Harriet Hampton: Mental Slavery Abolitionist

Today I felt inspired to create so I decided to put on some music that I hadn’t listened to in a while. It was a rap mixtape and as I listened through the album I stopped at one of the songs by a brilliant artist (who shall remain nameless due to the nature of this blog). The overture that continuously played throughout referenced a belief and faith in god and god’s assistance through troubled times. Though I myself am a non-believer, this song spoke to me in a way that gave me a sense of motivation as I began my day of creation. Though the artist and I have a religious divergent worldview, what we did share was a belief that one can make it through struggles to a brighter future.

I wanted others to hear the song so I shared it over various social networks. I realized I hadn’t heard from the artist in a while so I contacted one of our mutual friends to ask how things were doing with him. The friend informed me that the artist decided to cut ties with me. After trying to avoid the issue head on, our mutual friend gave me the bottom line. The simple answer was because I do not believe in god.

I am not ashamed of my non-belief and I do not hide it. Often I am known to outwardly question the common opinion and beliefs of others that I find are detrimental to humanity. I often reference the mass amounts of war, genocide, infanticide, rape, oppression etc. that has and continues to take place “in the name of god.” Although I have these beliefs, my friends and acquaintances run the gamut from Catholic priests, protestant pastors, and various forms of spiritualists, to agnostics, freethinkers, and atheists.

Having these individuals in my life in whatever role allows for rich discourse, understanding, and even creates effective change. While I may largely disagree with them on matters of faith many of them stick around because they respect the nature of my questioning and sometimes just to pray for me. LOL

Though this is often the case, there are many, primarily Christians, who jump ship. They are like the artist I previously mentioned and find my line of questioning and my beliefs repulsive and therefore disassociate themselves with me. While I do not enjoy religious proselytizing and find it to be counterproductive and unnecessary, it seems that to “jump ship” is yet another point of Christian hypocrisy.

Often we hear scriptures quoted about the need to be Christ-like, and how Christ himself “ate with sinners.” Yet, I find that many Christians not only refuse to eat with so-called “sinners” and “non-believers” but they outright lock the doors to the restaurant.

As trivial as it may be that I was simply trying to “show love” to an artist who I still believe is a genius; this small gesture highlights a larger problem. I, a non-believer was willing to look passed difference and find the common ground in respect for the talent and a hope that others could be touched by it. Yet that effort was diminished merely because my beliefs are seemingly aberrant.

Many times people keep those who are rude, disrespectful, unproductive, and morally bankrupt as a friend or acquaintance just because they “profess” to believe in god. Adversely, those who are kind, upstanding, caring, honest and ethical yet, lacks a certain belief, are ostracized.

Examples of this can be seen in the many positive efforts being made by humanists across the world to do much greater things than just share the gift of good music as I was so doing today. These humanists are often denied, shunned, and ridiculed in their efforts to bring peace and aid those in serious need all because of their difference and lack of religious belief.

I am no “saint” and have had my shortcomings but this experience today showed me once again how often the non-believer shows more love to their neighbor than those who were scripturally mandated to do so. 

(Source: The Un-Shining Light)