Comment by biobot on August 4, 2009 at 8:26am

Hello. I am new here. Based in Cape Town.

Comment by Warren Coetzer on September 26, 2009 at 1:53am

Hello Africa

Comment by Hitman on September 26, 2009 at 3:51pm

In case you didn't see it, here's a YouTube link to a British documentary about the abuse of children in Nigeria by the religious who believe they are witches. And you know what the bible says we should do to witches!
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=3ADD11D3C848738F

Comment by Richard on September 28, 2009 at 12:55am

Hey all of the fellow people! Wow, this group has grown quite a bit! Very nice to see all of you here! Kepp going strong all :)

Comment by Hitman on October 3, 2009 at 2:55pm

Do you think an organisation that labels itself atheist is possible or advisable in Africa? If the aim is merely to attack religion I can see the point. But if we want to work on broader issues (such as anti-witchcraft campaigns) I'm guessing that we would have to involve people and organisations that were religious but sympathetic to the issue at question? What do people think and what are your experiences and opinions?

Comment by Ralph Dumain on October 4, 2009 at 2:35am

I think there are humanists in Africa who do just this. And I'll add that being against superstition is far more important than opposing the notion of God as an abstract concept.

Comment by Mumba C Mumbi on October 7, 2009 at 3:56am

A typical African has very little formal education. This means s/he is basically illiterate. An illiterate fellow depends on others for information. This fellow is like a granny who calls a boy she believes can read, to tell her what the letter from her son says. That's why religion ( and other forms of superstition) find Africa a fertile ground. So when a culture dominated by the ignorant persists, doors and windows for any free thought are barred. That is why even the educated African still can not detach themselves from religious superstition. An open atheist group in Africa can work but it would need a lot of support. As on being advisable? Yes it is. We have to start chipping at the ice. Point is there are a lot on doubters around that would only come out when they realise we are there.

Comment by Warren Coetzer on October 7, 2009 at 6:04am

Hey Mumba, I totally agree with that sentiment. Until we begin to make ripples in the stagnant waters of "illiteracy", the swarming infestations of superstition will continue unchallenged.

Comment by Philip Copeman on October 7, 2009 at 10:45am

Where are you Mumba (What City?) - I still face this problem: I am 52 years old and I live in Cape Town. I have never, NOT ONCE, ever met a Black South African that is not a Creationist. I am not saying they are not out there, I just never met one.

Not that I care about race, but rip the whites out of this group and it starts to get really thin. This is going to be a long uphill battle

Comment by Mumba C Mumbi on October 8, 2009 at 11:49am

Philip, I am in Lusaka, ZAMBIA. I agree with you totally. Black Africans surely have problems facing the stupidity of religion in the face. As for Black South Africans with their superstitious foundation, it could be worse. I believe it a cultural issue. We are, almost always raised by overly religiously spooked parents and communities. And for us "belonging" is so important. This also has cultural roots. We are brought up in groups and at every milestone stage in life, be it marriage or divorce, the relatives, friends and communities have to play a role. So taking a step against creationism, even though we really don't take it seriously most of the times, is a daunting task. Take, for instance, my wife, who has lived with me for ten years and have I shown to her how foolish it is to spend time listening to a shallow minded character calling himself a pastor every Sunday, not to mention how contradictory the concept of god itself is, she is still uncomfortable to say abash religion. You can see that she does not believe in the nonsense, but she will always claim she is a christian. That's black Africans for you. It is sometimes frustrating, but we live and let live.

Besides most black Africans are not as educated and their exposure to scientist tools that would help them answer most puzzling phenomena is very limited. For instance there are very few Zambians of Philip's age that have access to IT tools such as the computer, not to mention their ability to use them.

Poverty and ignorance plays to make them remain confused and keep looking quick-fix, superstitious solutions.

Therefore the solution lies in EDUCATION and EDUCATION.

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