Comments on: Faith in Color: Racism and Atheism

By: Joan

Joan — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:17:49 +0000

I don´t have the time to write a large comment, i will only say, that i was racist until i left my religion, as a free thinker atheist, i m not racist or homophobic anymore.

By: Avenger XL

Avenger XL — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:10:12 +0000

As a black male Atheist living in the bible belt. I understand why you may question this but it is valid because why would you take on a faith that is so foreign to your own heritage or beliefs. Belief in the supernatural is dangerous anyway look at what’s going on in the middle east it is embolded by belief in the supernatural. A few people are controlling the masses through their fears and tribal groups using religion as a primary lightening rod. The old I got god on my side argument or god must be truely with who wins but that is all stupid.

I also realize many black women use religion as a form of therapy because of the issues they go through on a daily basis but I think you could free yourself of these notions by other means a lot better. Those are only my thoughts and not facts but I would suggest you try it.

By: J>

J> — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:58:48 +0000

I fail to see how you made the jump from atheism to the notion that we are all socialists, though at least you did note that uniformity of thought was the reason for the secularism of the USSR and Mao’s regime

By: pteranodon

pteranodon — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 06:08:15 +0000

I have to admit that this new evangelical atheist movement is pretty perplexing until you remember that Lenin and Mao banned religion. In the world of the socialist, there can be only one correct way of thinking.

By: jamie

jamie — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 21:05:29 +0000

The reason atheists like myself use slavery as an argument against Christianity is because there are several passages in the bible (Leviticus 25:44-46, Exodus 21:2-6 and Luke 12:47-48 to name but three) that condone slavery, and it is therefore a very good rebuttal against those Christians who claim atheism will bring about immorality and degrade humanity at the expense of religious faith.

“Come now, I certainly wouldn’t mind white atheists trying to destroy my faith by philosophical and existentialist arguments. When they argue religion with white folks, that’s the route they PROBABLY take, right? So why do they always use race and slavery to knock down MY little tower of religion?”

Your use of the word ‘probably’ robs these two questions of much of their credibility, since it implies you have no evidence to support them, but are making assumptions that atheists (and possibly people in general) will discuss separate topics depending on the ethnicity of the person they are talking to.

In any case, I’m sure you would mind people using philosophical or existentialist arguments to ‘destroy your faith’, just as I take umbrage with people attempting to convert me through similar polemic discourse. We always take offense at challenges to our opinions, otherwise what’s the point of having them?

By: White Atheists: Racist, Or Just Sort Of Dicks? « Richard Dawkins is a Douchebag

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 06:58:52 +0000

[...] ran across this interesting article by Carole McDonnell describing some of her experiences, as a black Christian, dealing with white [...]

By: Zee Harrison

Zee Harrison — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 03:12:15 +0000

I am black, female and atheist.

My view is I have seen and experienced the damaging effects of belief in the supernatural (Christianity is included in this category).
Belief in the supernatural prevents people, black or otherwise, taking responsibility for themselves. The bible is a document which has been created and edited for the specific purpose of controlling people, in relation to slavery it was used as a tool of oppression – to calm the masses of slave revolts – and it is still working.

I do believe that we should share our views openly – but we should now shift our focus to putting aside historical wrongs as much as possible (on all sides) and focusing on the here and now, ‘living in the moment’ and our future.
I don’t believe in ‘heaven’ or ‘hell’, I don’t believe that when we die we will be judged on what we have done in our lives. When we die we are dead. We have no evidence to the contrary.
I understand the reasons why people believe and I’m sure a belief in the supernatural provides some (temporary) comfort to people in times of stress, etc. But I refuse to believe that the loving ‘god’ is the same one who allows innocent children to be striken with painful illnesses like cancer, to be drowned like in Katrina, to be born into famine stiuations, to be born with and be afflicted by HIV/AIDS…the list could go on.

I would like people to study the history of their beliefs and that means reading books by people like Joseph Campbell (he talks about the origins of myths and symbolism), Carl Sagan, Bertrand Russell, Neil Tyson deGrasse (- more info about him at:
http://www.rationalatheist.com/biographies/Neil_deGrasse_Tyson.html).

The information is out there. Living free of the supernatural – all forms – means living free, choosing your own path and does not make you immoral, debased, evil or any other negative words which theists have been taught in order to perpetuate the memes which has been visited upon humanity.
I would be very interested in all views – for or against my comments!
Thank you for your time and also for this site as I know just how much is involved in creating and maintaining a good blog/site!
Regards,
Zee

By: Carole

Carole — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 13:59:50 +0000

Many cultures have been involved in slavery.

It’s part of the human condition.

Western Europeans who were slave-holders were racists but Christianity is not racist. If one reads the Bible, one sees that Christianity was such a tiny unimportant religion during the Roman Empire that they had no power to change or fight against slavery. Yet, they were the only religion where slaves and masters sat and ate together as brothers.

The culture with the longest slave trading history is the Arabs, and Islam. Their city Marrakech was built on slavery. And Even now slavery is rampant in the Sudan. Yet Americans don’t seem to get worked up about this.

Americans have short and provincial memories. They don’t think about the past and they don’t think about what is distant. They think only about the here and now. I know many people — blacks, especially– who speak hateful words against Christianity because of slavery. Yet, they never seem to show the same anger about Islam and slavery. And they don’t seem to get particularly worked up about present slavery…only past slavery. So, it’s apparent that they simply don’t like Christianity. It’s not about slavery.

By: L. L.

L. L. — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 12:31:02 +0000

So, the obvious reality that christianity and slavery are connected is so inconvenient to you that you feel offended? You as a christian don’t want to be bothered with reality? Typical.

By: Alan

Alan — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 06:23:52 +0000

No one should be criticised for their belief because it is a very personal and distinctive understanding that can only be explained through an individuals life experiences. Question: Does anyone go back further in realization that ancient tribal faiths were of original belief. Christianity was forced upon many and that Jesus was depicted as fair skinned with blond hair? Frankly, from that region would be more likely with a darker complexion and hair. I am by the way of religous belief. Just some food for thought.