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Black Christians are unable to have an honest discussion about religion

So it’s been two years since I came out as an atheist to my family, and every time they try to convert me I bring up that they wouldn’t be Christians if it wasn’t for the fact that it was beaten into our ancestors during slavery. Then they go straight into hush mode. Which usually happens when it’s brought up. What is even the point of asking why I’m atheist if all you’re going to do is put your fingers to your ears and not listen?

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BetweenKittensandRiots · 36-40, MVIP

White atheist here who basically shares your view but just wants to point out our own communities embrace of religion is insane too.

sometimes I want to start a church of irreligion simply because just because we are atheist doesn't mean we dont need community.

Adaydreambeliever · 56-60, F

Ok.. I get your point but it's a vastly over-generalised and sweeping statement there in the headline.. and another smaller point is that.. .it isn't just ancestors during slavery that had Christianity drummed into them.. /Africans and others have long been 'converted' by missionaries etc..

Oh and just to add... it isn't only black people who hold such extremist Christian views.. there's more than a plenty of white people who cannot talk about religion sanely. Arguably religion does that to people

bijouxbroussard · F

@Adaydreambeliever She’s addressing something very specific that has caused a lot of division, especially in recent times. I see it in the U.S.

Adaydreambeliever · 56-60, F

@bijouxbroussard Yes, no worries, I get that.. so really just reminding people that slaves were not the only one's forced/coerced into taking on Christianity

Briggett · T

@bijouxbroussard some people still think that it a good deal to swap the land on hand and the Bible in the other. What a gift that just keeps on giving.

firefall · 61-69, M

Because their preachers keep telling them that the Word of God (tm) will shake the unbelief of atheists.
Without any evidence of course, just like the whole belief structure :D

bijouxbroussard · F

That fanaticism is what made so many people vulnerable to Jim Jones. I hate that particular legacy of the slave trade.

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bijouxbroussard · F

@Zenyatta So do I. I went there with friends when People’s Temple was still in SF.

daisymay · 51-55, T

@bijouxbroussard Wow, glad you didn't get swept up in it

bijouxbroussard · F

@daisymay Me, too. I only went one time, but the friends ended up at Jonestown. 😞

NaturalBeautyQueen · 41-45, F

People usually get quiet when they bring up truth, in the Bible and I start talking about the fake white Jesus. I love to see their reactions. Even when they say it shouldn’t matter. But when they want to talk about truth, then let it be the whole truth. That’ll shut them up, big time too.

firefall · 61-69, M

@NaturalBeautyQueen he was a good jewish boy :)

And now I can't help thinking of Mary urging him to become a doctor (cliche, I know)

NaturalBeautyQueen · 41-45, F

@firefall Yep, I personally believe in God, and it literally makes me angry, when there are Christians who act like they are better than those who either don’t agree, and/or don’t believe. It is what it is, and they need to let it go.

Yeah, so I always get a kick out of white Jesus. Lol

Thevy29 · 41-45, M

What has this got to do with being black. Christians of any colour would act the same.

bijouxbroussard · F

@Thevy29 She’s addressing something specific. It’s not the same.

helenS · 36-40, F

the fact that it was beaten into our ancestors during slavery

Not sure whether that's true or not. I can imagine the slave "masters" (= the hideous monsters who "owned" them) weren't too happy about them becoming Christians, because that puts them on the same level, before God.

bijouxbroussard · F

@helenS It’s fact. African slaves had to give up their names, family ties, their native languages and their religious beliefs and practices. In some Catholic countries (and states here like Louisiana) some combined their practices with Catholic rituals and were able to hold onto some traces of their cultures.
And slavery existed in Biblical times, so slave masters simply used existing Scripture as justification for slavery in the U.S.

Zenyatta · 26-30

@helenS they used black pastors to pacify the slaves, they were allowed to read certain books and preach sermons approved by their masters.

helenS · 36-40, F

@bijouxbroussard @Zenyatta Thank you very much. I did not know.

I'm surprised. I would have thought that a person with a "wrong" faith (as seen by the tyrants) is considered inferior, and makes for a better slave.

For example, Muslim corsairs would capture Christian ships and raid seaside towns in the Mediterranean and Atlantic, in search of Christian men, women and children for slaves, in the past.

NoahB · 31-35, M

my view is that that for many faith fills the void. its a heart in a heartless world. I don't hold it against people who find value in it. its not like theres much in the way of community outside it. that said its 100% true that Christianity is the religion of the colonizing genocider

Peppa · 31-35, F

I think in any religion and non religious practice what we all know is that we should all life in peace. And that is all that really matters. Conflict takes away the joy of today.

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