4th place (tie) — 2024 BIPOC essay contest: Akil Malik 

FFRF awarded Akil $2,000.

By Akil Malik 

More than 85 percent of the world’s population (including 75 percent of Americans) identifies with some kind of religion. Since most religions promote beliefs based on love and peace, these statistics suggest that the world should be a much more loving and peaceful place. Instead, I think that religion is actually one of the most divisive forces in the world, encouraging hate, racism and chaos. Religion has caused wars and been the primary factor behind some of the most terrible incidents throughout history, including chattel slavery, Jim Crow, the Holocaust, LGBQT-plus discrimination, misogyny, political arguments and so many other conflicts.

For as long as I can remember, my parents have always said that religion was one of the primary reasons that the transatlantic slave trade was so successful, especially in America. Christianity became one of the most powerful ways to manage the difficult problem of the American Negro. Plantation owners weaponized the bible and religious rites like marriage to control the enslaved Africans. They used select scriptures to teach that the divine plan is for African Americans to suffer here on Earth in order to reap rewards in heaven. In other words, it would displease the heavenly father if they rebelled against their bondage and did not do their “duty” happily. Sadly, that message has thrived in African American culture and churches still teach that we are supposed to suffer bravely to prove piety and faith. I believe this is what continues to hinder advances toward ending racism and supporting civil rights.

Today, religion continues to influence political races and manipulate laws that support racism, bigotry and misogyny. The former laws against same-sex marriage and the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade are prime examples of how people use religion to impose divisive laws based on faith, despite the separation of church and state. In the last presidential election, evangelicals pushed to elect the president who would appoint judges who would support overturning Roe v. Wade.  Politicians are using religious language to encourage banning books and rewriting history lessons, which is causing more division in the country as religious people try to impose their personal religious beliefs on everyone.

There are many more examples of how religion has historically and currently been a hindrance to ending racism and enabling civil rights for all. It has been used as a chain to bind America to the worst racist and intolerant social behavior since its beginning. Basically, it divides us and creates intolerance of people who do not have the same beliefs. It also has dangerous messages, almost like brainwashing, which prevents some people from seeing the world as it really is — ignoring science and believing in faith over evidence. Ultimately, it is not possible to achieve racial equality or civil rights when religion is such a divisive factor.

Akil, 18, is from Clarkston, Ga., and will be attending Alabama A&M University in Normal, Ala., with plans to major in computer science with a concentration in software engineering. He writes: “I am a motivated and ambitious student-athlete with a passion for football. I am the youngest of three, with two older sisters. My goal is to eventually work in the gaming industry, helping to create innovative and exciting games and technology of the future. Throughout my high school career, I have played football and been a member of the 100 Black Men of Dekalb’s Leadership Academy, where I participated in community service projects and learned to develop and exercise leadership skills that I plan to use in college.”