Confessions of a Black Atheist

[onager]

(Usual Disclaimer - posted in the Atheists/Agnostics Group, a safe haven. Please check religious privilege at the door.)

Posting this because of the recent discussions about atheism being mostly a White Boys Club. The author is the founder of Black Nonbelievers Inc., Mandisa Thomas. Who is - WHOOPS! - a Black woman.

I'm a white guy myself, who recently re-located back to the Deep South after living many years in Los Angeles. When I wasn't living in various Islamic paradises in the Middle East.

This subject interests me because, if you've never lived in the South, I don't think you can understand just how pervasive religion is down here, in both the White and Black communities. Practically the entire social network is built around religion. To overstate only a little - if you don't go to church you're not going to have much of a social life. Ms. Thomas addresses that in her article:

Confessions of a black atheist

By Mandisa Thomas, special to CNN

(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.

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

[mr blur]

1. Good read - thanks. I was struck by this thought -

On the other hand, there is a notion that since we share this common ground that there are no other issues to address.

I know the piece is about being black and an atheist, and I don't wish to deflect from that, but we all come across this notion from people, that because we are atheists we must all agree on everything and thus are all to be held responsible for the failings of anyone else who happens to be an atheist.

[trotsky]

4. Well we all know, mr blur...

that the meme about atheists agreeing on everything is a cute but ultimately failed attempt to deflect from the problems with religion. The difference being, of course, that declaring oneself a Catholic means more than that you just believe in a god. Or three. It means you adhere to a set of teachings, that you acknowledge the power and legitimacy of an institution and its leaders, and their actions.

There is nothing like that in atheism, naturally, but it's the only response frustrated little impotent rage-filled minds can come up with.

[trotsky]

2. My wife is from the South, and you aren't overstating a thing.

She has said on many occasions when you meet someone new, the first question after names have been exchanged is, "Where do you go to church?"

[mr blur]

3. Wow. Do you know, in my life no-one has ever asked me that.

Or even "if. . ." although I guess that where you are they just presume that you do.

[AlbertCat]

5. Do you know, in my life no-one has ever asked me that.

No one has asked are that either.... and I've lived in NC my whole life. I guess it matters who you associate with.

But there is a notion that "you should go to church"... whether you believe or not. It is a social thing.

And of course the church is one of the wealthiest and most powerful institutions in a small agricultural town ....anywhere.

It's really more of an urban/rural thing....everywhere. Since most of the South is rural (and most of the mid-West... which is very like the South)... well, you get where I'm going.

Also, fundies were not taken too seriously when I was growing up (60's and 70s) but that changed.... especially when a black man was elected president.

[awoke_in_2003]

9. You may be right

I live in the DFW metroplex and have never been asked where I go to church. I have had a lot of co-workers, however, openly discuss their church going activities

[onager]

6. Well, tell her "howdy" for me!

I've mentioned before that I often twirl the radio dial on Sunday mornings, practicing a little Recreational Xianity. I listen to both Black and White preachers. At least until they piss me off so much I have to change the station.

This area has some massive social problems the churches might be able to help with.

e.g., South Carolina just recently re-claimed its title as the #1 state for domestic violence against women. Drugs, especially meth, and the associated crimes are a huge ongoing problem. So is DUI, which seems to claim the lives of younger drivers almost every weekend.

Yet I generally hear the local preachers only ranting about 2 social issues - gay rights and women's reproductive rights.

[Lars39]

7. It's either that or you get the "who's your daddy?" pegging question.

[Curmudgeoness]

8. In my community,

almost all social functions in the black community revolve around the church. Not so much in the white community, although it is still an issue.....when I returned here after years away, my saying was "you have two options for meeting people here, church and bars". So it must be worse in the black community. I know that it is hard to be openly atheist. I am sure that it is not easy for her, and I was sad to read that when blacks do show up at meetings, etc., they are not welcomed. Seriously? I hope that doesn't happen often.