How do you teach people like this just how mistaken they are in the beliefs about who atheists actually are?
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Anonymous
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The context of Rep. Davis's tirade is not clear from the linked post, so I'm not sure what prompted it. The source appears to be a Chicago Tribune blog called "Change of Subject." I gather it has to do with rebuilding a church under the auspices of a grant to a private school.
I would have found comments like this offensive even as a believer. Humility is a fundamental tenet of Christianity, and respect for others' beliefs a founding principle of this country.
I've kind of assumed that the arc of history bends towards atheism / agnosticism, but it seems to be a long arc indeed.
"How do you teach people like this just how mistaken they are in the beliefs about who atheists actually are?"
Monique Davis Biography: Educational administrator; born in Chicago; B.S., elementary education; M.S., worked on doctorate at Roosevelt University, guidance and counseling; received Dollars and Sense award for legislative excellence as one of the 100 best and brightest professionals in the country, 1990; listed in Who's Who in African American Biography, 1988-93; has two children.
The biography doesn't say, but one can guess that she probably has a life history that includes devotion to black churches, and religious upbringing can have a profound effect on one's worldview, even if it isn't one's fate.
Black churches are very different theologically, liturgically, and in terms of social action, from either predominantly white mainline churches, or predominantly white evangelical churches.
Attitudes towards atheists in the black church, however, seem closer to the evangelicals. And, it is notable that African-Americans have the lowest rate of atheism/non-religious sentiment of any ethnic group in America.
Perhaps the solution, then, is outreach to the black Christian community by secular people. Certainly not easy, but maybe worth doing.
4 comments:
The context of Rep. Davis's tirade is not clear from the linked post, so I'm not sure what prompted it. The source appears to be a Chicago Tribune blog called "Change of Subject." I gather it has to do with rebuilding a church under the auspices of a grant to a private school.
I would have found comments like this offensive even as a believer. Humility is a fundamental tenet of Christianity, and respect for others' beliefs a founding principle of this country.
I've kind of assumed that the arc of history bends towards atheism / agnosticism, but it seems to be a long arc indeed.
"How do you teach people like this just how mistaken they are in the beliefs about who atheists actually are?"
Monique Davis Biography: Educational administrator; born in Chicago; B.S., elementary education; M.S., worked on doctorate at Roosevelt University, guidance and counseling; received Dollars and Sense award for legislative excellence as one of the 100 best and brightest professionals in the country, 1990; listed in Who's Who in African American Biography, 1988-93; has two children.
"I weep for the future."
Yipes!
The biography doesn't say, but one can guess that she probably has a life history that includes devotion to black churches, and religious upbringing can have a profound effect on one's worldview, even if it isn't one's fate.
Black churches are very different theologically, liturgically, and in terms of social action, from either predominantly white mainline churches, or predominantly white evangelical churches.
Attitudes towards atheists in the black church, however, seem closer to the evangelicals. And, it is notable that African-Americans have the lowest rate of atheism/non-religious sentiment of any ethnic group in America.
Perhaps the solution, then, is outreach to the black Christian community by secular people. Certainly not easy, but maybe worth doing.
Davis has apologized.
http://www.wbbm780.com/Lawmaker-Apologizes-For-Comments-Against-Atheist/1980701
Enough said, I think.
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