Joining FFRF from Nigeria to talk about how humanism is often persecuted in parts of Africa is Leo Igwe, the founder of the Humanist Association of Nigeria who himself has been jailed for his work on “witchcraft.” Igwe has multiple degrees in philosophy and a doctorate in religious studies from the University of Bayreuth in Germany. His research focuses on witchcraft, religion and atheism in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Zambia, and he strives to foster critical thinking in schools. He’s recently been busy campaigning for the release of Mubarak Bala, a Nigerian freethinker who is in detention for alleged blasphemy.

“Many pastors thrive on imputing witchcraft or making witchcraft allegations,” Igwe explains to “Freethought Matters” co-hosts Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor why he got into trouble. “So if you try to challenge this, you are actually challenging what the church has used to establish its credibility among all gullible, desperate members of the population. Of course, they’ll go after you.”

Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.

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