---
title: "What is it like to be an African-American atheist"
date: "2014-01-16T11:05:51+00:00"
modified: "2014-01-16T11:05:51+00:00"
url: "https://newhumanist.org.uk/2014/01/16/what-is-it-like-to-be-an-african-american-atheist/"
post_id: 6110
categories: ["Uncategorised"]
---

# What is it like to be an African-American atheist

From slavery to the civil rights era, to the enduring role of the church in community life, African-American history is deeply entwined with Christianity. An increasing number of black Americans are choosing to reject religion, but they remain a largely invisible minority in the face of media-reinforced stereotypes that presume that African-Americans will hold firm religious beliefs.

In this short documentary, filmmaker Darrin Johnson explores the status of atheism within African-American families and communities, and meets some non-believers from California about their experiences with breaking from religion.

It’s a fascinating subject, and one that we have looked at previously in New Humanist – if the documentary captures your interest, take a look at the US journalist [Jamila Bey’s piece](articles/2727/i-may-as-well-be-a-unicorn) on her experiences as an African-American atheist.