In 2015, Mandisa Thomas faced hostility while advocating for Black Nonbelievers Inc. at an event. A confrontation with a woman revealed tensions within the Black community regarding atheism, as religiosity has historically been tied to identity and resilience. While religion offered hope during slavery and facilitated civil rights activism, rejecting God is often viewed as rejecting Black identity. Yet, current trends show that 21% of Black Americans are now religiously unaffiliated, a figure growing among younger generations, prompting a re-evaluation of identity and the role of religion in Black life.
During slavery, faith provided both hope and a mechanism for survival, cementing religion as a cornerstone of Black culture.
Rejecting the concept of God is often perceived as a rejection of Black identity itself.
This shift signals a profound re-examination of identity, community and the role of religion in Black life.
According to the Pew Research Center, one in five Black Americans (21%) are religiously unaffiliated, with even higher numbers among younger generations.
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