Posted by Hemant Mehta in Here’s some black history you never heard about in school.
Many of the great African-American leaders of the early 20th century were not religious people! This was surprising to me when I heard it considering the level of religiosity you see in the black community now.
Mike Estes, a wonderful speaker, goes into detail about this history using the leaders’ own words and writings in this episode (mp3) of the Infidel Guy radio show.
Go listen!
[tags]black history month, African-American, freethinkers, atheist, atheism, religion, Mike Estes, Infidel Guy[/tags]
[...] h/t: Friendly Atheist [...]
I was shocked initially when the Infidel guy noted he was extremely rare, black and atheist. It’s true but it’s just as slim finding a female atheist.
Hmm. That doesn’t sound right to me, but I don’t know for sure. It’d be interesting to see some stats. Anyone ever seen a breakdown of non-theists (Lori Lipman Brown’s favorite “umbrella” term for atheists, humanists, secularists, et al) by race, gender and other factors - like maybe geography and education level?
I know that I see lots of women at the Skeptics Society meetings but very few people of color. Often, but not always, skeptics are non-theists.
I’ve recently come across a couple of African-American atheists. One calls himself PFunk, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WHf5HFDk10, and the other I think I met here, Greydon Square, http://www.thecomptoneffect.com/.
How about black female atheists? There have to be some well-known women out there in the secular community.
I never knew finding a female atheist was “slim.” It doesn’t seem that way to me in the least bit.
I put Mike Estes in touch with Infidel Guy Reggie Finley after meeting Mike in Washington DC and hearing his presentation on the role of black freethinkers in the early civil rights movement. After the DC event, Mike was in Philadelphia, giving a similar talk to my group, the Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia.
I was surprised that Mike had never been an IG guest before, and I promised to make the introduction. I’m so glad that Reggie had him on. What a great show. Perfect for Black History Month! Why don’t they teach this stuff in school?
I keep reading this on various blogs but it has not been my experience at all. I also hear that there are no female science fiction fans or female techie geeks. But again, that is not my experience.
karen,
Usually I go to adherents.com for an answer but I couldn’t find a breakdown there of male/female.
I found this chart at the bottom of the article.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2006-09-11-religion-survey_x.htm
A look at religious affiliations across the USA:
Baylor sociologists broke down religious affiliation by region, gender, race and age (percentages):
Gender Race Age Education
West Midwest South East Total Male Female White Black 18-30 31-44 45-64 65+ High school or less Some college or more
Black Protestant 1.3 5.6 7.2 5.0 5.0 2.8 6.9 0 62.5 3.8 5.4 3.9 7.3 5.0 3.0
Evangelical Protestant 31.7 33.7 50.3 13.1 33.6 30.0 36.7 35.4 9.5 39.0 34.9 31.3 33.1 45.4 23.5
Mainline Protestant 17.7 26.0 19.3 26.0 22.1 22.1 22.1 24.1 7.7 20.1 17.6 22.5 28.1 18.0 29.0
Catholic 19.2 22.1 11.5 35.1 21.2 23.8 18.9 22.8 5.0 10.1 23.0 23.7 19.9 22.0 21.4
Jewish 2.2 1.4 1.9 4.7 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.6 3.7 2.7 1.9 2.7 2.9 2.3 3.6
Other 10.3 3.0 2.7 4.6 4.9 6.0 3.9 4.3 6.0 5.7 5.8 4.8 3.5 2.1 6.7
Unaffiliated 17.6 8.3 7.1 11.6 10.8 12.8 9.0 10.8 5.7 18.6 11.4 11.1 5.4 5.2 12.8
Source: Baylor Religion Survey, margin of error +/- 4 percentage points
Would saying it is slim chances of finding an atheist female in Texas more correct? It sure seems like it.
I’m one! *raises hand*
Spin cycle,
May I ask what part of TX you are in?
It is very true the evil white man whipped it inot the AFRICAN SLAVE.
wehn africans leardesd how to read;they found out in exudus that they were suppose to be treated the same a the racist white master. the afircan man decide that he was set free because of his beleivef in the bibble ; when in fact it was abrahm deseprate to when the civil war . After the war was one Abraham Lincoln kept his promise and freed the slave; but, yet he wanted to go back on what he [promised; but he was killed first before he could commit the act. Blacks are brainwashed to believe in a God. their minds are still enslaved. But, they have leardn tho adapt and use and manipulate the white race with his own world of god.
Thank you
[...] has also given wonderful presentations on African-American atheists in the early 20th century. It’s fascinating to find out how non-religious the black leaders [...]
I am a 23 year old black woman and a atheist and proud of it!
I just picked up a book called “The Atheist’s Bible.” AS an AA or black male, I could catch a lot of flack for it in public but I don’t care. I’m free from all the guilt-ridden constructs that define religion and can say that it has removed a huge burden from my conciousness. The hard part comes from not being able to really connect with black women because of my views, but oh well…
At 30 years old, I’m tired of the riddles and rules, and exceptions and contradictions that I’ve received from the clergy. Even with my family being ministers and devout christians, I could not force myself to believe in illogical myths.
Being free isn’t easy, but damn it feels good.
[...] it’s always fun to mention this little tidbit: According to [the Black American Free Thought Association], [...]
I am a 34year old african american atheist. I use to whimp-out b4 and claim agnostic but now i am a full blown nonbeliever (free from religious brain wash) and love to debate with theist. I have a 14yr. daughter and i’ve let her explore many religions but she (pressure free) has a feel for atheism (so far) i’ve let her know that we are not politicians she can change her mind as often as she like just dont believe a book is true if does not have any reference and use the five senses (sure hope she stay wise tho.) lol!
My boy freind is 25 and when i met him he shared my views; however, he had never heard of the terms atheist, freethinker, etc. It still felt good to know that he was not on that “Eye in the sky foolishness.”
I live in the mid-west (south of the Mason Dixon line actually) and where I live, it seems like every Black person over the age of 40 is superstitious and I do mean superstitious. Under 40 they are either less superstitious or non-believers. The older they are, the more superstitious they are and generally less educated. So maybe the chart on that site isn’t too far off. Of course, but the same token, the Evangelicals (White or Black) are loons.
Well, I’m a 25yr old African-American female and I’m an atheist. Albeit, I don’t know any other black female atheists.
Oh yeah and I live in Arlington, TX.
Welcome Melody. You’re under 40 and just showed my point about that group being non-religious.
While not many profess to be atheist, I have heard “against organized religion”, “agnostic”, “don’t go to church”, “not Christian” etc etc. I actually think this is a good and healthy thing that the younger generation isn’t falling for superstition. Now if more of the older age group would follow suit.
Here’s another black female atheist. I’m 25 and live in Southern California. I’m not exactly out to my mother (who has become more religious and intrusive as time goes on) or her family, but my father and friends know. My current boyfriend’s beliefs could be described as deist — naturally he’s very accepting. It’s surprising how much we agree on matters of religion.
Mriana — the same is mostly true here, although the people I know tend to be more private in their faith and accepting of others’ views, owing to the university atmosphere. My former timekeeper (who turns 60 this year, and is a very cool person) actually asked me why I didn’t believe in God — I was gratified that she cared to do so and to listen to my reasons instead of condemning me on the spot.
Z, I have a similar problem. I’m not closed off to dating or committing to a black man (or woman), but finding fellow geeks or people who can give me the space I need is hard enough that I’d be foolish to restrict my choices by skin color. I’ve mostly given up on finding another black atheist, period. I’ve only met one in my entire lifetime (my first boyfriend).
I’m a 37-year-old agnostic living in Brooklyn, N.Y., and I finally relinquished religion after realizing the questions I posed about our existence certainly couldn’t be answered by people who claim to know God personally. (i.e., the Pope, T.D. Jakes, Creflo Dollar — come on: Creflo Dollar?)
Most black folk aren’t even interested in hearing my take on things, so I live and let live. But it sure would be nice to meet a group of blacks who operate by reason and critical thought. Maybe it could be the start of real change for us.
What an interesting thread this is. I’ve often pondered long and hard about how many black atheists in whatever part of the world would willingly identify themselves as such. I’m African, female, and atheist. As with many of the black people who’ve commented on this thread, I know of no other African atheists, male or female. I am certain to be publicly ridiculed and accorded treatment usually reserved for prostitutes when my atheism becomes more publicised, and this by my friends and family. Not great to look forward to, but the freedom resulting from living outside the culture and religion bubble is too exhilarating, guiltless and intellectually stimulating than any perceived communal satisfaction to be gained from doing what’s been done by Africans for centuries.
My atheism has had a massive impact on every facet of my life. For one, where I had previously dated only black men, I find myself a lot more open to people from different geographical origins, so it’s highly likely that the next person I date won’t be black. I’m in the process of making new friends, people more like me in terms of being open to reason and logic. I don’t expect any of them to be black - it’s just not something the overwhelming majority of us are raised to treasure, I think. The former (religious and cultural) me would’ve been scared at the prospect of losing all my African friends, but the strength my atheism (and humanism) gives me simply makes me go heigh-ho, such is life…just another reason why religion needs to be eradicated..
Meet Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a Somali by birth and one of the coolest atheists out there. She’s written a wonderful book called “Infidel.”
Lol, I am actually reading ‘Infidel’ so I guess I DO know a black Atheist. Silly me, I was referring to black people I know personally… Even on a wider scale, it’s slim pickings really…
[...] Estes, who knows quite a bit about African American history (and the history of Freethinking in that culture), was gracious enough to share his opinion on the [...]
Male, 27, African, Atheist. I’m not sure how many others there are out there but damn I always feel that Africans and African Americans are just a tad too religious.
I don’t think anyone is claiming that there are NO female atheists, or NO black atheists.
They just say they are more rare. I’m not really sure if that is true or not, but what has been true for me is that I only ever meet them on the internet.
I live in Chicago, and I’ve all but given up on dating because it seems like every woman I meet is either a fairly ardent believer or a crazy new-age person.
So I think it might not be that there is some imbalance… it’s just that we can’t find you, or never meet you.
P.S. IG is awesome. Go make some pledge to his show or sign up for access to his archives. He was podcasting before podcasting was invented, 9 years ago!
I’m a black female atheist and know very few black atheists in my own circle.
Unfortunately black communities, giving a nod to recent historical experiences, have held onto to a belief that ‘better must come’ and ‘we’ll leave things to god’.
I grew up in a home where religion wasn’t taken too seriously and my mother took us to the ‘clap-happy-fling yourself on the floor-whilst-speaking-in-tongues’ type of churches and would point out the recent transgressions of those who appeared the most devout and self-righteous.
Very amusing and sad at the same time.
With the advent of the internet and instant global communication people are becoming more aware of themselves and the world we live in. Beliefs in the supernatural are being challenged much more vociferously than in the past and rightly so.
Black people who reject all forms of the supernatural are beginning to become aware of others who share the same views and we will see more connections being made in order to educate ourselves and others towards reason and rationale and away from superstitious myths/legends.
I am atheist and even share my views on my blog:
http://www.blackwomanthinks.blogspot.com
Great to hear so many younger people here throwing away the traditions based on myths and legends - a positive step for the future!