I'm Ethiopian and a PROUD atheist

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Warms my heart to hear it. Are you currently living in Ethiopia? I imagine with my limited knowledge of Ethiopia that Atheism is a very rare thing there. If you're living there, what is it like being an Atheist there?

@meneliklionheart9218

10 жыл бұрын

darrinjohnsonnews No i live in Denmark, but to answer your question to be an openly atheist in Ethiopia is suicide :) Ethiopia is deeply religious country, the national identity is based on Orthodox judaic Christianity. so it's very difficult to speak out against religion.you do not have freedom of speech or thought you are censored by the government and church

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

mase-8220 Sounds absolutely frightening and stifling. I can see why you're not living there anymore!

@meneliklionheart9218

10 жыл бұрын

I could ask the same question, why do u belive in god ? why do you follow christianity ? Science cannot prove or disprove the existence of a flying pink unicorn ethier but that doesn't mean a pink unicorn really excist.. i hope one day you'll grow up and realize that there is no "god" is a stupid human concept made up out of thin air. 

@meneliklionheart9218

10 жыл бұрын

pathstogodbyfaithcom Let me aske u this: If you had the power to help all people who are suffering or in need, at no cost or effort to yourself, would you do it? If so, why hasn’t God done this already? Explain why babies are born with serious birth defects, why does "god" create severely handicapped babies. Why would a loving god allow death and suffering ?

This is amazing, I was starting to feel like I was the only black atheist on Earth.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Responses like yours really show me that the work I've put into this (as well as the work I'll be putting into the full length version) is worth it. I want all black non-believers to know they're not alone even when they're surrounded by hyper-religious friends and family.

@proudbluestaterful

9 жыл бұрын

sweetie there are many of us but many who want to get married or be in a relationship would be ostracized . i am 63 and have been a atheist since i was 12. i always say if gawd is so good why are blacks doing so bad

@TheBlackAtheists

9 жыл бұрын

I thought I was for a very long time.

@shostoppad

9 жыл бұрын

Being a black atheist from Mississippi is the worst!!! Everybody I know is overly religious.

@2FINE4YOUBABYGIRL

9 жыл бұрын

I'm glad we're out there and slowly growing.

I'm a black proud atheist, I like this

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you Mr. Thornton!

I hate when a talented Black Americans/Brown Americans thank to JESUS after they win an award, even if he/she did not ever put a feet in a church. They NEVER give credit for their creativity and themselves. Yak!

As a Kenyan atheist I have always wondered how any African could believe in the same doctrine used to suppress and colonize them. "When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said 'Let us pray.' We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land". Desmond Tutu

LOL at Steve Harvey calling someone else an idiot. Ah, the irony.

As a white swedish atheist, this was something I had never even thought about, so it was a big eyeopener for me! Suuuuuper interesting video and I hope that the black atheist community will expand!

I lost a girlfriend because she said she couldn't imagine having a family with an atheist.

@darrinjohnsonnews

9 жыл бұрын

***** Lack of religion has affected the love life of myself and many others I know. You're not alone in that, either.

"God has a plan" is the theist "get out of Jail free" pass

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

I've heard that more times than I could ever count, and unfortunately I'm sure I'll hear it plenty more times.

"How can you love anybody if you can't love God?" I would stare her in the face and say, "Are you serious?"

As a white atheist I applaud the makers,and the advocates in this video for opening my eyes,and showing me that black atheist community is alive and well.I know it has to be extra difficult for you to make your stance. Keep your chin up,we'll all get there someday. Peace!

@darrinjohnsonnews

9 жыл бұрын

Glad to have shown you a part of the black community you may never have realized existed.

@brandonio_granger

9 жыл бұрын

darrinjohnsonnews the future is peace or be Damned!

@karansena

9 жыл бұрын

Iam a Hindu but still an aethist in many aspects especially religion. So Only difference other than Internet I never open up these topics so easily. Bcz it may lead to fight or argument. Never reveal anything weak or controversy of you. Bcz some people are just there to pounce on you

The girlfriends asks (somewhat rhetorically) "how can you love anyone if you don't love god?" But WHY must you love God to love another human being? In fact, many non-Christian religions--like the ancient Greek--have believed there to be gods but didn't expect anyone to love them, and didn't assume that you had to love gods in order to love another human being.

@Ninja07Keaton

10 жыл бұрын

How does that question even make sense? If 2 year olds can love their parents with no knowledge or understanding of what god is, then how in the world can you not love without god? Whoever that script writer is, he/she seriously lacks knowledge.

@SagesseNoir

10 жыл бұрын

Ninja07Keaton Good point. Small children can experience love before they even have a concept of god.

@thug2ryde

9 жыл бұрын

Can a 2 year old really love their parents? Is dependency love? And how is that child-parent love the same love thats between two former strangers in a relationship? Sounds awfully Oedipal. Also, how does it make sense to hold your GF's God accountable for the more convenient traits of separate Gods? I get that you don't want to admit God is real, but your conclusion doesn't follow from your premises. A lot of people believe God is our conscience. There is the right thing to do, which isn't always easy, but builds character and makes you and the world better. Then there is the wrong thing to do, which may be easy and convenient, but betrays us and our peers in the end. You've got to love God, aka yourself, that voice that truly knows what u must do, to stop yourself from doing wrong and harming yourself and others. Someone with diseased thinking like an addict or or coward will opt for drugs or safety over a possibly difficult opportunity in life. Hopefully you can see how someone must love themselves and their self-interests to be a fully contributing member to a relationship, while understanding the sacrifices that must be made in the name of peace and love.

@Ninja07Keaton

9 жыл бұрын

thug2ryde It's not exactly the same, but it is still a proof of concept. The average 2 year old can't even fathom the idea of a god, yet are still capable of feeling love towards their parents. "A lot of people believe God is our conscience. There is the right thing to do, which isn't always easy, but builds character and makes you and the world better. Then there is the wrong thing to do, which may be easy and convenient, but betrays us and our peers in the end. You've got to love God, aka yourself, that voice that truly knows what u must do, to stop yourself from doing wrong and harming yourself and others. Someone with diseased thinking like an addict or or coward will opt for drugs or safety over a possibly difficult opportunity in life." Those statements hold no objective barring over reality. Since morality is entirely subjective, anything can qualify as the "right" thing to do and vice versa. You're basically saying that your moral standard supersedes all of ours, which it doesn't. Second, you are preaching that stupid nonsense "harming someone is wrong" as if it were a moral absolute. So the men and women of our military who fight and die so self righteous hypocritical insects like you enjoy relative happiness and security are monsters in your eyes? Apparently they must be since no one should harm another under any circumstance by your moral standard. And let's not forget depriving the majority of food, houses, and medical attention so your precious minority can function. All the while telling people they need to serve your god or they will be tortured for eternity is a contradiction even a child could see. What is that, if not harmful? It would be fine if people didn't pretend it was justice, and just accepted it for what it really is, survival of the fittest. It would make people like you more honest pieces of trash. * goes back to listening to Double Dragon neon OST *

@SagesseNoir

9 жыл бұрын

Ninja07Keaton There are people (especially in Western Europe) who grew up in very secular environments, even among atheists, and who never believed in god even in childhood. But they show no inability to love other human beings. For while there was no god in their lives there were other human beings in their lives, people with whom they emotionally bonded.

As an atheist in the South (white, not black) I have only come across maybe 4 black atheists and I find that somewhat disheartening. And the ones I have met had to hide it from their families and communities out of fear of being shunned. I mean, that happens even to a lot or most of white atheists as well, but it seems as though for black atheists it is to a much higher degree and extreme. Only one of the ones I have met has "come out" so-to-speak about his atheism and said that only his father accepted him and stands by him, and that the rest of his family now views him as "evil" and "Satanic".

Excellent... when I think Atheism I think intelligent, a seeker,and empirically based.

@darrinjohnsonnews

9 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Freedom! The rapper's name is Greydon Square. You can find him here: kzread.info Tell him, Darrin sent you!

It's tough at times being a black atheist. I normally keep it to myself to avoid "The Discussion" and the backhanded compliments like "You're ATHEIST?!?! But you're such a good person!" It's also why I'm still single... But it's still nice to see there are also few out there and we have a voice.

This was really well done.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Sir! Are you a friend of Greydon's?

@TombstoneDaDeadman

10 жыл бұрын

darrinjohnsonnews Absolutely. We are both members of the Grand Unified collective and have performed together several times. My stage name is Tombstone Da Deadman.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Oh, Tombstone! Greydon mentions you all of the time, plus I've heard some of your work. Yet another seriously talented individual!

@TombstoneDaDeadman

10 жыл бұрын

darrinjohnsonnews Thanks man! Keep up the good work. It would be awesome if this was a full length documentary.

So many people allow fear to keep them from understanding reality. And most of that fear stems from ignorance, the ignorance of when they don't what to understand.

@bigh5255

9 жыл бұрын

I really wish more people, especially black people would open their eye's and listen to reason.

I love ❤ to see when people wake up

I'm black, I'm a non-believer, and proud to be both. This video was helpful - well put together. Thanks.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

You're welcome, and thank you! I hope to see more of us speaking up about our freethinking, skepticism and non-belief, and my hope is that this mini-doc and the eventual full length doc will help to make that happen.

@MKrip808

9 жыл бұрын

Yeah, that's nice and all, but you're still a Jayhawk, so the job is unfinished. M-I-Z!!

@markbishopiii1577

9 жыл бұрын

MKrip808 Haha ..... Missouri loves company.

woooooooow...... Steve Harvey is waaaay more narrowminded than I thought he was.... he always acts like he knows everything, and that gets on my nerves.. -_- lol. oh well... that's him.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Frankly, the comments on atheism is just the tip of the iceberg.

@VonDivaTheRebel

10 жыл бұрын

Wow... lol. that's sad.

@TheBlackAtheists

9 жыл бұрын

You think he's narrow-minded? Have you heard Katt Williams lately?

@Hygeiainthedesert

9 жыл бұрын

So true. I can't stand to hear him speak.

@VonDivaTheRebel

9 жыл бұрын

Black Atheists Oh lord... :\ I haven't heard him make a comment about atheists but I have heard him make comments against the evolutionary theory.

I'm white and Latino but I would say we NEED more black people to come out as atheists in order to move forward.I did not know there were black atheists until I saw this video so I feel a little better because America can be very isolating as a non believer you are meant to feel lesser like something is wrong with you if you don't believe in God, and I do NOT want people to feel that way.

Damn, I love seeing fellow black atheists. I know that we are all united in our lack of belief in a god, but when you are raised in a Christian environment and you don't believe like everyone else, it gets so lonely. And then add being gay to that... pfft. Black, Atheist, and Gay... the unholy trifecta lol!! Sidenote: I'm not an atheist because I'm gay. I was a believer and gay at the same time. I only became an atheist after actually taking the time and looking into what I believed and found it had no substance.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Frederick, from the video, had a very similar life experience. As he mentions in the video, he started out as gay and religious before he rejected religion. But yes, having that trifecta make up your self-identification...I can only imagine. Hopefully you have a support system that helps you with this. It's always good to be able to talk to like-minded people.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

***** I can say from experience that being able to meet up face-to-face is vastly superior to online interaction. Online communities are still better than nothing, though. There are black Atheist groups in Texas. Donald Wright, former black church pastor turned Atheist and author of the book "The Only Prayer I'll Ever Pray", operates in Houston. If you do end up back there, you might want to get in touch.

@SagesseNoir

10 жыл бұрын

***** I know how difficult it is to be a skeptic or unbeliever. But is it more difficult being gay than being atheist? Neither are especially popular in our black communities.

@SagesseNoir

10 жыл бұрын

***** Wow! that's serious considering how much anti-gay prejudice there is in our community. I can tell you that when I was still religious I was antigay. Not a militant homophobe, but someone whose anti-gay prejudice was deeply informed by my Christian upbringing. As my religiosity declined so did my antigay antipathies. But now that I think back on it, I was LESS anti-atheist than I was anti-gay. So, maybe you're right.

@Ryanlovestobake

10 жыл бұрын

That's funny, I've noticed sexuality plays a role, too. I'm a gay, white Jew and I'm not religious whatsoever.

There should be a video about Atheist in the Hispanic community!

@darrinjohnsonnews

9 жыл бұрын

I'd actually like to feature them more in my upcoming expansion. It is called Non-believers of Color, after all. I'm intrigued to learn more about the experiences of non-believers in the Latino community.

@xza14

9 жыл бұрын

darrinjohnsonnews Please do so! You have my support! Saludos

@JustAnotherUser565

9 жыл бұрын

As a Hispanic Atheist myself I support your suggestion.

When I tell people I'm agnostic people look at me funny. I find it moderately entertaining.where I live if your not christian your kind of an outcast

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

I can definitely relate to this. Where are you from, if you don't mind my asking?

@jayzonjones2982

10 жыл бұрын

P.A.

This program was very good, and I really enjoyed it. I'm a black American male and an atheist. I think the problem with religion is it makes people complacent and enforces narrow mindedness. In my life I have encountered people who says that "they only read the bible", the problem with this is people will close themselves off from other type of reading material and base everything in the world on faith, instead of evidence.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Agreed on all counts, mrknowledgeispower.

I myself am not black but an atheist! And I see every single comment posted has a response from you! I love seeing the interaction! Keep up the good work man! Thanks for sharing these stories!

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

You're welcome, and thank you for the kind words!

Who is the rapper.... love his music!

This is really inspiring for me as a black Atheist, thanks for sharing this video!

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Reading messages like these is what makes having created this mini-doc worth it, and why I am currently working on making a full length documentary. You are most welcome!

Half-Filipino, Half-Mexican Atheist here, this was an exceptional documentary and Greydon Square is a fucking hero.

I'm a southern Black atheist and proud!!!

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

When I do my expansion, I definitely want to talk to at least two different Southern Black Non-Believers. I, and I'm sure many others, would like to hear your stories.

Am really happy to see another black athiests. .... and great dokument

@darrinjohnsonnews

9 жыл бұрын

Happy to know there are more of us out there as well. We just need to make ourselves known to the world!

Im not alone......needed to see this.

This is awesome, thank you!!!!! I'm a black atheist living in Atlanta, it's insanity. ..

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

As overwhelmingly Christian as I've heard Atlanta is, there actually is an active black Atheist community there. There in the minority of course, but they're there. I can only imagine what it is like to be both black and Atheist in the Bible Belt.

Great documentary, really enjoyed it...Just a thought: If the account of creation as written in the bible is wrong (and it is), there was no Adam & Eve, which means there was no original sin, which means there was no need for salvation through Jesus' death on the cross and his resurrection. In other words, if biblical creationism is wrong, the whole thing comes crashing down.

Everything should be a choice if that choice does not hurt others.

Amazing! Even if you disagree with the religious views you cannot DENY that it is a thought provoking and well put together documentary.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you once again, Sis! It's encouragement from you and the fam that makes a project like this possible!

I always felt this underlying sense of guilt when watching anything related to Steve Harvey that he had some sort of negative view on atheism.

@darrinjohnsonnews

9 жыл бұрын

Morgan Quell Don't let comments like his get you down or make you feel guilty. Harvey himself is no one to talk down to anyone. There is nothing shameful about being skeptical and rejecting any religion.

"The desire to continue to learn", Greydon Square has a new fan.

Thanks for this upload. In my 30 years of living I've only met TWO other Black Atheists (Blatheists). Like the gentleman said at the beginning, church and God and religion as a whole just never made any fucking sense to me, and thankfully my mother infused a healthy skepticism in me at a young age (and she stopped going when I was four). My grandmother was heavily into religion--she's stopped that now, as well...but I don't think she'd ever call herself an atheist, out loud. Now as an adult, I've had Black people ask me, once they learn I don't believe in God, "well...how did you get like that?" as if I contracted some sort of disease, or incredulously going "oh...really?" I had a friend, whom I admire very much, when I was going through tough times, ask me confusedly "why don't you believe in GOD???", instead of offering me good counsel or useful advice for coping with my circumstances. Additionally, there seems to be, within Black America, a subculture built around Crazy Church Stories, rife with archetypes, stereotypes, tropes and cliches, that every Black Person Should Just Know. I'm always on the outskirts of those conversations, entertaining though they may be. And as an actor, if I do a play with a majority black cast, inevitably there is some prayer circle before every performance, and I either have to swallow my discomfort or exile myself. Rock and a hard place. I hope that more and more Blatheists will speak up as time goes on.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

I hope so, too. That's part of what this documentary is about: the hope that more black skeptics will speak up. Interesting to hear about your experience as a black actor in predominately black productions. I can see how there would be awkwardness, and it is interesting to hear accounts of how the religiosity is not just on-camera, but behind the scenes as well. My hope is that this documentary (and the eventual full-length doc) will help to change this religious stigma that is firmly planted on African-Americans and show that we are not a monolith!

"I would drop dead trying to search for information if I had to" I admire this man so much you don't even know.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Excellent points, summer. Yes, both the whole Atheist community as well as different racial communities can greatly benefit from the acceptance of Non-believers of Color. This would combat this attitude of there being something wrong with someone if they don't believe in a god. We're just like anyone else, except that we have come to the conclusion that there is no god that we believe in. Thank you also for hoping things get better for those of us who have to deal with the intersectionality of our people and our lack of faith. It isn't easy (it certainly hasn't been for me), but life isn't about everything being easy, is it?

While I can understand that currently black atheists have to stand up 'by themselves', because their stigma is even larger than our own, I do hope we can finally put that race issue behind us once and for all and stand as one huge group together. Cause hell, I miss the black atheist speaking out on atheist festivals and I miss hearing good debates between a black atheist and who-ever else. I like hearing your voices too and I do hope to hear them more often and loudly

Extremely interesting short documentary on Atheism in the African American community...

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Dave!

@UncleSpellbinder

10 жыл бұрын

You're welcome.

Greydon Square is a genius.

Glad I'm an Atheist. Thank you for uploading this.

Yes, very interesting. I too would like to see an extended take on this, with people from outside the USA as well.

@DrMcCoy

10 жыл бұрын

***** nicoleeeeeeeeeeeeeeee (wait, the e in your name is silent?)

Fantastic! Thank you for sharing these experiences, these voices. And for being a part of this: “When images are normalized in popular culture, that has a huge impact.”

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much, Brianne. That quote hits at the very heart of what I'm trying to do here. Frederick, the gay man in this video, actually spoke about how "Dharma and Greg" helped make the gay community seem less alien to those not familiar with it. This was in a soundbite that I wanted to use, but could not fit into this mini-doc. I'm hoping for something like that to happen for Atheism and Black Atheists in particular.

I was brought here by the Black Atheists page on FB. Thanks for the great documentary. Subscribed

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

I'm also a member of the Black Atheists group on Facebook, though I don't post often. Good to see you here, and thank you for the kind words.

WOW! This warmed my heart. Ive spent a lot of time thinking about this very subject. This needs to be a full length doc. GREAT, GREAT job Mr. Johnson and Thank you!

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

With a lot of work and a little bit of luck, it will indeed be a full length doc someday soon. Stay tuned...

Thank you so much for producing and sharing this.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you for taking the time to watch and leave feedback.

This is really well made, thanks for bringing it to my attention. I've never faced any real struggle with being an atheist and it's always healthy to hear about someone else's experiences.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

I definitely wanted to illuminate the unique experience of black atheism. I'm glad to see people are seeing a new perspective. Thank you for your input!

@SagesseNoir

10 жыл бұрын

Hmmm....If you've never had any real struggles with being an atheist are you from a large cosmopolitan urban community? Your picture suggests that you are not from a Black or other religiously drenched minority community. It is really hard being unreligious in those communities.

I would love to see this as a full length documentary. I think it's paced really well and it covers a lot of ground for only being 15 minutes. The editing, lighting and sound are really well done. It looks completely professional. --This is Niala btw =D

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much, Niala! I definitely do plan on expanding this in the near future. I'll let you know when I do. And feel free to share this with whoever you'd like to share it with.

This was so great, wish it was longer.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Full length doc is still in the planning stages. Stay tuned!

@Ryattt81

9 жыл бұрын

darrinjohnsonnews I literally forgot I'd seen this and went to the comments to say I wish it was longer...to my surprise I had already watched it and said the same exact thing. It seemed really familiar though lol. Let us know when you've finished it, it is fantastic so far

Great work with this mini documentary. Hope you continue to explore the topic.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you Mark-Anthony. Plans for further exploration are in their early stages. With the support of people like you, a full length documentary will certainly happen.

Great Video. Very Enjoyable and thought provoking.

Thanks for this documentary.

@darrinjohnsonnews

9 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the kind words.

the desire to look, learn more, ask questions... well said.

Ok, I will continue to follow and wait for more. Thanks.

This was well done, inspiring, and informative. I hope to see more in the future. Kudos!

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Mario. Please stay tuned, as I'm working on expanding this into a full length documentary. Unfortunately, there is a lot of work to be done to even get this project started, but trust me when I say that an expansion is in development!

amazing...I appreciate the time put into this.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you, CWARated. It was a lot of time indeed, but worth it if it gave you something to think about.

Keep on growing. It's good to hear about people who believe in thinking instead of mind-numbing faith without any evidence. Why is it that people who believe in childish fairy tales without any evidence believe they are right and those who don't are wrong?

Excellent video, beautifully done. Commendations to the makers.

This was well done. Excellent presentation.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you B redwhiteblue.

More of this please.

Excellent video!! We need to talk about this more.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Hopefully this will get that conversation moving forward.

Absolutely brilliant documentary my brotha. Keep up the good work. Shout out to all the free thinkers out there. Black Atheist from the Motor City...

Fantastic video. It helps me feel less alone in this world knowing that I am among fellow black skeptics!

awesome video !!! greetings from Brazil

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you Gustavo! Greetings from the U.S.!

Very good documentary. I find it an excellent work.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Mr. Carmoega.

Please do more videos. This was great.

@darrinjohnsonnews

9 жыл бұрын

I'd really love to. Unfortunately, I currently lack the equipment to make any more. Still working on that...

I've been a mixed race skeptic for the longest time, absolutely loved this documentary. Like many others I grew up being forced to say prayer and sometimes go to church w/ out knowing what its for. I once had a caretaker who was so deeply religious, that whenever I was dropped off at her house, she wouldn't let me do ANYTHING unless I went to church. Last thanksgiving, my dad had friends over and one of them seemed to be really cool. We talked about video games and 3D modeling and stuff, and then he brought God into the conversation and it all broke down. Then of course, I was forced to hold hands and bow my head in prayer. None of it made any sense to me and they didn't respect my own beliefs, or rather lack thereof. I want to just disconnect from all my family and move, I feel as if it would be better than trying to go to family meetings/weddings/funerals with the fear of almost certain rejection. Churches are on every street, crosses are in every house, bibles are sitting on every desk. I feel like Christianity is a dark swarm that envelops me and I can't see my own path anymore. I'm legit scared and I do not know what to do next.

thank for posting

@darrinjohnsonnews

9 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching.

Great documentary. Can't wait to see an extended version or similar subject

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Tawani. There is definitely the demand for it. I am in the beginning stages of planning for an expansion.

@TawaniAnyangwe

10 жыл бұрын

Edy the Coyote Encinias thx a million

@georgettewolf6743

10 жыл бұрын

My heart really goes out to anybody who has fought with their family about religion. I've been there too. I see a strange echo in another way. My mom's side of the family was all of Irish descent, and there was the same link of church to ethnicity -- in this case, the catholic church. Only in recent years has the bond broken, because of the pedophilia scandal and in Ireland itself the use of young women who had become involved in some local scandal as slave labourers in something called the Magdalene Laundries.

Solid and well orchestrated/informative short film.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Haneed!

@haneefshaheed9985

10 жыл бұрын

No doubt king! Thank you darrinjohnsonnews .

African Americans need to research the history of their religiosity.

Really great doc, well done for packing in so much in 15 mins, would love to see it full length! ^^ I wonder how the situation in the UK compares.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much. I am certainly planning on extending this and making it full length. Plans are in the early stages. Just need to see what resources I can gather. Unfortunately, I have no current plans to look at the situation in the UK in my documentary, but I'm interested in the question and would like to know the answer myself.

Bravo! Well done!

Excellent documentary! I would very much enjoy watching an extended version, with more subjects, and a chapter dedicated to relations between white and black (or black and non-black) atheists. The black experience is so different because of black culture is so infused with religion. And not just any religion. Usually a pretty conservative form or christianity (of course, I am ignoring the many black muslims, but one issue at a time). Frankly, I wish there was a way that I, mediterranean stock white Italian man, could support the struggle of black atheists outside a patronizing environment. But I think that if anything, black atheists are going to play a major role in making all atheists more accepted in society as well. If they can change the perception of atheists in their community and especially in their entertainment and popular culture, that's going to make a major difference for all culture, for all atheists. I think we need more black atheist musicians, directors, screenwriters. We need black shows were after the atheist fiancee reveals his/her beliefs, there is no break up. Where the discussion is centered not on "what made you an atheist" but on "how could your parents stop talking to you because of that. A child is more important than a sky daddy". I am not sure about the author's plans about this documentary, but I can see a version that goes more in depth be successful. Even generate that change we would all would like to see.

@Sk3ptik0n

10 жыл бұрын

Forgot to add: kickstarter. I would give this project more than my $0.02.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Hmm...Kickstarter? I'm not sure why it never occurred to me to go through Kickstarter to get a full documentary funded. I just may do that. Thank you for your compliments and input, Mr. Strada! I definitely did plan on showing more of the Black/White differences in Atheism in an extended version. You're right about the form of Christianity that is often practiced by blacks as being remarkably conservative. I say remarkably, because of Blacks often being associated with the Democratic (and more liberal) party. The primary way I feel that the conversation on race in the Black community and in the larger Atheist can change is by putting the word out. We have so much media that is saying that it is wrong to be black and Atheist, and as you mentioned, we need more media (T.V., movies, music and online) that says otherwise. We need more examples of blacks being more than just the stereotypical hyper-religious caricatures that we see all day, every day. We have a story that needs to be told, and this is my attempt to do my part to get the word out there.This is a message that can be spread by everyone. Not just blacks.

@catdumpling

10 жыл бұрын

darrinjohnsonnews add me to the list of people that would love to see a full-length documentary! i think Kickstarter is worth looking into, as well as IndieGoGo and some of the other crowdfunding sites. they all operate a little differently, so one might be a better fit than the others. this sort of thing always interests me, but i'm a white atheist: i kinda already have a pretty good handle on the whole White Atheist Experience, so i get kind of bored with the average atheism documentary. i'd much rather see and learn about a far more ethnically diverse collection of fellow atheists; not only from a "human condition" standpoint, but also to have a better understanding of the unique difficulties of various cultural backgrounds in regards to being an atheist. i think it would do a tremendous amount of good for atheists in general, especially when it comes to outreach and letting people know that it's okay to not believe in a god, no matter how engrained it might be in that person's culture and upbringing. on the flipside of that, hopefully it will bring a greater awareness to their communities that, yes, atheists are the same loving, successful, intelligent people they always were.

@BruceHeerssen

10 жыл бұрын

darrinjohnsonnews Kickstarter isn't the only game in town. Do some research before you decide on a funding vehicle. You may well do better somewhere else. Or you may not. But you won't know until you investigate your options. (I don't have any opinions about, or experience with, any of the different funding options out there, so I can't offer more specific advice.)

@dreimer2112

10 жыл бұрын

darrinjohnsonnews The subject is so ripe for exploration, you would probably have difficulty cutting it down to a single documentary. The origin of black religiosity is tremendously interesting. But I think you're right to emphasize the portrayal in media, because as a white Canadian whose exposure to black culture is almost exclusively through the media, it is almost impossible to separate black culture from religiosity. If you decide to do a Kickstarter campaign, I would absolutely contribute.

Very well executed Doc! I enjoyed this!

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Ms. RedStingBlogs.

Great vid!

@darrinjohnsonnews

9 жыл бұрын

Thank you AsmoAtlt!

Wow amazing documentary

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Sweetiepie!

Extremely interesting. It's so rare to hear black Atheists speak out. I wish it was a bit longer, though. Someone needs to make an epic black Atheist documentary!

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

A full length doc is in the works! Just working on getting funding for it...

@SpaceCattttt

10 жыл бұрын

darrinjohnsonnews Wish I could help out with donations, but even though I'm an Atheist, I'm not a rich one. :) Good luck.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

teppolundgren Ha ha! I know what it's like to not have much money, but thank you for the well wishes!

Holy crap I remember watching that episode of Good Times when I was little. My Dad got mad and turned the channel.

This video is nice. We need to start more intellectual conversations like this everywhere

Good video, both content and quality...

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Ping Pong!

more!! Post more, please.

Interesting. Really interesting stuff. I hope skeptic/atheist groups can combine whether they define themselves as white or black or whatever. We're ultimately the same.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

I appreciate the sentiment, but I think it's the embracing of our cultural differences that is the key.

@nicklj2480

10 жыл бұрын

I don't think I understand. You think white and black people should be in separate groups?

Very good documentary. Very informative.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you Metalhead!

Excellent video.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Godis MEME.

Long time follower of GU, really good stuff here. I also would like to see a full length documentary.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Brian. Glad to see that GU is representing here!

Thanks for this. It's refreshing to hear about atheism from perspectives different to my own.

New sub and supporter

This is fascinating. I wish you guys could of expanded it beyond 15 minuets.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

I still have plans on making a full length version that expands on much of what is said here. Plans are moving very slowly, but eventually there will be a full length doc made. Stay tuned!

This was a great documentary and I really needed to see it. I'm newly coming out as agnostic and made the decision to share my story in hopes to connect with other like minded people. Here's my video Coming Out- I'm not Religious *GASP* thanks again for this documentary, great job!

this was very interesting!

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Proatgaimz.

Great video!

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Sonia!

Thank you for a great video my fellow atheist.

Thanks for this guys. i'm in a boat by myself in southern baptist va. I know i'll have white support (in this issue in VA), but not black and that's the problem. I don't think the majority of my family would understand. I was raised by a very religious family so there would be serious ramifications and misunderstandings of my stance and skepticism. I know that going to college doesn't turn you into an atheist or make you more intelligent per-say, but being the first from my immediate family to go separates me greatly in the ability to use logic and reason. HA Ha i hear y'all now, "welcome to the real struggle buddy". Shit, being a christian you believe that everyone wants to persecute you and your beliefs, when in reality its the people that withhold belief and put forth logical skepticism that bear the persecution.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

I can directly relate to a lot of what you said here, Jon. I have at least one family member who has made the claim that college is evil and is some sort of conspiracy to turn people away from God. Most of my family is religious, and I've already experienced their disapproval. I haven't been disowned or anything, but some of my family are clearly not cool with my not being Christan anymore. As I've stated before, one of my primary goals with this was to let other black skeptics, or skeptics of any color who can relate to the stories being told here, know that there ARE others like them out there and they are not alone. And you, Mr. Colemon, are certainly not alone!

"I just know that I can't stop looking" Nailed it...

I especially love the part that talks about representation of black atheists in the media. Interestingly enough, the two movie clips were from movies based of plays by Lorraine Hansberry (an admitted atheist) and Langston Hughes (noted for his religious skepticism). So apparently they were all too familiar of the poor treatment of non-believers in their own community. I wish that someone would do something like that in a broader sense; that is, talk about media representation of atheists as a whole.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

Excellent point, TheAtticus! I have to admit that I didn't know that any of these films were based on a Langston Hughes play. Looks like I have more research to do.

@TheAtticus19

10 жыл бұрын

darrinjohnsonnews Yeah, Black Nativity was originally a play written by Hughes.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

TheAtticus Adam New I didn't know that! That adds yet another layer of depth to the story. Thank you for the info TheAtticus!

You're right it hasn't been easy for me either and life is not about being easy.I feel like somebody finally understands here thank you.

@darrinjohnsonnews

10 жыл бұрын

You're welcome, and thank you for the comments and support.