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→White atheist outreach is not competitive to the black church
So this black man was, basically, an atheist. And he was going to remain an atheist for the rest of his life. But where did this lead him? Apart, and alone — which is how many black atheists working to make things better for other black individuals may feel. If you’re a black atheist, you may often find yourself isolated if you’re around predominantly black friends. I’ve talked with black people who have noticed that, due to cultural and experiential differences, it can feel lonely (I’ve experienced this somewhat, as well). It’s not like you get extraordinary benefits from being a black atheist. More than a white atheist, you can feel like you’re on the outside, looking in. Very few of us are willing to accept this fate. But this man was, and would have continued to be accepting of this fate, if it hadn’t been for one thing — the black church was absolutely irresistible.<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/barrierbreaker/the-reason-there-arent-more-black-atheists/ Why Aren’t There More Black Atheists?] by Martin Hughes</ref>}}
So this black man was, basically, an atheist. And he was going to remain an atheist for the rest of his life. But where did this lead him? Apart, and alone — which is how many black atheists working to make things better for other black individuals may feel. If you’re a black atheist, you may often find yourself isolated if you’re around predominantly black friends. I’ve talked with black people who have noticed that, due to cultural and experiential differences, it can feel lonely (I’ve experienced this somewhat, as well). It’s not like you get extraordinary benefits from being a black atheist. More than a white atheist, you can feel like you’re on the outside, looking in. Very few of us are willing to accept this fate. But this man was, and would have continued to be accepting of this fate, if it hadn’t been for one thing — the black church was absolutely irresistible.<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/barrierbreaker/the-reason-there-arent-more-black-atheists/ Why Aren’t There More Black Atheists?] by Martin Hughes</ref>}}
In June 2014, Sikivu Hutchinson wrote in the ''Washington Post'' that atheist organizations generally focus on church/state separation and creationism issues and not the concerns the less affluent African-American population faces.<ref name="washingtonpost.com"/> Hutchinson also mentioned that church organizations do offer significant help to poor African-Americans.<ref name="washingtonpost.com"/>
Also, according to a video posted at [[Freethoughtblogs]] storefront churches provide assistance to local residents including women, and this partly explains the dearth of Hispanic and African-American women atheists in America (Atheists give less to charity than Christians. See: [[Atheism and charity|Atheism and uncharitableness]]).<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2013/08/06/sikivu-ophelia-and-rebecca-who-says-atheism-lacks-women-stars/ Sikivu, Ophelia, and Rebecca — who says atheism lacks women stars?]</ref>
== African-American atheists and loneliness ==
== African-American atheists and loneliness ==