ARTICLE FOR RECORDER GROUP OPINION PAGE JUNE 2013
INHERITED BELIEF
Is it coincidental that when people describe their religious belief it is usually one relating to the area
they originate from? The diverse population of East London is a good illustration. Jews and more
recently Catholics from Eastern Europe; Hindus from India; Muslims from Pakistan and Bangladesh.
In fact the reason is that religious beliefs are largely inherited. They generally result from the
accident of where individuals or their ancestors happen to have been born. And it is common for
people to describe themselves using the religion of their forefathers even where they no longer
practise it themselves.
The passing of a belief from one generation to the next can of course be a good thing, for example
where it teaches kindness to strangers. But persistent and deep rooted beliefs can also be
challenging.
One example is the horrific practice of female genital mutilation with an estimated
20,000 victims a year in the UK. Another is the belief in witchcraft and the exorcism of children
which led to the murder of Kristy Bamu in Newham in 2010.
Inherited belief can also be very challenging for individuals in a community who start to question it.
Fears range from upsetting members of the family and loss of friends to outright hostility and
ostracism.
It is important that people with doubts about their inherited beliefs are not left fearful and isolated.
This is one of the reasons we formed our group. For example our guest speaker in June is Alom
Shaha, a secondary school physics teacher brought up in a strict Muslim family in London. Alom has
written ‘The Young Atheists Handbook’ with a view to helping young people who are trying to come
to terms with these difficult issues. Members of the London Black Atheist group have also been
invited to speak later in the year.
Humanists don’t seek to ‘convert’ people or turn them away from their religion. However, we do
believe everyone should have the opportunity to question their inherited beliefs, to think for
themselves and to understand that it is possible to enjoy a happy, fulfilling and good life without
belief in God.
Paul Kaufman
Chair East London Humanists