LiberaDeus:


Hahaha
But living in Nigeria, you see lunatics on the street at least every other day. It doesn't scare you, being mad is one thing, being dangerous is another.

What's so bad about the wrath of many mad people? They would hate you, curse you and smugly tell you they are praying for you but if you ain't living in Kano or zamfara, all these would still remain social issues that don't really bring bodily harm to you.

Do you also know how many smart, well read folks would have seen things differently just because you are outspoken?

Trust me when I say that many Nigerians haven't seen an atheist before, they have an evil stereotypical view of them, a lady in my former workplace refused to believe I was a freethinker just because she had a belief that all atheists were occultic, wealthy folks who just sat at home and money followed them, her question to me was " why are you still here working, why won't you just be at home making money?"
.

Imagine such dogmatic, ignorant thinking

For Nigerians, these terms mean the same thing

Freemason
Freethinkers
Atheist
Agnostic
Mystic
Occult
Spiritist
Diviner

Many still think am just joking or just trying to get some attention, I don't blame them because their view of freethinkers doesn't fit and will never fit with what we really are. That's why I want us to be outspoken because we have the power to influence the future of this nation.


When people start seeing that we are human like them and most mportantly when they see our reasons and intellect then they would reconsider their stance, worst case scenario : they liberalize their views, best case scenario: they reconsider the whole bullshit they believe

We can't let darkness dominate just because they have more numbers. We hold the real light of mental freedom and I think its selfish for us to even go as far as pretending to be like them. You might never record any atheist convert but somewhere someone is seeing the real life of an atheist.

When one is ready to start an organisation for atheists or humanists, then I will be open.

The humanists and atheist organisations in the USA and UK fight for the rights of non-religious people. They even fight for satanists at times.

If people have my back, then I too will have their backs.



This is the only way we can grow. But after experiencing backbiters on this very forum...........

LiberaDeus:


No if na that market own, just forget am. You don die be that. After lynching you, Wetin you go see for nairaland na " male witch killed in market after trying to hypnotize and kidnap traders"

I cant

lepasharon:


Harsh but i agree. What do you think of the OP?

I think its important to let ppl know where you stand. Sure, you may have some arguments with ppl and they wont agree with you but just get the word out and the stuff you say will definately be imprinted in their minds. It's important to represent

If I start a humanist NGO, would you and liberadeus join as trustees?

Lennycool:

Yeah I do this often.
Like one of my friends was really surprised about my atheism and all, he couldn't believe that someone could ever doubt something as certain as the existence of God. The guy was always prodding me until I had enough.
That day I followed him to his house all the while bombarding him with logic.
At the end I saw something change in him, he laughed heartily and shook me firmly.
"Hailing atheist man!"
The guy never worry me since.
Most people think you can't defend you stance logically they see your position as downright mad.
Present logical that no human can deny and they will fall.
Happened to another of my friend too. I personally made that guy irreligious (to a point) and another I turned into an atheist one time. The answer has been in most of these guys faces for a long time, they just need someone to prod the fires of reasoning.
I once believed everything in the Bible even though I quite respected scientific laws, i saw nothing wrong with God killing people, or supporting slavery.
I simply never thought deeply about any of it, till someone made me think on them(Stephen king, John Green, Founder of Howstuffswork). And now I'm an atheist.
So we must be outspoken, we most be the anti venom to religious delusion. Some causes are greater than just one person.

Exactly what am saying.
The most important thing is that those your friends didn't villify or castigate you afterwards. That's what I keep saying that not every Christian is like pidgin or analice.


I think it's pointless doing so much to hide your belief when most of the people you would tell would actually be ok with it, they might not embrace you with open hands but at least they won't kill you. And in the end you are doing them the greatest service ever.


That's why most Nigerians who have lived abroad for a long while have been forced to be tolerant. We can't just allow the light of our knowledge to be intimidated back into oblivion. We know all their arguments, we even had those arguments back then but they don't know what we have to tell them and they can't stand it and remain the same.

Lennycool:


Even inside bus sef, man suppose to chill except you wan trek the rest of your journey.

As in eeh. Driver go take am Sey you be devil Wey wan crash in motor. Dem go refund your money, drop you for road.

JackBizzle:



If I start a humanist NGO, would you and liberadeus join as trustees?

A sounding yes.

I would gladly join and donate oh. I don't know about Sharon. Am even looking for a live group to be part of.

Nigerians that are non religious truly need to be discrete, especially those living in the north. Nigeria is ultra religious , the north is super ultra religious. Conservative Islam is everything in the North. It is crazy. The people can't reason or do anything outside Islam no matter their level of education or exposure. Islam has a way of using fear to enslave the mind the way no other religion does. It entraps the mind in ways I can't not even explain. Free thinkers living in the North need to be very careful because they will never be reasoned with. Never!
Atheist are viewed worse than Boko Haram, and the thieving politicians that have destroyed and will continue to destroy the country.

Nice writeup. Though Nigeria is too far right that our own left (the 'liberal south') are actually really conservative. And yeah, I've been very vocal about my opposition to harmful belief systems. Some of my friends were shocked at first but now I have discussions once in a while and I enjoy them. Some try to 'ridicule' me, thinking that I don't know any better and to them I just politely smile and say nothing. But its fun looking at the reaction on people's face when I say that a lot of things they hold so dearly are figments of their imagination. However, I have also not reached the end of the road, I currently see myself as a Deist and am still searching for more answers but the pieces of the puzzle are starting to fit and make sense to me

JackBizzle:



If I start a humanist NGO, would you and liberadeus join as trustees?

In Africa? Yes sir

KanwuliaExtra

LiberaDeus:


A sounding yes.

I would gladly join and donate oh. I don't know about Sharon. Am even looking for a live group to be part of.

lepasharon:


In Africa? Yes sir

I will hold you to that. The first nigerian humanist ngo is coming soon

The church I attend once had to answer a case where the father refused to let his son in and practically disowned in all but words.

The reason : The son told his father he was now a free-thinker.
Not even atheist, freethinker.

Personally, my friends know me to be "confusing". I argue against religious tenets and yet I actually do a lot of stuffs in church.
If I told them I was atheist, oh, boy, I have little doubt that a video of me being beaten for deliverance will grace Nairaland's FP (my church is very very fundamentalist. Fire burn my ancestor's demons and that sorta stuff).

I think what is needed in Nigeria right now is massive education.
Nigerian religious people tend to look at professors and doctors in fields like philosophy and medicine with distrust and suspicion because "Too much learning makes a man rebellious" or "God alone heals" and other nonsense like that.

Personally, I feel anyone who wants to come out as atheist should be well known in his community already as philantrophic or law-abiding to avoid stories that touch.

My Church recently celebrated for me, ten years of playing the keyboard in the church. they even bought a cake took pictures, and then they asked me to play any song I wanted. the hymn I ended up playing got them all crying.

I'm also the youth choir master and song leader.
In real life, I'm usually described as "funny", "jovial", "smart" and "kind" and yet, I'm an agnostic atheist. I'm currently surrounded on every side by religious friends and acquaintances. The thing is, most times, it's very much less stressful to just not come out. the unnecessary problems that result are often . . . unnecessary.

if I ever decide to come out, I will have first spent the three previous years distancing myself from this circle. but even so, it's going to break a lot of hearts.

SirWere:


Personally, I feel anyone who wants to come out as atheist should be well known in his community already as philantrophic or law-abiding to avoid stories that touch.

Very well put

Teempakguy:
My Church recently celebrated for me, ten years of playing the keyboard in the church. they even bought a cake took pictures, and then they asked me to play any song I wanted. the hymn I ended up playing got them all crying.

I'm also the youth choir master and song leader.
In real life, I'm usually described as "funny", "jovial", "smart" and "kind" and yet, I'm an agnostic atheist. I'm currently surrounded on every side by religious friends and acquaintances. The thing is, most times, it's very much less stressful to just not come out. the unnecessary problems that result are often . . . unnecessary.

if I ever decide to come out, I will have first spent the three previous years distancing myself from this circle. but even so, it's going to break a lot of hearts.

Guy you dey try oh . You dey really try oh

My own personal character flaw is that am too arrogant towards the ignorant. If there is anything I feel that should separate humans into social classes and strata that thing is knowledge or exposure.
For me pretending around religious people is like pretending around kids.

Am not apologetic about the fact that I look down on those who are deeply religious. I don't look down on the entirety of their lives, many of them are successful businessmen, career folks etc but when I look at their religious lifestyle I can't help but shake my head in disdain and disgust.
So for me to pretend around them is much much harder for me.

Well I believe you being a musician might have encouraged you. Believe me when I say there are few places that practice the harmony and completeness of music like churches.

Maybe you are in love with your trade. But the day you will come out of the closet, the drama you will see eh, the laughs would be worth a lifetime.

lepasharon:
KanwuliaExtra

Ameeeeeeeen!!!!
Kemi Omololu Olunloyo is MY GREATEEEEEEST role model

I worship that woman.
As for being a free thinker in Nigeria?
No point. Why argue with brain-washed fools?

I am not a 'Jesus Christ' o. My life is not a cheap commodity to be sacrificed for "religious PSYCHOS"!
I have retired from that kain business o.
I only associate with people of LIKE INTERESTS AND SUPERIOR INTELLIGENCE.

Very educative thread. When you used to be one of these fire-brand Christians before dumping religion, it can be hard concealing your state of unbelief.

My close relatives and almost all my friends know I'm no longer a Christian, but that is just it. I live in the north so I know what length people can go to prove the existence of their god. And me I neva wan die o. I have been involved in some pretty serious debate of recent and it usually doesn't end pretty.

I have decided to tone it down. No more debates, or arguments, at least for now. If possible, I will stop disclosing my atheism to people except I am absolutely sure I have nothing to lose.

Good evening.

@avaa: Most importantly, never debate muslims. Once they start losing they will find something to be "offended" about and you'll be in danger.

KanwuliaExtra:


Ameeeeeeeen!!!!
Kemi Omololu Olunloyo is MY GREATEEEEEEST role model

I worship that woman.
As for being a free thinker in Nigeria?
No point. Why argue with brain-washed fools?

I am not a 'Jesus Christ' o. My life is not a cheap commodity to be sacrificed for "religious PSYCHOS"!
I have retired from that kain business o.
I only associate with people with LIKE INTERESTS AND SUPERIOR INTELLIGENCE.

Ur too much U kinda remind me of her still

Are you open about being agnostic at all? What is ur approach to tell ppl, also how is the attitude of Nigerians towards you when they discover ur neither Christian or Muslim?

avaa:
Very educative thread. When you used to be one of these fire-brand Christians before dumping religion, it can be hard concealing your state of unbelief.

My close relatives and almost all my friends know I'm no longer a Christian, but that is just it. I live in the north so I know what length people can go to prove the existence of their god. And me I neva wan die o. I have been involved in some pretty serious debate of recent and it usually doesn't end pretty.

I have decided to tone it down. No more debates, or arguments, at least for now. If possible, I will stop disclosing my atheism to people except I am absolutely sure I have nothing to lose.

Good evening.

What do you mean by it doesn't end pretty. Is your life threatened or something?

Everyone knows I'm atheist. I don't hide it. I try to educate people respectfully and my 'wit' helps me navigate uncomfortable situations.

I've lived with an aunt who is a deaconess in one of the big churches. She'd preach to me everytime, but with time, she got to respect me for being open and honest.. It influenced her perspective and, with time, she grew more relaxed and trusting around me.

Don't hide who you are for anyone. It's really not worth it. A lot of you have passion and zeal to change things, to change our sorry affairs. Surely, even logic agrees that silence is acceptance.

Ride your fears.

KanwuliaExtra:


Ameeeeeeeen!!!!
Kemi Omololu Olunloyo is MY GREATEEEEEEST role model

I worship that woman.
As for being a free thinker in Nigeria?
No point. Why argue with brain-washed fools?

I am not a 'Jesus Christ' o. My life is not a cheap commodity to be sacrificed for "religious PSYCHOS"!
I have retired from that kain business o.
I only associate with people with LIKE INTERESTS AND SUPERIOR INTELLIGENCE.

Miss kanwulia.. U still dey NL.. Muskeeto greets you o. u just dey age crasefully dey go..

Seun:
@avaa: Most importantly, never debate muslims. Once they start losing they will find something to be "offended" about and you'll be in danger.

How many times have you been in "danger"?
When white men generalise you black men as inferior to them you will try to get offended

[quote author=hopefulLandlord post=53865445]Inasmuch as I would love atheists and freethinkers to be more open and only a few things would give me more joy than that, I still wouldn't say Nigeria is ripe enough for this

First, Nigeria is a little too ultrareligious, it runs so deep its unbelievable

My advice is that any freethinker that wants to be open should be already known for SEVERAL good things, this softens the situation and goes aong way into helping him/her achieve acceptance from those around him

Example, when someone learns about Seun, the first thing that comes to mind is "Oh! That guy owns Nairaland, which is one of the most visited sites in Nigeria, he's a millionaire and very young", at this point he already has several "positives" ascribed to him and rightly so that even if his atheism is brought up now it wouldn't change much about the perception of him

This makes it easy for someone like him to be more open, those other achievements have a way of giving a very soft landing for him and dents his image in a negligible way

In my own case, I'm not as popular as Seun, but I try to make sure everyone that knows I'm an atheist already knows a lot of other good things about me and I do this like my life depends on it BECAUSE it might depend on it!

I'm known more for being charitable, very kind, considerate, jovial at times, very gentle, focused, knowledgeable about many things, always ready to help when I can, very slow to anger (very very slow to anger), good listener, counsellor etc of course that doesn't mean I'm a doormat or a sissy, far from it, I do stand firm and put my foot down when necessary but since my source of livelihood isn't in anyway connected to my area, those times are very rare and while I'm very private, I welcome almost anyone into my home

What this does is that once someone that has known me more for such things find out I'm an atheist, he/she doesn't have this violent emotional reaction or look of disdain

I've lost count of the number of times people have approached me to ask directly if I'm really an atheist like someone told them and I'll reply in the affirmative, they'll then say that they thought I was a "Christian" all these while because I behave like one

Make sure people know you for good things other than atheism and try as much as you could to make those "other qualities" more pronounced

In Nigeria, its a recipe for disaster if the first thing someone knows about you is that you're an atheist because you would hardly have the fair hearing you deserve due to the fact that the average Nigerian regards atheists to be worse than paganists, worse than Boko Haram (never mind their denying that), worse than armed robbers, worse than rapists, worse than our corrupt politicians, worse than the worst of the worst things you can think of

this prejudice is responsible for atheism not having mainstream attention, don't be fooled by church and mosque goers, some of them are atheists doing that for survival and keeping up appearances, some of the monickers that argue here are only doing it when online and keep their atheism to themselves physically and believe me they're not stupid for doing that

I want us to come out but let us individually think it through because there's no one size fits all; if you feel your source of livelihood is dependent on your keeping up appearance, please continue with the façade because there's no mythical heaven or any benefit whatsoever connected to your sacrificing your livelihood for atheism

those that are still dependent on ultrareligious parents and families for support especially financial and educational support shouldn't come out and if they want to do that they can start by telling their parents that a "Friend of mine just told me he's an atheist, how can someone say he doesn't believe in any god?" ask their opinion on the matter and watch and take note of their reaction; many ultrareligious parents would tell you to AVOID that
friend and that should tell you

sonofluc1fer:

Miss kanwulia.. U still dey NL.. Muskeeto greets you o. u just dey age crasefully dey go..

Long time. Oh yes o.
It has been 10 years almost(May/JUNE) on NL.
My MILITIA and BABBEELOVE IDs don vanish tey tey.
I dey KAMKPEEEEEEEEE GIDIGBAAAAAA!
No shaking!

lepasharon:


Ur too much U kinda remind me of her still

Are you open about being agnostic at all? What is ur approach to tell ppl, also how is the attitude of Nigerians towards you when they discover ur neither Christian or Muslim?

Thank yooooooooou.

I toooooo loooooooove that woman.
I would LOOOOOOOOOOVE to meet her someday.
Those are the TYPES of women I loooooooove to have in my life.
Working on it.

To answer your ?s

I am VERILY, HAPPILY AGNOSTIC.
Have been for over 20 years.

My approach to telling people is not to tell them at all.
How do you explain to a BLIND person what he/she can NEVER see?
Even when it comes up, I don't discuss it.

Nigerians are only smart when it comes to CRIMINALITY.
They usually find out when I simply ignore them when they preach.
Or I politely tell them I am not interested, then they VANISH from my presence.

In a nutshell, THEY AVOID ME. But will NEVER HESITATE to come back and BEG for MONEY, FOOD, CLOTHES or a GOOOOOD PHOCK!

BLOODY HYPOCRITES.

I absolutely prefer MUSLIMS to CHRISTIANS.
Anyway, anyhow, anytime AND ANYWHERE!
You always know WHERE YOU STAND OR SIT with them.

Christians? The WORST of them all. EXTREMELY EVIL AND DECEPTIVE LIKE THEIR GOD!
In HIS own image and LIKENESS of DARKNESS.
You can see the way they behave on and off NL.

If I were to chose how to die, I'd rather be BLOWN to oblivion by a fake Muslim, not a TRUE CHRISTIAN.

FAKE pass FAKE abi?

Amen!!!!!

sonofluc1fer:
Everyone knows I'm atheist. I don't hide it. I try to educate people respectfully and my 'wit' helps me navigate uncomfortable situations.

I've lived with an aunt who is a deaconess in one of the big churches. She'd preach to me everytime, but with time, she got to respect me for being open and honest.. It influenced her perspective and, with time, she grew more relaxed and trusting around me.

Don't hide who you are for anyone. It's really not worth it. A lot of you have passion and zeal to change things, to change our sorry affairs. Surely, even logic agrees that silence is acceptance.

Ride your fears.

You of all people saying this?

as usual, you cannot take away madness from "these" freethinkers..

One thing they are good at is the tendency to play the victim card. See them brainstorming for survival strategy even while their perceived relevance anchors on a deep hatred towards God.

You want to stay immune from "insults", yet your beliefs anchor on a sheer hatred towards God? My brother, this na madness oo.

Nobody cares really, I meet a lot of freethinkers daily; 6 of 10 people you meet in Lagos today don't worship any God. Most don't even go to Church or Mosque; so what's the issue about?

There are lots of morally upright folks out there who do not belong to any denomination, so you folks should stop hiding and playing the victim card! The same freethinker that renamed holy ghost as holy goat is busy brainstorming for survival tips... lol, what a congregation of pathetic dunces. You want to be respected even while you resent others?

Meanwhile, for as long as you're quick to insult God, Christians, and religious beliefs, it is pointless searching for survival strategy... There's no peace for the wicked so get ready for INSULTS, particularly from ME. The headache is yet to start, trust me

As for the ma.d woman up here ^ ^, nobody take your comments seriously so stop the self inflicted convulsion. You are not better than the agbero freethinker who prefers to extort money from Danfo drivers on a Sunday morning. That you stay in your home with your tv on a Sunday morning doesn't make you any better; you're just fortunate enough to have western education like every other educated man or woman, religious or irreligious, who earn a few notes to stay off the streets.

^^^

The comment above me is an example of religious madness. See how he misses the obvious points and resorts to saying that "atheists hate god" and "agberos that collect tax on sundays are freethinkers"




This mindset is what keeps me a bit quiet at times in Nigeria. So ignorant but yet, so confident!

JackBizzle:
^^^
So ignorant but yet, so confident!

You mean arrogant ignorance...

Acidoasis has always been that type of Christian.

JackBizzle:




You of all people saying this?

You of all people quoting me?

Acidosis:
as

Nobody cares really, I meet a lot of freethinkers daily; 6 of 10 people you meet in Lagos today don't worship any God. Most don't even go to Church or Mosque; so what's the issue about?
.

There are lies, statistics and the Nigerian Christian.

UyiIredia:


What do you mean by it doesn't end pretty. Is your life threatened or something?

Not really. Christians would rather pray that something tragic happen to you so that you can start believing in Yahweh. They wouldn't harm you physically. The debates usually end in ad hominems and ad baculums, annoys the crap outta me.

Attack my points, not my personality. Be intellectually honest, and most of all, avoid any form of fallacy. Most can't do these.

Wow... Beautiful thread.
Anyways, like many other humanities, am a church guy. I play keyboard and guitar for my church at home and my fellowship in school. I have been the president of my church based student fellowship, assistant music director of the church and a bible quiz champion right from my childhood....
So cutting those ties will have to be gradual. But I understand I can't continue like this forever. When a Pastor says something so inherently wicked and brandishes it as a proof of God's benevolence and u have to nod in agreement... The inner irritation is unhealthy...
So it's going to happen one day but one step at a time.

Acidosis:
as usual, you cannot take away madness from "these" freethinkers..

One thing they are good at is the tendency to play the victim card. See them brainstorming for survival strategy even while their perceived relevance anchors on a deep hatred towards God.

You want to stay immune from "insults", yet your beliefs anchor on a sheer hatred towards God? My brother, this na madness oo.

Nobody cares really, I meet a lot of freethinkers daily; 6 of 10 people you meet in Lagos today don't worship any God. Most don't even go to Church or Mosque; so what's the issue about?

There are lots of morally upright folks out there who do not belong to any denomination, so you folks should stop hiding and playing the victim card! The same freethinker that renamed holy ghost as holy goat is busy brainstorming for survival tips... lol, what a congregation of pathetic dunces. You want to be respected even while you resent others?

Meanwhile, for as long as you're quick to insult God, Christians, and religious beliefs, it is pointless searching for survival strategy... There's no peace for the wicked so get ready for INSULTS, particularly from ME. The headache is yet to start, trust me

As for the ma.d woman up here ^ ^, nobody take your comments seriously so stop the self inflicted convulsion. You are not better than the agbero freethinker who prefers to extort money from Danfo drivers on a Sunday morning. That you stay in your home with your tv on a Sunday morning doesn't make you any better; you're just fortunate enough to have western education like every other educated man or woman, religious or irreligious, who earn a few notes to stay off the streets.

You think that 60% of lagosians are freethinkers?
Seriously, 60%
do you xtians live in an alternate universe?
For the fact that some people dont carry loudspeakers around and share church fliers, that makes them freethinkers?