31 October 2010

Godless and Black

If you are a believer you may not be aware that black atheists exist or even 'People of Colour' who do not  believe in god/s. As such we can feel isolated and cut off from the mainstream religious communities that provide emotional support when life gets tough.
As atheist (a- without, theist- god) I am so aware of the position I have found myself in as I make no bones about my non-belief. It is not something that I hide nor boast about. I don't see myself as especially clever, not even a great conversationalist but I let people know when necessary that I don't buy into any of it.
This has created some difficult situations, broken friendships, stilted conversations and excluded me from religious ceremonies, to some extent. In the main, the religious pity me as if I had done something deliberately to ensure I would never receive their 'truth'. Some have jumped back in shock that someone could be so stupid as to not believe in god. Whatever the reaction, however many prayers have been said, I am a staunch, firm believer that this life is for now and the so called heaven and hell is right here now. When we die we die. Full stop. There is no proof of anything else.
My life is richer, freer and I take life as it comes without expecting help from 'on high'.
The title of this post is 'Godless and Black' and a blog of the same name is one I would recommend you to visit, if you haven't already done so. The writer is fascinating and makes so many excellent points and is a seasoned writer. Visit him and let him know what you think. Godless and Black
We are not alone. More people are waking up to the fact that the religious texts are not infallible. Black people have lost so much in the name of a myth and yet we don't change course.
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." In other words, don't fight against your oppressors, don't seek justice here on earth, just be meek and mild, keep praising whilst people take inhumane liberties against you and your generations to come. The only coffers that will be fattened do not belong to you.

10 comments:

jeanlivingsimple said...

You make great points!!!

Jasmine said...

As an atheist myself living in a country where religion takes hold of every aspect of a person's entire life I can totally relate to the isolation. Good thing my partner and I found each other.

Sikivu said...

I am completing a book on black atheists, public morality and gender politics and would like your feeback on the question of woman of color feminism and atheism/humanism. If you are interested please contact me at shutch2396@aol.com. I didn't see an email contact for you on the site.
Thanks,
Sikivu Hutchinson

Augustine said...

Study the history sometime of William Wilberforce.

C Woods said...

There are so many ways people find to feel superior to others. I'm white, you're brown. I'm Christian, you're Muslim. I'm straight, you're gay. I'm thin, you're fat. I'm married, you're single. I'm young, you're old. I'm French, you're British. I'm rich, you're poor. I'm Conservative, you're Liberal. I'm a believer, you're atheistic. And, of course, there are those who would turn any of these around: I'm Muslim, you're Christian.

I have many friends and acquaintances of many different religions, nationalities, races, sexual preferences, political views, sizes, shapes, ages, colors and degrees of wealth. I try to look at a person's character and not at their labels.

Wouldn't it be nice if we would all see that we have more in common than we have differences?

Apanage21 said...

I am also a black atheist - my blog: apanage21.blogspot.com. I agree with you about this brother.

Pinoy Working Mom said...

Yes I agree with C Woods, it would be better if we focus on what is common to us rather than the differences that we have. That way, we can live together in harmony.

It's just a matter of respect to everyone's belief.

Anonymous said...

I love ur mind zee if only I can meet an atheist female in montreal .street_theaters@hotm. u know,deep convos with black is hard to come bye

todasascores said...

Hi, me again! Great post! I am not an atheist, but I feel almost offended by religions and religious... I really dont like churchs and their leaders. But I try to look at someone's character and after choose if this person should enter my life or not... Loved what C Woods said, totally agree... kisses

Anonymous said...

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for justice’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Matt 5: 5-6, 10

http://lawreligionethics.net/2010/06/blessed-are-those-who-hunger-and-thirst-for-justice/index.htm