Muslims embracing atheism often face a lonely journey

[cbayer]

http://www.religionnews.com/2013/03/03/sidebar-muslims-embracing-atheism-often-face-a-lonely-journey/

Kimberly Winston | Mar 3, 2013

NEW YORK (RNS) There was a time in his life when Ibrahim Abdallah thought he was the only Muslim-turned-atheist in the world. Then, at a party, he met a fellow Egyptian and former Muslim, and while the other guests danced, they sat and talked.

And talked and talked.

“I was so happy, and so shocked,” Abdallah, 33, said. “We both felt, ‘I am not the only one.’ It was huge.”

Now, several years later, Abdallah is on a mission to create the kind of safe space for questioning Islam and all matters of faith that he wishes he could have had.

more at link

[Phillip McCleod]

1. a couragous bunch, ex-muslims..

i follow a couple blogs written by and for ex-muslims and am always struck a little awed by the little historic moments of communion with other atheists.. ex-christian, ex-jew, ex-hindu, ex-etc.. there is so much bad history between religious groups and so much current animosity.. witness bush's 'crusade', the jihad against 'great satan', and zionist conquest of 'the land'.. all that hatred and history falls away among atheists. all the old triggers are defused.

there is a fellowship of sorts but it's an idea more than a community. it's knowledge that no matter what religion we were born into, when you stop believing they no longer want you.. it's the island of misfit toys fellowship. default, outcast, the ex-muslim atheist is no more or less of a nonbeliever than the ex-christian.

it's like watching people step off of religious pedestals about themselves and their culture, and approach each other as individuals and human beings for the first time.

awesome.

[cbayer]

2. The island of misfit toys - I think that's a great metaphor.

Certainly it is easier to leave some religions than others, and I imagine leaving Islam is one of the hardest.

Really nice post.