Black Activists & Nonbelief Panel: "Why I left religion"

[@carterri04]

Wow! I love seeing and hearing non-believing black people. I have so much respect for them.

[@SPL0869]

It feels good to see young black atheists who have come out of religion. It’s going to save them a ton of time, money, heartache and the rest.

[@grumylynn]

Thank you for this panel with Black Atheists. It warmed my heart and encouraged me that you included POC in this discussion as equally important individuals in our world. We need to continue this. We can not continue the system of excluding people of color. I love this discussion so much.

[@charleBerglund]

Thanks for your comment, Cathy. I cannot afford to watch and listen to these longer discussions, and Im older. Samsung and Microsoft are starting to upset me.

[@charleBerglund]

Seems to be streaming faster maybe a upload of lower bite rate? Thanks, this is very good. Thanks

[@tayeishanunezbatres5413]

I’ve never heard of anything like this and my mind is blown that such a thing exists. I’ve had so many questions for so long. Thank you all for sharing.

[@longlivemegatron7259]

Fantastic panel. Black freethinkers are out there and are an important part of the overall freethinker community. They have unique experiences and ideas to bring to the table.

[@Dacky1989]

I am a non-believer and have been one since I was 20 years old. I just turned 33 so that's over 12 years. I was never religious. I was brought up in a religious household.

[@TexasMadeAprilRenee]

I AM GLAD TO SEE THIS! I AM BLACK AND AN EX-JEHOVAH WITNESS (CULT)..I AM QUESTIONING EVERYTHING! BUT TO SEE PPL WHO LOOK LIKE ME IS LIKE 😮❤❤❤

[@gretam3260]

What a great panel, very brave off all of you to come out, tell your story and became activist.

[@ChucksterOLove]

I left religion when I actually started reading and UNDERSTANDING the Bible. It sure helps when you read the Bible from FRONT TO BACK instead of BACKWARDS.... 🙄👿

[@TheOG-GG]

Awesome! I am being open in my community about being atheist. I think it is isolation that creates all the stupidity and willful ignorance. To not expose that I am an atheist or bisexual or a freethinker etx would be to keep those bigots in isolation. Will not do that! Out and proud until they realize we have been here all along and hopefully one day they will be atheists too!

[@noahbody9782]

Speak what you believe. That is true freedom.

[@emusiqs5253]

I want all the music that Andre puts out! You all are role models and I hope the movement grows throughout the black community for the betterment of our people!

[@JONQPiD]

This was an inspiring dialogue. Listening to Black voices sharing stories of awakening really warmed my heart. I needed this today.. and yesterday. . All different but still similar to my own. I may need to rewatch again tomorrow. There are only 2 Black Atheists in my community, as far as I know. I’m not even sure if there’s an Atheist community at all. What steps can I take to build a safe space for any other closeted Black Atheists here in my small town?

[@papi_sativa]

What bro said about "the 4th wall" was 💯

[@DDinTN]

A very articulate and interesting panel.

[@wafflesmomforlife9215]

LOVED THIS!!!!!

[@frrebrreb4296]

As a black atheist in Europe I am amazed that the audience is almost all white....are there so few black atheist in the USA??

[@tanzoniaflakes5068]

Sorta. But honestly we are out here. Many don't speak out much because we are not the norm and dont have many spaces. Also many are not fully non believers. More agnostic and on the edge of it.

[@Otherwise88]

Yes, that really is the case. As mentioned, there are no doubt closeted black atheists, but the reason they must staybin the closet is die to the extreme religiosity if the black community. African Americans are the most devout group in the nation.

[@Ms_Introvert_4_Life]

@@tanzoniaflakes5068 definitely agree with you on this. Plus, black families will totally disown us because we are questioning the bible and the existence of this god they are worshipping.

[@tanzoniaflakes5068]

@@Biblesmakegoodkindling I can say for me that was part of it. Plus the fear of "god" that's shoved on you. But once you realize the world won't cave in on you or you won't be "cursed" you find your feet more study and walk bolder in your the truth. It's all made up to control you.

[@tanzoniaflakes5068]

@@Biblesmakegoodkindling I'm so happy I figured that part out. I wish I had much sooner. I bet my life would have been less stressful in a lot of ways.

[@doneestoner9945]

I am very proud of these wonderful people ❤

[@markwoods4439]

The internet is what turned and started my atheist journey. A show called the Atheist Experience and I thank them for that. My moto is “No Gods, No Masters, I Think For Myself”!!

[@robertjimenez5984]

They are all amazing, but Mandisa is specially amazing ♥️

[@JBone400]

She really is. I met her a few years ago at an event she was hosting, and I really enjoyed it.

[@blulumwaquepajoo7158]

Love this.i can’t wait to you all grow

[@susanca8443]

I think some of you’re ahead of your time, but Africa is catching up faster than you might realize. Have you read Bleeding Stubs by a new African author? His writing truly stands out, with exceptional brevity, engaging storytelling, strong character development, and thought-provoking themes. Agent Lasso, one of the characters, seems to be an atheist-something you’ll notice as you read. Highly recommend it!

[@tod1way]

I wish there were more famous Black Atheists, like Morgan Freeman and Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Famous Atheists help people feel seen.

[@TexasMadeAprilRenee]

THIS MADE ME CRY SO HARD 😢 😭..BEING BLACK IS HARD BUT STRONG. 💔 BUT I JUST WANTED LOVE AND TO LOVE OTHERS. I AM MORE HURT FOR PUTTING MY CHILDREN (,NOW GROWN) IN ALL OF THIS MESS I WAS TAUGHT. HOW DO I UNDO THAT?? 😢I THANK YOU..I NEEDED TO SEE THIS VIDEO. I WILL NEVER STOP QUESTIONING THINGS! 😢

[@Don.M.]

I think it definitely starts with asking questions. I started to move away from religion when so many of my questions about Christianity were left unanswered, or the “answers” were full of holes. Start trying to get your children to start asking those questions. Study history and mythology, secular philosophy and the questions all the world’s atheists have been asking for years.

[@ilikemike2436]

I always enjoy stories about how Black people leave superstition.

[@tanzoniaflakes5068]

I love Moonchild too. And yes to "spend your privilege".

[@slickandslaycious6579]

Great content

[@papi_sativa]

*#CHICAGO** IN THE HOUSE!*

[@melvonjohnson5711]

I told my boss, who is African American" that I'm going through something mentally and the first thing she told men was to "PRAY" about it smh-----Religion does make people lazy and brainwash them.

[@daylinlott5723]

Well done!

[@tanzoniaflakes5068]

It's so ironic. I learned religion was a method of control from studying Islam. Lol

[@treefrog3349]

As much as being the justifiable promotion of atheism that it is, the "subtext" is also the acknowledgement that Christian dogma is often FAR from being a good thing. Wisdom should triumph over belief whenever possible. Informed decision-making, not mystical-magical "hoo-doo voo-doo" should be the basis of a just society

[@talesofcsoplahia]

Just heard about Mandisa and how this group is no longer together. What a shame. I thought they were really building something special.

[@TrisjensChronicles1203]

What happened?

[@biggtk]

A couple of big Athiest orgs have had scandals recently. My biggest gripe with many Athiest/Secular organizations is that they run on neoliberal hierarchical and political structures. They centralize power and so when leader(s) of the organization start sinking because of controversy, they end up taking the entire ship (i.e., the organization) with them. This can be avoided by taking a more Leftist and direct-democracy route where "leadership" is voted in by members, and can be voted out by members (so long as evidence of misconduct can be presented), and also where the decisions and strategies made by leadership are also formally voted on (and sanctioned) by members. When essential processes of a system are decoupled from one another and made independent of a centralized authority, then if one of the processes malfunctions, the system can still continue working and functioning, while the broken process can be separately repaired and reintegrated back into the system without any detrimental delay in "production." Progressive organizations must adopt a decentralized structure if they ever hope to survive scandals.

[@AstralProjections369]

🎉🎉🎉

[@Culturecrack]

Dope

[@godbyelebenohnegott]

Unfortunately, not a lot of black people in the audience. But hopefully, some will watch the video online. When you think it through, it is so easy to come to the conclusion that no god exists. But it is so hard for many people to allow themselves to just admit it to themselves. There is a wall of emotion and threat that binds them to the imagination of a non-existent god.

[@angiepoo4839]

I am seeing this now and many more will continue while continuing to seek truth.

[@Maxrepfitgm]

It's only easy to see it if the brainwashing and indoctrination hasn't taken a foothold and if you suffer no consequences from it. Too many are too far into it and it would be too mentally and in some cases, financially costly to break free

[@papi_sativa]

VIOLENT CHURCH!! 😵😵‍💫

[@alexb2082]

Blacktivists

[@armandorochez6037]

Man made book. You just have to read it to know it.

[@calldwnthesky6495]

***HEY... what would be wrong with BNB having sub-organizations under the main organization: one which caters to the challenges and needs of the male BNB community, one which caters to the challenges and needs of the female BNB community, to the needs of gay and lesbian, to the needs of trans, etc etc? with all these groups interfacing regularly and/or as needed under the overall BNB banner?

[@retromograph3893]

Everyone in the audience is white, still some work to do methinks!

[@Deshawn_88]

exactly. 😮😮

[@greatelephant1975]

Life is a lot less stressful without the burden of hell.

[@jbaccanalia]

Sounds like black atheists could save white people from themselves. God knows we need the help.

[@wr606]

Applying to: Allah, Buddha, Jah, Jesus, Krishna, Yahweh And All The Rest: Even as an updated point of view: my take on it is that Blacks as a whole (especially as applying to both African and American Blacks [maybe one more so than the other and vice versa]) we fail in these five to six main areas: 1) The Idea Of A Non-proven One All Omnipotent God/Religions; 2) Not Having Overall Desire Or Values Toward True Ancient, Historical Knowledge & Science; 3) Negative Female Rulership By Non-Postnatal Trained ('Crooked Natured') Women; 4) Limited, Average Life Span; 5) Not Having Economic Productive Type Values (Needing Someone Else To Do What You Yourself Can Do While Also Not Maximizing On The Full Utilization Of Your Community's Or Continent's Natural Resources) & Finally, 6) The Allowed Destruction Of Family; all of this done within our limited average 80-years lifespan.

[@j.wick6666]

How to stop believing in religion, read the Bible

[@barrybowie3646]

Very few black people in audience

[@Niayolonda777]

Religion is an outer expression without an inner conviction. So many people are religious and since they see no results they turn atheist. Please let me know how you were created. Where did the sun and the moon come from? Why are the waters still in the seas? Where did all these animals come from? Answer these questions and we may have a conversation.

[@calldwnthesky6495]

i have kicked Dave Silverman off my radar gladly (for being what i feel is a rather unsavory person), but before i had done that, through his current YT channel (unfortunately) I learned that there was some trouble within Black Nonbelievers, centered around Mandisa. It breaks my heart to hear that but i continue to donate to BNB because i know of no other worthwhile alternative to BNB and i just feel that Mandisa - from hearing her speak on youtube - couldn't have done something so horrible that i should withdraw my support. i do however want what is best for the movement as a whole so it would be nice to know something about what actually happened...

[@freddenker9537]

a sinner arrived at the gates of hell and the devil let him in...but what he saw amazed him, blue sky, endless sandy beach, palm trees and countless people in high spirits with drinks in hand and always pleasantly quiet Music..he started to walk along the whole beach....but what was that at the end of the beach,,,biting smoke, cruel wimmerl and moaning...he searched for the cause and finally found a deep hole full of nacks people, in a sea of ​​fire and sulfur vapor... he was so shocked and ran back to the gate as quickly as possible where he met the devil... he asked him what that was at the end of the beach and the devil explained to him, that was bad ... but that's the Christians ... they want it that way and believe me this story is as true as the bible...I'll put my hand in hellfire for that

[@shopobjetdart]

Spaces are overrated... and allow for bubbled thinking... Share space... exchange experiences... Grow together.

[@jameswarren180]

What is so amazing is all the Evidence that is on stage was created by someone if you did not create it yourself then tell me who did? Give me the evidence because my evidence is exhibited A everyone on stage everything you see is evidence someone has to tell me who is the Creator Please? Help a Brother out. The one who created all the roads knows what is at the end of your do you?

[@rationalist8805]

"A Universe from Nothing: Why There is Something Rather Than Nothing" written by Lawrence M. Krauss.

[@TheOG-GG]

You are asking the wrong question. You should be asking who or what created god?! Cuz god couldn't have just come outta nowhere, right? God has to have a creator. Who is god's creator and why are your wasting your life worshipping some worthless god when god's creator clearly outranks it?

[@calldwnthesky6495]

@@TheOG-GG exactly. i guess this "god" is not a thing, cuz everyTHING is created so therefore "god" is not a thing. i guess "god" is A thing and NO thing at the same time.... or thereabouts? clear as mud. but who cares in any case, because "god" gets special privileges to justify its existence. **facepalm**

[@CAMM-CynthiaM]

I was created by my parents. They had parents that created them etc etc

[@JONQPiD]

If you’re “creator” is so intelligent, why can’t “he” give you the exact words to say to convince us all of the existence of the god..?

[@HarryShagnasty-sc9zd]

What if I call my group White Non Believers?