Ask Shingai 1 – Zimbabwean Non-Theism
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): Canadian Atheist
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2019/08/10
Interview with Shingai Rukwata Ndoro is the Interim Chairperson of the Humanist Society of Zimbabwe. We will explore the nature of theism and non-theism, and so on, in the context of Zimbabwe for this educational series. Here we talk about Zimbabwe and non-theism.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: What are the brands of non-theism encountered by you?
Shingai Rukwata Ndoro:
1. Gnostic non-theism.
2. Agnostic non-theism.
Jacobsen: What are the demographics of religion and non-religion there?
Ndoro: There are no credible statistics available except those by the Christians to project a majoritarian representation of themselves.
From an ordinary assessment, Christians are their majority.
Jacobsen: How tied to progressive politics are atheistic views?
Ndoro: We have tended to avoid politics among the community of non-theists because it has been one of the major divisive matters.
This is because we are split right in the middle between right and left ideas and between pro-government and anti-government sentiments.
Take note:
1. *Right*: more individual freedoms (steeped in European liberalism), pro-business and limited government involvement.
2. *Left*: less individual freedoms for collective rights (steeped in European conservatism), anti-business and expansive government involvement.
Jacobsen: How tied to conservative views are traditional religions and traditional Zimbabwean belief structures?
Ndoro: Very strongly tied. Conservative views are actually the default positions of most of those who are religious.
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Mr. Ndoro.
Ndoro: As an addition, there are many non-theists whom we know within our community who are closet due to social exclusion and economic vulnerability.
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