In Islam, there's more than one way to be an 'atheist'

[cbayer]

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/05/islam-atheist-saudi-arabia-terrorists-faith-muslim-world

Saudi Arabia has declared atheists to be as bad as terrorists. But does this mean those without faith cannot live happily in the Muslim world?

Nesrine Malik
theguardian.com, Monday 5 May 2014 12.43 BST


‘To the Saudi government, not believing in God and fighting in his name represent the same threat.’ Photograph: Fahad Shadeed/Reuters/Corbis

Saudi Arabia recently declared atheism and Islamist terrorism equal crimes in the eyes of the law. To the Saudi government, not believing in God, and fighting in his name – although polar opposites – represent the same threat, a challenge to the religious consensus. What is it about atheism that it finds so challenging? And are different types of atheism possible in the Muslim world?

Despite the prominence of the image of a hunted apostate supported by western atheists and villified by Islamic institutions, there are atheists of Muslim heritage who would not necessarily identify with this stereotype. I would make the distinction between individual atheism as a matter of belief, and the position of publicly declaring oneself atheist – or, more potently, "ex-Muslim". The former is a personal position, the latter a political one that seeks to challenge authority.

In my experience, when it comes to atheism in the Muslim world, there is a conspiracy of sorts, akin to the "don't ask don't tell" principle on homosexuality in the US military –if a Muslim has lapsed, and no longer believes in God, there is no censure of that as long as one does not proselytise. Indeed, a 2012 poll by WIN-Gallup International found that up to 5% of Saudis polled identified as atheist, according to Sultan al-Qassemi, a number "comparable to the US and parts of Europe".

However, these atheists are almost anonymous in the public sphere, only "out", at most, to their families and friends. The stress of going through the motions of belief, in societies steeped in religion, cannot be overestimated. Practically speaking, being an atheist in certain parts of the Muslim world, or even in certain Muslim families in the west, involves a lot of dissimulation and tongue biting.

more at link

[Goblinmonger]

1. Awesome

So the "I'm an atheist but I don't like Dawkins" argument a la Huffpo/Salon won't save them in Islamic countries?

I think there are many Christians in this country that would like it if we returned to the days when atheists were burned at the stake.

[DetlefK]

2. Muslim atheism is no different than christian atheism.

There are Muslims who don't believe in God, but keep it to themselves. Holy newspaper, Batman! Tell those breaking news any politician in the US where openly admitting to atheism makes you unelectable.

There are Muslims who don't believe in God but like to keep the culture and community? Holy Easter-Bunny, Batman! It never occured to us atheists to take advantage of religious holidays and the opportunities to spend time with family and friends.

And ex-Muslims aren't alone: There are tons of ex-Christians who don't even care enough about Christianity to launch an atheist crusade against it. (Including me.)



The differences are not in the religions themselves, but in the culture. Medieval Europe wasn't that different from Saudi-Arabia or the US today: You can believe what you want in secrecy, just don't say anything that might challenge the authority of the priests and kings.

[cbayer]

3. Disagree. I think it is much more difficult to be a muslim atheist in

a muslim country than it is to be a christian atheist in this country.

The consequences tend to be a bit more severe than not being electable.

As for the majority of those who do not believe not having any desire to launch an atheist crusade, I very much agree.

[trotsky]

4. Uh, you're not actually disagreeing with him.

The atheism part is the same.

The cultural part is not. And WTF is an "atheist crusade"?

[pokerfan]

5. atheist crusade?

Holy strawman, Batman!

[cbayer]

6. The person I was responding to used the phrase. I was just repeating it.

[nil desperandum]

7. Saudis

Nice to know our allies in the middle east are such tolerant, open minded societies....this is like a breath of fresh air, now if they only passed some laws making it illegal for women to drive it would be heaven on earth...