On October 24, 2024, Humanesia collaborated with Atheist in Kenya Society to held an online discussion via Zoom with the topic ‘Humanism in the Global South: Experiences from Kenya and Indonesia’. This event was a valuable opportunity to share experiences and challenges faced by humanist communities in both countries, as well as to strengthen the global humanist network. Here is the report.
Event Opening
The event was opened by Audrey as the moderator. It was then followed by a warm welcome from Difa, one of the founders of Humanesia, who emphasized the importance of intercultural dialogue in understanding the challenges faced by humanist communities. In her speech, she explained that Humanesia is a new organization committed to promoting humanist values in Indonesia. The main speakers at this event were Harrison Mumia, President of the Atheist in Kenya Society, and Adam Pantouw from Humanesia. Both shared their experiences in facing challenges as non-religious communities in their respective countries.
Challenges of Humanism in Indonesia
Adam Pantouw explained the situation of humanism in Indonesia. Humanism, according to the minimum statement from Humanists International, is:
“Humanism is a democratic and ethical life stance, which affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives. It stands for the building of a more humane society through an ethic based on human and other natural values in the spirit of reason and free inquiry through human capabilities. It is not theistic, and it does not accept supernatural views of reality.”
In Indonesia, although the constitution guarantees freedom of religion, there are many challenges for individuals who identify as non-religious. Several key points conveyed include:
- Secular Humanists in Indonesia: The majority of Indonesians are recorded as followers of a religion. It is very difficult to determine the number of non-religious people because non-religious values are often considered taboo. Many of them join online groups whose memberships overlap.
- Blasphemy Laws: The blasphemy law is still in effect and is used to prosecute individuals who are deemed to have insulted religion, creating an atmosphere of fear for those who dare to express non-religious views.
- Social Stigma: There is a perception that being non-religious or atheist is synonymous with cruelty, especially due to the dark history of 1965 when many people were accused of being communists and associated with atheism.
- Humanism in Pancasila: Although non-religious values like humanism and secularism are considered taboo, the principles of humanism actually align with the second principle in Pancasila, which is “Just and civilized humanity.”
The Experience of the Atheist in Kenya Society
Harrison Mumia (Atheist in Kenya Society) shared about the struggles of the Atheist in Kenya Society in promoting humanism in Kenya.
He discussed several key points:
- Benefits of Organization: The Atheist in Kenya Society has been officially registered as a legal entity in Kenya since 2016, which provides them with recognition from the government and society. Members who join the organization pay a small fee, which can then be used to support the activities and programs of the organization. Some benefits for members include legal assistance, financial support if needed, and access to events organized by the society.
- Community Growth: Mumia stated that atheists and other non-religious groups in Kenya, who might have previously been hidden or unseen, are now beginning to come to the forefront. Each year, there are about 700-2000 new members who register with the Atheist in Kenya Society.
- Interaction Platforms: The Atheist in Kenya Society holds monthly meetings called “The Godless Corner,” where members can gather, share opinions, and plan joint activities. Additionally, Mumia highlighted the use of social media and WhatsApp groups as tools for interaction and sharing experiences among members. This creates a safe space for individuals to express their views and engage in discussions.
- Community Dynamics: Despite challenges, Mumia noted that the rejection of the atheist organization is not outright. He believes that Kenya is a relatively liberal country, where although there is criticism from religious groups, they do not have the power to obstruct this community because it is protected by the constitution.
Humanism in Kenya
Both Kenya and Indonesia acknowledge the existence of God in their respective constitutions. However, Kenya seems to provide more constitutional protection for non-believers. In the discussion, Adam Pantouw expressed envy towards the progress in recognition and protection for the atheist community in Kenya. Adam asked Mumia if Kenya has achieved a better condition in this regard. Mumia explained that Kenya has gone through a long struggle to gain these rights, starting from independence in 1963 up until being ruled by a dictator for 24 years. In 2010, Kenya finally got a new, more progressive constitution. Despite the progress, Mumia does not deny that discrimination against marginalized groups, like the LGBTQ+, still continues.
Mumia stated:
"We are not coming from a place of good to better. We are coming from a place of really bad to a sense of normal."
He highlighted that Kenya is not a perfect place, but they are beginning to enjoy better rights after a long struggle.
Blasphemy Law in Kenya
Mumia explained that Kenya has a blasphemy law included in its penal code, but he mentioned that this law is considered unconstitutional. Mumia noted that despite the existence of this law, some people often criticize or “insult” religious figures on social media without facing any legal consequences.
He stated:
“We have a blasphemy law, but I’ve never seen it being implemented after the 2010 Constitution came into power.”
This shows that even though there is a written law, in reality, the non-religious community can operate relatively freely in Kenya because the constitution is upheld.
Definition of Humanism and the Existence of Organizations
Answering a participant’s question, Adam explained that there is no formal way to become a humanist. Someone can identify as a humanist if they agree with the principles of humanism. He added that currently, Humanesia is the only secular humanist organization from Indonesia affiliated with Humanists International. Humanesia is open to individuals who hold humanist values and wish to join a group.
Mumia also explained that the Atheist in Kenya Society chose to use the name “atheist” to highlight their presence in a religious country. This strategy garnered positive media attention and helped raise awareness about non-religious issues.
Challenges within the Atheist Community
Mumia noted that not all atheists support humanist principles, and there are some differences of opinion among them. He emphasized the importance of rationality in discussions to reach a better position based on humanist values.
"Not all atheists support humanist values... some of them can be very disappointing."
This reflects the challenges faced by the humanist community in advocating for their values.
Conclusion
The discussion between Humanesia and the Atheists in Kenya Society has highlighted the unique challenges faced by humanist communities in Indonesia and Kenya, and showcased the creative efforts made to promote humanist values amidst social and cultural pressures. Through sharing these experiences, we hope to open doors for more concrete collaboration for humanism in the Global South.
This event reaffirms that, despite Indonesia and Kenya having different socio-cultural contexts, we are all bound by the common goal of creating a more just and humane world. We look forward to continuing this dialogue and fostering further cooperation in the future.