Study: More African-Americans Putting Aside Religious Faiths

Although African-Americans remain a largely religious demographic, Black atheists and agnostics, such as the Black Skeptics of Los Angeles, are becoming more appealing and leaving religious faiths behind, writes University of Southern California’s Intersection South LA publication.

SEE ALSO: When Social Issues, Faith Collide

According to the American Religious Identification Survey of 2008 (ARIS 2008), the number of Black persons without any religious affiliation jumped from 6 to 11 percent between 1990 and 2008, mirroring a national trend amongst all Americans that saw a jump from 8 to 15 percent.

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“There have always been African-American free thinkers, humanists, agnostics and atheists who have really foregrounded the connection between eschewing religion and the liberation struggle, particularly as it pertains to women and the LGBT community,” said Black Skeptics of Los Angeles founder Sikivu Hutchinson to Intersections South LA. Ms. Hutchinson is part of a national effort led by the group African-Americans for Humanism, leading to a controversial billboard ad in Los Angeles openly questioning religion.