I Am an Atheist; I Don’t Believe In Christian or Muslim God – Soyinka

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has revealed why he prefers traditional Orisa worship to Christianity and Islam, stating that Orisa worship resonates more deeply with him. He finds it more artistic, creative, and mysterious than the other religions.

“I was fortunate to be born in two worlds – the Christian world and traditional Orisa worshippers. My grandfather, until he – poor man – got converted, was an Orisa person and a chief, and his side fascinated me a lot more,” Soyinka said during an interview with CNN’s Larry Madowo.

He emphasized that Orisa worship is non-violent and ecumenical, contrasting it with Christianity and Islam, which he believes are less open. “Because of the generosity of this spirit (Orisa), it is not violent. It is one of those African religions which eschew violence.”

Soyinka added, “I don’t believe in the Islamic or Christian God, and if that makes me an atheist to the adherents of these religions, so be it. I insist all human beings have a certain spiritual core. I believe myself to be a more spirit-sensitive person.”

Soyinka also shared his discomfort with adaptations of his life and works: “Turning anything in my life into what other people can watch pains me. It makes me extremely uncomfortable. It’s wrong to say it’s terrific, let me just say I’m detached from it.”