Are there any black American atheists? Well, of course there are, however, they may not be eager to share that information with the masses just yet.
According to a Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life study done in 2009, 'African-Americans were more religious on a variety of measures than the U.S. population as a whole, with 87 percent of African-Americans describing themselves as belonging to one religious group or another'.
With stats like these, it is easy to figure out why black American atheists are hesitant to come forth with their non-theistic identity.
The Huffington Post reveals in a related article yesterday that a significant number of non-religious African-Americans seem to feel, "You renounce your blackness. You almost denigrate your heritage and history of the people if you claim atheism." Sounds about right. Think about it, black Americans are a well-known religious force in Detroit, New York, Philadelphia, and The South. They are typically regarded as a religious people; whether they be Christian, Muslim, or Jehovah's Witness.
In the same article, Huffington Post compares African-Americans announcing their atheism in their traditionally religious communities to 'Coming Out'. There is the belief that they will be judged and shunned and looked upon as betrayers as homosexuals often are.
Islam has the answer for this, and it is embedded in the holy book of the Muslims. Chapter 2, Verse 286 states: Laa ikraha fid deen or There is No Compulsion in Religion.
It is so clear and obvious that one cannot force another to believe as you believe. But just in case human beings -as they are prone to- are confused or blinded by their egos, God also revealed an additional verse to further emphasis this point: Lakum deenakum wa lee ad deen or To You is Your Religion and To Me is Mine (Chapter 109, Verse 6).
The masses should just accept that all people are not going to share the same religious beliefs, no matter their heritage or history. And, really, so what? This 'non-belief' is obviously not affecting God; only the people that profess to know what He, The Almighty, is 'thinking'.
Good job.
