As a fellow Black atheist I must say that I believe your effort and energy is misguided. You lack focus and your organization has the potential to be much more than just youtube rants.
I have a lot of respect for the black atheists i (very rarely) come across, religion appears to be completely sociological, none of us are born with a specifice religion, we inherit them from our parents and our peers and you can see by looking at the US just how strong this impact is!! I grew up in an atheist family in England so it was always easy for me to embrace science .etc. but for a black American the pressure you must have been under to accept christianity must have been very imposing!
Just head on down to you local atheist gathering and make friends. Who cares if you are the only black person there. After all we are all human. What is wrong with a black person having nothing but white friends? Fuck skin-color dude. Just my opinion, fellow atheist.
I don't think it's a good idea to make a distinction between atheists based on the colour of their skin... black community, white community... can't we just have a 'human' community?
That said, I realise social pressures make this easier said than done. But it is definitely what we should be working towards.
That's the wonderful thing about science, it shows us that everyone on Earth comes from Africa originally.
But if you think this will help more 'people' think rationally, go for it.
Thanks to science the gaps god can hide in are getting fewer and smaller all the time. In the future god will be left to reside in mythology and it's believers will become irrelevant and simply an amusing remnant.
Ayana, Jews as a whole respond to Jewish Humanists in a truly parallel way, insisting that the particular strain of Yehovaism left standing after the Maccabees overcame Jewish Epicureans 1900 years ago is the end-all of Jewish tribal identity and the source of survival and progress. I think synergy between the communities is possible, though each needs a level of established confidence.
Religion's stength is its ability to adapt to any circumstance. Just within my lifetime, I've watched the dress code for men go from suits and ties to jeans to shorts & flip-flops, as an example. I truly believe that if enough people showed up in church with bikinis and g-strings, the pastors would just roll with it. Heck, they'd even find a verse in the NT, and re-interprete it to show show how Jesus was actually crucified in a g-string.
I imagine a Chicano who came like you did would have a similar experience. I had a pretty lonely time of it at first because I was so tied into my church and all my friends where believers. Being an introvert didn't help much either. But things are getting better and there are plenty of people who don't care. There are some believers who can be cool about it as well.
I just got back from a family wedding. I loved being with my family, and I loved the celebratory aspect of it, but frankly there were some moments where I practically wanted to puke at the religiousity of it all. It tainted the experience somewhat. I don't know if I'm the only atheist in my family or if there are others hiding it like I am.
@MissLoveTantei91 I feel the same way at family/friend functions. I'm sure there are others that are in the closet, just like you. I found out that a few of my family members were atheists by simply being open on my stance. (It's kind of hard, at this point to hide it though - LOL).
What's so hard to understand. You are an atheist that wants to work on the people/culture you are most familiar with because you can easier relate to it. Religious blacks will have an easier time and be more open (probably not by much lol) hearing criticism about their belief from another black person as oppose to someone out side of it. I think that will hold true for most.
@BlackAtheistsAmerica question i feel like you feel,so how come i never get a response from you as a black atheist.you seem to do well talking to white atheist.just a question sista
@BlackAtheistsAmerica were is your fan page,and what side of the arguments is silly.i see nothing silly about reproduction,its the most important thing to the human race.keep up the good work power to the great black woman of the world
The name of our group is The Atheist Community of Austin. Our show is the Atheist Experience . We have done over 700 live call in shows. Google us on you tube. Love having you aboard. Keith
Thanks for this Ayanna,posted to my FB....did you hear my song about robert g. ingersoll yet called Freethinker? I got a song about god and the pope that I'm recording next week,new freethought mc album to be released mid-august.Keep up they
@BlackAtheistsAmerica This subject has been on my mind a lot in the past few months. Sometimes I think I shouldn't worry about them and just let them self-destruct but then I immediately go back to wanting to help them. I don't know what to do.
@sqnyster84 Kind = culture. If pointing out the fact that there are different cultures makes me a racist in your book (albeit an incorrect use of the word), then yes.
If you care to educate yourself on the lack of diversity among the atheist community, you can watch my video - Why Black Atheists of America or other videos on here by minority atheists who discuss the issue of solidarity.
@painlessreborn verily, magic is the religion of the powerless.
But the manner in which it appeals to, and exercises power among different segments of the poor and down trodden, and to those not so poor and down trodden, varies with the culture and history of the people represented.
Breaking those traditions and mental bonds requires a variety of approaches and even different starting points. Same is true if you were trying to reach white Southerners, which includes a shit load of poor folks
@gamutman I have a video entitled: "Maryland Same Sex Marriage" and another entitled "LBGT and Atheism," which kind of discuss the relationship. In the latter video it is discussed in the comments, not really in the video.
one of the reasons Christianity has been so successful here in America is that it has found a way to appeal to pretty well every ethnic/cultural group.
The one flavour is good enough for everyone idea is just dead wrong. People have different sets of references and different approaches work for different people.
Too often we feel that which appeals to us has the same appeal and the same meaning to everyone else.
@r3ggi3000 Thank you! I have been talking to a number of people from the Caribbean. We are trying to put together a support group for non-believers. We are in the very early stages. I will do an update via video when we are up and running.
@BlackAtheistsAmerica I do feel very alone as a young black atheist. You did nail it on that. I think there *might* be a lot more black atheists than are letting on but they are either afraid to come out or don't know how to describe themselves or articulate themselves. A lot of black people don't know what an atheist is. Look at Steve Harvey's interview on CNN.
@damasta00138 I agree with that. It's pretty much the "Follow the Crowd" mentality with black people. A lot of black people are very sincere in their believes for Christianity. But, I feel many are afraid to lose their social groups by staying what they really think and "Coming out of the Closet" for lack of better term. It's up to people like us to be brave, stand strong, and stay with we truly and honestly believe.
@kberka I am the founder of an organization that has the same - Black Atheists of America. We have support from activists of all backgrounds. Just as I am a supporter of groups that target other demographics.
If you don't mind me asking, what is the name of your group?
Is it possible to be apart of a group and not see color as a separate reality. We know we all don't look the same, and don't talk the same as other people do. My basic fear is that any movement from one belief to another, and to segregate that belief into smaller groups is repeating what started separation in the first place. If we continue to view ourselves as black, white,yellow, red,or brown, we are falling away from where we are trying to go. try seeing yourself differently; I do. Tks.
@themakerofmine No, I do not believe it is possible in the American society. It actually does the opposite of what you have defined. It brings people together while highlighting issues that are specific to the black community. The "one size fits all" approach will fail and has failed in the past. I have another video entitled "Why Black Atheists of America" which goes into more detail.
...less money compared to their white counter-part due to lower standards for educations and many other factors. Yes, this is a behavior which has been indoctrinated within our culture. But, at this point in history, we have no one but to blame but ourselves. We have to uncover our eyes from the ignorance and educate ourselves for the better of ourselves and of mankind. We're all in this together no matter the color. It's time we put an end to this way of destructive thinking.
...In chains. The Civil War ended and slavery was eventually abolished. Blacks were let free and the only thing they could do is what they've been taught by the slave masters. Eat nasty food, work for penny, and praise god. Nowadays, Black people are experiencing a bit irony to this tragic comedy. Many black people they hold fast to their religion have turn against the rise of social justice issues like Gay Marriage. Many black people still eat food that destroys their bodies, and work for...
You know it's very interesting how the culture of the black community have come about since the time of the foundation of America. First, we have slavery. A time where every single African person was stripped of all things that was of their identity in africa, and indoctrinated into a new culture holding Christianity as a vital part of that culture. The Civil War was an interesting point where the very book that indoctrinated slaves was used to make an argument that wanted to keep slaves...
Hail BlackAthiestaAmerica!
I invoke the memory of Butterfly McQueen. May your group grow and thrive
bookwormbandit 2 months ago
@bookwormbandit Thanks so much!!
BlackAtheistsAmerica 2 months ago
As a fellow Black atheist I must say that I believe your effort and energy is misguided. You lack focus and your organization has the potential to be much more than just youtube rants.
MrBlaq 2 months ago
@MrBlaq My organization IS much larger than YouTube. I do not understand your commentary. Are you familiar with our programs?
BlackAtheistsAmerica 2 months ago
@BlackAtheistsAmerica I replied to you via private message.
MrBlaq 2 months ago
I have a lot of respect for the black atheists i (very rarely) come across, religion appears to be completely sociological, none of us are born with a specifice religion, we inherit them from our parents and our peers and you can see by looking at the US just how strong this impact is!! I grew up in an atheist family in England so it was always easy for me to embrace science .etc. but for a black American the pressure you must have been under to accept christianity must have been very imposing!
yunged 4 months ago
Just head on down to you local atheist gathering and make friends. Who cares if you are the only black person there. After all we are all human. What is wrong with a black person having nothing but white friends? Fuck skin-color dude. Just my opinion, fellow atheist.
FrozenPetrolPie 4 months ago
I don't think it's a good idea to make a distinction between atheists based on the colour of their skin... black community, white community... can't we just have a 'human' community?
That said, I realise social pressures make this easier said than done. But it is definitely what we should be working towards.
That's the wonderful thing about science, it shows us that everyone on Earth comes from Africa originally.
But if you think this will help more 'people' think rationally, go for it.
postscarcity 4 months ago
Many Muslims have their religion tightly integrated into their own culture, that phenomenon is not unique to African-Americans.
Akira625 4 months ago
Black women are hot, smart black women are even hotter
AndrianGA 4 months ago
Thank you for sharing this point!
KajaeKs 5 months ago
"Sky-Daddy?" Haha, love it! I can't tell you how much I welcome and am inspired by Black Atheists. Keep up the good work! Much love!
MykeeSteen 6 months ago
Comment removed
TPaul1990 6 months ago
Sky daddy XD
Juillardl 7 months ago
Thanks to science the gaps god can hide in are getting fewer and smaller all the time. In the future god will be left to reside in mythology and it's believers will become irrelevant and simply an amusing remnant.
scotttebben 7 months ago
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scotttebben 7 months ago
Ayana, Jews as a whole respond to Jewish Humanists in a truly parallel way, insisting that the particular strain of Yehovaism left standing after the Maccabees overcame Jewish Epicureans 1900 years ago is the end-all of Jewish tribal identity and the source of survival and progress. I think synergy between the communities is possible, though each needs a level of established confidence.
DrMattMusic 7 months ago
LOL!! All praise the Sky Dady!!
Noxol101 7 months ago
Religion's stength is its ability to adapt to any circumstance. Just within my lifetime, I've watched the dress code for men go from suits and ties to jeans to shorts & flip-flops, as an example. I truly believe that if enough people showed up in church with bikinis and g-strings, the pastors would just roll with it. Heck, they'd even find a verse in the NT, and re-interprete it to show show how Jesus was actually crucified in a g-string.
Haywerth 8 months ago
I imagine a Chicano who came like you did would have a similar experience. I had a pretty lonely time of it at first because I was so tied into my church and all my friends where believers. Being an introvert didn't help much either. But things are getting better and there are plenty of people who don't care. There are some believers who can be cool about it as well.
MSPEL 8 months ago
I just got back from a family wedding. I loved being with my family, and I loved the celebratory aspect of it, but frankly there were some moments where I practically wanted to puke at the religiousity of it all. It tainted the experience somewhat. I don't know if I'm the only atheist in my family or if there are others hiding it like I am.
MissLoveTantei91 8 months ago
@MissLoveTantei91 I feel the same way at family/friend functions. I'm sure there are others that are in the closet, just like you. I found out that a few of my family members were atheists by simply being open on my stance. (It's kind of hard, at this point to hide it though - LOL).
BlackAtheistsAmerica 8 months ago
@BlackAtheistsAmerica Thanks. That was encouraging. Maybe at the next femily function I'll be more courageous.
MissLoveTantei91 8 months ago
What's so hard to understand. You are an atheist that wants to work on the people/culture you are most familiar with because you can easier relate to it. Religious blacks will have an easier time and be more open (probably not by much lol) hearing criticism about their belief from another black person as oppose to someone out side of it. I think that will hold true for most.
moety2 8 months ago
@moety2 This is actually the first video, I ever did. It was done before I formed the organization. We had to re-upload it.
BlackAtheistsAmerica 8 months ago
@BlackAtheistsAmerica Ahh. Well keep up the great work ; )
moety2 8 months ago
@BlackAtheistsAmerica question i feel like you feel,so how come i never get a response from you as a black atheist.you seem to do well talking to white atheist.just a question sista
ankhkakek 3 months ago
@ankhkakek See the Silly arguments: the law of reproduction post on our fan page.
BlackAtheistsAmerica 3 months ago
@BlackAtheistsAmerica were is your fan page,and what side of the arguments is silly.i see nothing silly about reproduction,its the most important thing to the human race.keep up the good work power to the great black woman of the world
ankhkakek 3 months ago
@ankhkakek Black Atheists Of America on facebook.
BlackAtheistsAmerica 3 months ago
Good on you.
The enslavement of human minds continues -- here in the 21st Century. Worldwide.
Fight that shit, young lady. However you can. Fight it. You are not alone.
is3it7lonar 8 months ago
The name of our group is The Atheist Community of Austin. Our show is the Atheist Experience . We have done over 700 live call in shows. Google us on you tube. Love having you aboard. Keith
kberka 8 months ago
@kberka Of course! I'm a fan of the show. I've been in correspondence with Jen, trying to set up a time for me to be a guest on NP.
BlackAtheistsAmerica 8 months ago
sorry,hit wrong button,meant to say keep up the good work!
mrtracysmith 8 months ago
Thanks for this Ayanna,posted to my FB....did you hear my song about robert g. ingersoll yet called Freethinker? I got a song about god and the pope that I'm recording next week,new freethought mc album to be released mid-august.Keep up they
mrtracysmith 8 months ago
@mrtracysmith Thanks! I will check it out!
BlackAtheistsAmerica 8 months ago
I don't care what color you are, I'm just glad your a rational freethinker.
Horathgar42 8 months ago
@BlackAtheistsAmerica This subject has been on my mind a lot in the past few months. Sometimes I think I shouldn't worry about them and just let them self-destruct but then I immediately go back to wanting to help them. I don't know what to do.
ManicRaider 8 months ago
In the meetings you are the only one of your KIND?
Are you racist?
sqnyster84 8 months ago
@sqnyster84 Kind = culture. If pointing out the fact that there are different cultures makes me a racist in your book (albeit an incorrect use of the word), then yes.
If you care to educate yourself on the lack of diversity among the atheist community, you can watch my video - Why Black Atheists of America or other videos on here by minority atheists who discuss the issue of solidarity.
BlackAtheistsAmerica 8 months ago
Enjoy TAM!
JoeDixon 8 months ago
@JoeDixon Thanks Joe and keep up with the good job with ur video's =)
BlackAtheistsAmerica 8 months ago
@painlessreborn verily, magic is the religion of the powerless.
But the manner in which it appeals to, and exercises power among different segments of the poor and down trodden, and to those not so poor and down trodden, varies with the culture and history of the people represented.
Breaking those traditions and mental bonds requires a variety of approaches and even different starting points. Same is true if you were trying to reach white Southerners, which includes a shit load of poor folks
MacNutz2 8 months ago
Have you ever made a video demonstrating the relationship black religion has in undermining homosexual rights advancement?
gamutman 8 months ago
@gamutman I have a video entitled: "Maryland Same Sex Marriage" and another entitled "LBGT and Atheism," which kind of discuss the relationship. In the latter video it is discussed in the comments, not really in the video.
BlackAtheistsAmerica 8 months ago
one of the reasons Christianity has been so successful here in America is that it has found a way to appeal to pretty well every ethnic/cultural group.
The one flavour is good enough for everyone idea is just dead wrong. People have different sets of references and different approaches work for different people.
Too often we feel that which appeals to us has the same appeal and the same meaning to everyone else.
MacNutz2 8 months ago
Good job! I'm Haitian and it is worst where I come from. We have a mountain to climb.
r3ggi3000 8 months ago
@r3ggi3000 Thank you! I have been talking to a number of people from the Caribbean. We are trying to put together a support group for non-believers. We are in the very early stages. I will do an update via video when we are up and running.
BlackAtheistsAmerica 8 months ago 2
The black atheist movement is becoming more and more progressive...people are beginning to think and not believe the irrationalities.
luciano9009 8 months ago
@luciano9009 Thankfully. The next generation will certainly be far more advanced than we are.
BlackAtheistsAmerica 8 months ago
Yeah we are few and far btw:(...I really appreciate you starting this organization
SandySweet575 8 months ago
@SandySweet575 Thank you. I'm happy to see that the numbers are growing. :-)
BlackAtheistsAmerica 8 months ago
Thanks. I really like your videos.
awatson945 8 months ago
@awatson945 Thank you. :-)
BlackAtheistsAmerica 8 months ago
@BlackAtheistsAmerica I do feel very alone as a young black atheist. You did nail it on that. I think there *might* be a lot more black atheists than are letting on but they are either afraid to come out or don't know how to describe themselves or articulate themselves. A lot of black people don't know what an atheist is. Look at Steve Harvey's interview on CNN.
damasta00138 8 months ago
@damasta00138 I agree with that. It's pretty much the "Follow the Crowd" mentality with black people. A lot of black people are very sincere in their believes for Christianity. But, I feel many are afraid to lose their social groups by staying what they really think and "Coming out of the Closet" for lack of better term. It's up to people like us to be brave, stand strong, and stay with we truly and honestly believe.
TyphoonThaReapa 8 months ago
I am a member of an atheists group that has black, white, and everywhere in be tween. We also have mixed marriages. Welcome aboard is out motto!
kberka 8 months ago
@kberka I am the founder of an organization that has the same - Black Atheists of America. We have support from activists of all backgrounds. Just as I am a supporter of groups that target other demographics.
If you don't mind me asking, what is the name of your group?
BlackAtheistsAmerica 8 months ago
Is it possible to be apart of a group and not see color as a separate reality. We know we all don't look the same, and don't talk the same as other people do. My basic fear is that any movement from one belief to another, and to segregate that belief into smaller groups is repeating what started separation in the first place. If we continue to view ourselves as black, white,yellow, red,or brown, we are falling away from where we are trying to go. try seeing yourself differently; I do. Tks.
themakerofmine 8 months ago
@themakerofmine No, I do not believe it is possible in the American society. It actually does the opposite of what you have defined. It brings people together while highlighting issues that are specific to the black community. The "one size fits all" approach will fail and has failed in the past. I have another video entitled "Why Black Atheists of America" which goes into more detail.
BlackAtheistsAmerica 8 months ago 2
...less money compared to their white counter-part due to lower standards for educations and many other factors. Yes, this is a behavior which has been indoctrinated within our culture. But, at this point in history, we have no one but to blame but ourselves. We have to uncover our eyes from the ignorance and educate ourselves for the better of ourselves and of mankind. We're all in this together no matter the color. It's time we put an end to this way of destructive thinking.
TyphoonThaReapa 8 months ago 2
...In chains. The Civil War ended and slavery was eventually abolished. Blacks were let free and the only thing they could do is what they've been taught by the slave masters. Eat nasty food, work for penny, and praise god. Nowadays, Black people are experiencing a bit irony to this tragic comedy. Many black people they hold fast to their religion have turn against the rise of social justice issues like Gay Marriage. Many black people still eat food that destroys their bodies, and work for...
TyphoonThaReapa 8 months ago
You know it's very interesting how the culture of the black community have come about since the time of the foundation of America. First, we have slavery. A time where every single African person was stripped of all things that was of their identity in africa, and indoctrinated into a new culture holding Christianity as a vital part of that culture. The Civil War was an interesting point where the very book that indoctrinated slaves was used to make an argument that wanted to keep slaves...
TyphoonThaReapa 8 months ago