Association of Black Humanists

Association of Black Humanists (formerly known as London Black Atheists) is a British organisation based in London, England. It encourages humanists and atheists to meet up, socialise, share information and support other atheists as they "come out" to friends and family, particularly (but not limited to) people in ethnic minorities and people of the African diaspora.

Association of Black Humanists
PredecessorLondon Black Atheists
Formation2012
FoundersClive Aruede, Lola Tinubu
Websitelondonblackatheists.com

Formation

Association of Black Humanists was formed (as London Black Atheists) in November 2012 by Clive Aruede, a former Catholic Church eucharistic minister,[1] Lola Tinubu,[2] who had grown up an evangelical Christian[3] and two other friends.[4] They formed the group as both had found it difficult and felt socially isolated without the acceptance of the religious communities they had grown up in. Aruede has also made the observation that while the group is not separatist, in his experience black people are more likely to "come out" within a group with other black people than a predominantly white group,[1] and the group supports all free thinkers, nonbelievers, atheists and humanists.[2]

Aruede became an atheist after confronting challenging questions from his 12-year-old daughter and researching cosmology, genetics and evolution.[5] Tinubu left her religion following a visit from her Nigerian father that made her confront the cognitive dissonance she saw between his faith and his scientific understanding.[4]

Both felt there was a need for an atheist advocacy and support group for people from minorities, and in particular those from conservative religious societies in which religion can define one's way of life. Tinubu found that many people in Africa and the African diaspora equate rejecting religion with rejecting one's cultural heritage and traditions.[4][6]

The association of Black Humanists uses the language of LGBT self-disclosure such as "coming out" when publicly stating one has left a religion and supports individuals' anonymity who do not wish their atheism to be revealed publicly.[4][7]

Work and meetings

The association of Black Humanists uses online platforms such as Facebook and Meetup to organise talks, meetings, social functions, marches and fundraisers. It is also affiliated with Humanists UK and the Central London Humanists group.[7] The group does not focus on speaking out against a particular religion, but discussion typically centres around Christianity, as Aruede explains this is the religion most blacks from the Caribbean and continent of Africa have been brought up in.[1]

Association of Black Humanists has hosted prominent speakers such as Leo Igwe (Breaking the Taboo of Atheism in Black Communities'),[8][9] Gus Casely-Hayford and Maryam Namazie, who is also a patron of the organisation.[10]

They have also presented at secular conferences such as the Humanists UK conference 2017, the 2017 International Conference on Free Expression and Conscience, and the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain annual conference 2015.[11]

On Christmas Day 2014 Aruede gave the annual Christmas message for the Metro newspaper on behalf of The Association of Black Humanists.[12]

See also

References
  1. Ayisi, Erica (13 September 2016). "London Group a 'Safe Space' for Black Atheists". NBC News. Archived from the original on 12 June 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  2. Sherwood, Harriet. "'I only know one god – and that's me': non-believers on the meaning of life". Guardian. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  3. Hockings, Lucy (12 February 2014). "BBC World News - Atheism, Freedom of Expression and Belief". BBC World News. YouTube. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  4. McLaughlin, Liam (7 August 2013). "Is it harder to 'come out' as an atheist if you're black?". New Statesman. Archived from the original on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  5. Aruede, Clive (28 May 2013). "Apostasy Project: My Apostasy Story: Clive Aruede". New Humanist. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  6. Hockings, Lucy (12 February 2014). "Impact: Atheism, Freedom of Expression and Belief". BBC World. 5:20. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  7. "London Black Atheists". Meetup.com. Archived from the original on 10 June 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  8. Barnett, Adam (26 April 2013). "The 'taboo' of atheism in black communities – Leo Igwe at Hackney Attic". Hackney Citizen. Citizen Media. Archived from the original on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  9. Igwe, Leo (7 April 2013). "Leo Igwe Breaking The Taboo of Atheism in Black Communities". YouTube. Archived from the original on 1 May 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  10. "Biography". MaryamNamazie.com. Archived from the original on 9 January 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  11. Namazie, Maryam. "Past Events". MaryamNamazie.com. Archived from the original on 26 July 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  12. "Metro's unconventional Christmas message: A black atheist talks about the big day". Metro. 25 December 2014. Archived from the original on 13 January 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
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