That's a really good question. I know that the black church has a valuable social community aspect for many and especially those who feel marginalized in society. I have to tread very very lightly as a non-believer there. Emphasize shared values of social justice and community and civil rights for all and don't try to argue anyone out of their current belief system.

Some religions have somewhat separate religious and cultural components (Judaism is a good example; for the most part, cultural Judaism tolerates atheism and other forms of non-observance quite well). I think the black churches have some of this going on. It has evolved into a very strong community quite apart from religious dogma. The difference from Judaism is that they don't, as far as I know, tolerate non-observance so overt as that offered by atheism.

i don't tell people how to think!

if the institution robs people for a living, it needs to stop, and if that is its function, or its nature, then it needs to be stopped. african americans can remember it fondly and move on. i'm not saying it will be easy... but in the end, freedom is freedom.

g

What do Atheists think of the ‘Black Church?’ This one remains confused.. Worshiping the make believe ‘lord’ of their one-time oppressors..? New to the east, from the Pacific NW, to me black culture seems new as well. There’s a ‘black church’ on my way to work, extremely rural, I’ve no idea how far they must be driving to get there, but they do.

Obviously, MLK Jr used the church, for good… And apparently, it’s one of few meeting places relatively safe from white terrorists. I’ve watched many documentary examples of what takes place inside, but why? The need to rally or congregate is apparent, but the acceptance of ‘jesus’ as ‘their saviour?’

Honestly, if there’s anything that makes me doubt the sanity of humanity, ‘that’ could be exhibit A…