rise of the nones is definitely connected to people

moving away from some of the more traditional religious organizations. Some of them are nonbelievers, some believers.

I agree that there is a threat to those organizations that can't or won't change, but there is also an opportunity to create new organizations that hold more appeal. Some of those will include just believers or just non-believers. Others will include both.

Change is definitely occurring, and that is a good thing, imo.

US Council of Bishops makes me ill.

[AtheistCrusader]

7. He didnt say they posed a threat because of hostility.

We pose a threat simply because our numbers are growing.

http://www.christianpost.com/news/survey-departure-from-god-is-cause-of-america-s-moral-decline-26212/

Bingle for moral decline and atheism, and you can see plenty of religious hysterics about us.
The internet has clearly aided in people finding their way out of religion.

[bravenak]

8. As a black atheist I find it very important to know I'm not the only one.

I have 2 preachermen in the family. 1 'Dominionist' and one 'Seventh Day Adventist'. They still have no idea. They would not understand at all.

[cbayer]

9. Were you familiar with her?

She is really doing some great work and looks to be a great role model.

I have read some articles talking about how it is particularly difficult to be a black atheist due to family and community pressure.

I hope you are building yourself a new community.

[bravenak]

10. This is the first I've heard of her.

I plan on checking her out to see what's what with the organization she's with. Looks interesting.

Not many atheists up here where I'm at, but I have a few who I play video games with in town. My BFF. I keep my thoughts on religion to myself with my family. They would just try to get me to come back to church and pray for me all the time. I don't want them up at night worrying about my soul. They're nice people.

[cbayer]

11. Sounds like you have reached an acceptable balance for now.

I hope her organizations has some resources that are meaningful to you.

Thanks so much for weighing in here.