Historian Christopher Cameron on the hidden history of Black freethinkers and African American secularism, plus Audrey Simmons of the Association of Black Humanists and an update on the UK conversion therapy ban.

Show Notes
Guest Profile

Audrey Simmons, co-lead of the Association of Black Humanists joins James & AJ this week to discuss her personal journey and the unique challenges for the Black community in the UK when it comes to embracing humanism.

AJ provides an update on the proposed ban of conversion therapy in the UK. Despite the government's commitment to a ban, delays, and recent news of the draft bill's cancellation have sparked a wave of demonstrations. Together, we stand in allyship with the campaign to ban conversion therapy and discuss how you, our listeners, can join the movement.

Plus, Prof. Christopher Cameron, author of Black Freethinkers, A History of African American Secularism joins the podcast to discuss his personal journey and the figures who inspired his seminal book, as well as the future of freethought in America.

Here more from Chris Cameron, live in Conversation with S.I. Martin on 22 September 2023 in Central London.

Finally, our mailbag question this week: Just what does it mean to be spiritual but not religious?

Refences:
Association of Black Humanists
Humanists International - Amsterdam Declaration 2022
Humanists UK - Banning Conversion Therapy Campaign

Book recommendations from Prof. Cameron;

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Christopher Cameron

Professor of History, UNC Charlotte | Author, Black Freethinkers

Christopher Cameron is a professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is the founder of the African American Intellectual History Society and currently serves as the founding Secretary of the Black Humanist Studies Association (BHSA). He the author of To Plead Our Own Cause: African Americans in Massachusetts and the Making of the Antislavery Movement and Black Freethinkers: A History of African American Secularism. He is also a coeditor of New Perspectives on the Black Intellectual Tradition and Race, Religion, and Black Lives Matter: Essays on a Moment and a Movement. His forthcoming books include Humanism in the United States: A Brief History (Pitchstone Publishing, 2027) and Black Humanist Studies: History, Theory, Method, and Application (University of Massachusetts Press, 2027). Cameron is vice-president of Black Nonbelievers Inc. and also serves on the board of the Thomas Paine Memorial Association.

2. Prof. Christopher Cameron on Black Freethinkers plus Ending Conversion Therapy