Black Non-Believers in the Black Community with Mandisa Thomas

The conversation with Mandisa Thomas covers her journey as a Black atheist, exploring her cultural upbringing, challenges in coming out, and the impact of religion on Black communities. It delves into the definitions of atheism, agnosticism, and humanism, as well as the cultural differences in Black atheism. The conversation highlights the challenges of institutional dismantling and concludes with a call to action for understanding and empathy. The conversation delves into the need for re-education, the challenges faced by Black religious trauma survivors, the founding of Black Non-Believers, the complexities of Black identity, community support and advocacy, civic engagement and the political climate, support and resources for non-believers, humanizing non-believers, and engaging with Black Non-Believers.

Mandisa Thomas is the founder and President of Black Nonbelievers. Although
never formally indoctrinated into religious belief, she was heavily exposed to
Black Nationalism, Christianity, and Islam. Mandisa has been featured in the
documentaries gODTalk and Contradiction, and on CBS Sunday Morning and
CNN.com.
A certified Humanist Celebrant, Mandisa has received several awards including the
2020 Harvard Humanist of the Year, and the 2019 Freethought Heroine, from the
Freedom From Religion Foundation. She is also a member of the Godless Gospel
music ensemble.

Mandisa Thomas's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/mandisalateefah
Black Non-Believers (BN) Website: https://blacknonbelievers.org/
BN Membership Program: https://blacknonbelievers.org/become-an-official-bn-member/
Black Non-Believers YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BlackNonbelieversInc
Instagram - @bnonbelieversinc

Revival of Reason 2026 - https://blacknonbelievers.org/revival-of-reason-2026/
Takeaways

* Exploration of cultural upbringing and challenges in coming out as an atheist
* Understanding the impact of religion on Black communities and the challenges of institutional dismantling The importance of re-education in addressing institutional ties to religion
* The need for community support and advocacy for Black non-believers

Chapters

* 00:00 Introduction to Mandisa Thomas
* 04:56 Exploring Atheism and Secular Roots
* 10:04 Challenges and Courage in Coming Out as an Atheist
* 15:01 Defining Atheism, Agnosticism, and Humanism
* 20:01 Navigating Religious Stereotypes and Misconceptions
* 24:49 Cultural Differences in Black Atheism
* 29:54 Impact of Religion on Black Communities
* 35:08 Challenges of Institutional Dismantling
* 40:14 Conclusion and Call to Action
* 52:00 The Need for Re-Education
* 57:04 Challenges of Black Identity
* 01:03:38 Community Support and Advocacy
* 01:11:28 Civic Engagement and Political Climate
* 01:19:19 Support and Resources for Non-Believers
* 01:25:20 Humanizing Non-Believers

Видео Black Non-Believers in the Black Community with Mandisa Thomas канала Surviving the Black Church Podcast