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Related: About this forumBlack atheists say their concerns have been overlooked for too long
By Kimberly Winston | Religion News Service October 9 at 11:29 AM
Do black atheists have different concerns than white atheists?
Absolutely, say organizers of a first-of-its-kind conference to be held by atheists of color in Los Angeles this weekend. And, they add, it’s about time those issues got some attention.
Called “Moving Social Justice,” the conference will tackle topics beyond the usual atheist conference fare of confronting religious believers and promoting science education. Instead, organizers hope to examine issues of special interest to nonwhite atheists, especially the ills rooted in economic and social inequality.
“Atheism is not a monolithic, monochromatic movement,” said Sikivu Hutchinson, an atheist activist, author and founder of Los Angeles’ Black Skeptics, one member of a coalition of black atheist and humanist groups staging the conference.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/black-atheists-say-their-concerns-have-been-overlooked-for-too-long/2014/10/09/051d9e04-4fc9-11e4-877c-335b53ffe736_story.html
https://www.facebook.com/events/259183107587755/
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AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Look carefully:
"one member of a coalition of black atheist and humanist groups staging the conference."
Atheism is a single-issue proposition. That bit in bold? THAT is a multi-spectrum, broad based philosophy/movement to address the social inequality, justice/inequal law enforcement/sentencing, racism, and all the other elements of the 'human condition', specific to ANY individual racial group, or humanity in general.
If you're looking to address issues like those called out above, Humanism, or other secular orgs are the tool to do it. 'Atheism' is not.
Right tool for the right job.
edhopper
(33,625 posts)Black people, whatever their religious beliefs, would have different concerns.
When Republican atheists have different concerns from Democratic atheists, does the atheism have anything to do with it?
Goblinmonger
(22,340 posts)
rug
(82,333 posts)“By addressing issues that are culturally and politically relevant to communities of color, we are addressing a range of things that are not typically addressed within the mainstream atheist movement.”
The conference is unusual for an atheist gathering in another important way — its lineup of speakers includes members of the religious community. Hutchinson, often an outspoken critic of religion, described the conference as “effectively an interfaith conference.”
“The vast majority of people of color in the U.S. are religious, not only due to culture and history but because of persistent segregation in the U.S.,” Hutchinson said. “Most communities of color don’t have access to the kinds of social, recreational and economic resources provided by secular institutions and nonprofits in predominantly white, affluent neighborhoods. So in order to be relevant to communities of color . . . atheists and humanists of color must collaborate with progressive religious organizations.”
Do try to keep up.
bravenak
(34,648 posts)On Atheism. I just do not believe in gods. Any of them. Unless I make them up myself for fictional purposes. Being black is another good reason to be an Atheist. Our gods were replaced when we got here and we were christianized by force, culture stolen and all. I cannot believe in a god that made Christians think it is or was okay to kill or harm others who they considered savages or believed in different gods. Religion was used as an excuse to to horrible thing to people who look like me.
Manifestor_of_Light
(21,046 posts)To a degree not seen in the white churches except in the large congregations and megachurches.
I would think that it would be harder to be a Black atheist than a white one, due to the reasons bravenak has mentioned.
It's still just about impossible to mention it when you're a white atheist, at least in my experience as a white atheist.
I've had white folks come up and butt into conversations and ask me if I believe in heaven and telling me I'm wrong and that I'm going to hell. They're very rude. I don't tell people my beliefs without being asked, and nobody asks, but they think they have to save me due to the Great Commission.
If they tell me I'm going to hell, I say, "Well, all the cool people are going to be there, like Mark Twain!" with great enthusiasm.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)or so says some of the straight, white, male atheists.
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)
Cartoonist
(7,323 posts)I can only speak from the white perspective, so I welcome the views of people of color.
A few years ago California held one of those hate initiatives to deny gays their rights. It won. I was disgusted to see white opponents of the measure blame black churches for the outcome. As I saw it, the Mormon church was the biggest money player in that fight.
