Why Black Americans Maintain Spiritual Connections After Leaving Religion
When Black Americans transition away from organized religion, the process is typically not a complete disconnection. Individuals like Rogiérs Fibby, a self-proclaimed agnostic, atheist, and secular humanist with a background in the Moravian Church, exemplify this phenomenon. Despite his identification as culturally Christian, Mr. Fibby has a deep understanding of various theological doctrines and denominations due to his upbringing. Similarly, Felicia Murrell, who held leadership positions in multiple denominations for more than twenty years, now identifies as “interspiritual” while acknowledging that Christianity remains her foundational belief system.
Moreover, William Matthews, a former Bethel Music recording artist who took a hiatus from the church starting in 2016, currently serves as the music director at New Abbey, a progressive church in Los Angeles that embraces LGBTQ individuals. Mr. Matthews, now self-identifying as Christian, emphasizes the significance of spirituality for Black Americans, citing their historical resilience in the face of adversity.
Statistical data from a recent Pew study indicates that approximately 20% of Black Americans are religiously unaffiliated, with a substantial portion still believing in the God of the Bible or another higher power. These individuals exhibit high levels of spiritual engagement, including a belief in the existence of the soul or spirit, regular spiritual practices, and adherence to traditional religious concepts such as heaven and hell. Notably, Black nones demonstrate a more profound connection to spirituality compared to other unaffiliated groups.
Kiana Cox, a senior researcher at the Pew Research Center, asserts that despite their lack of formal religious affiliation, Black Americans often maintain personal spiritual beliefs and practices. She highlights the community’s historical ties to religious institutions, explaining that the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement and other pivotal events in African American history contribute to a persistent attachment to religious traditions.
Teddy Reeves, a religion curator at the National Museum of African American History & Culture, underscores the multifaceted role of religion in Black communities, serving as a source of community, safety, and meaning amid societal challenges. For individuals like Ms. Murrell, whose grandmother’s daily ritual of reading the Bible symbolized a deep-seated connection to spiritual heritage, faith remains an integral part of the Black American experience.