Heading: A Nigerian Atheist’s Struggles with Religious Intolerance
A Nigerian university professor and atheist mother has revealed the difficulties she and her children have encountered at the hands of Christians.
@UjuAnya, who was brought up in a predominantly conservative Christian environment, shared how her children are approached by people who warn them about the perceived dangers of atheism and the threat of hell.
She also disclosed the challenges of openly identifying as an atheist, particularly within her religious family circle.
In a series of tweets, the individual explained her experiences as an openly apostate Nigerian-Trinidadian-American atheist navigating various aspects of life, from parenting to family and friendships.
Having been raised in a predominantly conservative Christian setting, including Catholic and Pentecostal influences, my rejection of God in my late 20s was a disappointment to my Catholic mother, who urged me to return to the Church until her death.
Despite most of my friends being believers of various faiths, I engage in religious gatherings and am open about discussing my views on religious oppression and abuse.
One of the main challenges I face relates to my devoutly religious family members, who take offense at my atheism, criticize my parenting, and frequently inquire about my return to faith.
Their discomfort with my atheism extends to the point where they compare me unfavorably to a felon relative, citing his acceptance of Jesus as a measure of his supposed moral superiority.
Furthermore, they shield their children from me and perpetuate negative perceptions about my morality, viewing my existence as an atheist as a contradiction to their teachings.
Another significant challenge arises from interactions with my children’s teachers and classmates, who have subjected them to religious-based mistreatment and taunts about hell due to our family’s non-religious stance.
Despite not teaching my children to denigrate religious faith or believers, simply stating our non-belief is seen as offensive to some, who interpret it as a challenge to their own faith.
My children and I also contend with the misconception that moral goodness is inherently tied to religious belief, leading some to view us as selfish and devoid of moral accountability.
Although individuals who assert the harms of atheism and express concerns for our salvation may genuinely believe they are acting out of love, their insinuations, threats, and emotional manipulation do not reflect such sentiments.
Ultimately, the most significant challenge we face is not our personal experiences as non-believers, but the prejudices and burdens imposed upon us by others due to their own fears and insecurities.