Makin banyak aja orang Arab Muslim yg murtad :)
http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/06/15/interview-with-an-arab-atheist-does-islam-drive-its-youth-away/
Interview with an Arab atheist –
Does Islam drive its youth away?
by Esra'a
(Bahrain)
June 15th, 2007
While I was in the UAE earlier this week, I conducted an interview with one
of my friends who is an atheist.
So I’d like to share this interview with Adel Jalal, a 23 year old business
student in Abu Dhabi.
Q: Hi Adel. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
A: Yes. I’m Adel, a student from the UAE. I love everything about classical
Arabic music and I’m addicted to Arabic literature.
Q: Interesting introduction, but I must ask, why do you stress the
love of Arab culture so much?
A: I don’t hesitate to describe myself as atheist, but when you describe
yourself as such here tell me the first thing that comes to your mind? Probably
brainwashed, Satan worshiper, traitor.
Q: True, but that doesn’t really answer the question. Why do you
boast about your love of Arab culture, specifically? I noticed that when we
first discussed this, you said that you’re an atheist shortly before you tried
to convince me that you’re not anti-Arab. Explain to me why you feel the need to
do that?
A: Because non-Muslim Arabs are left out. We feel like we have no real space in
society, especially in any intellectual field. When I say I’m atheist, people
always tell me that I have become traitor. A sell-out. Someone who doesn’t know
what it truly means to be “Arab.” Why? Because Arab means Muslim and Muslim
means Arab? What does personal religious views have to do with my culture, my
past, my identity? An Arab, this is something I am. This is something I take
much pride in. Why do people attach my personal opinions to who I am, to my
nationality? Does being Arab mean being intellectually identical to every other
Arab out there?
Q: Hey, who’s the one asking the questions?! Kidding. I’m very
interested in what you’re saying, especially about the left out part, in fact I
previously interviewed an Arab Jew who stated just that. It’s a shame really
when people aren’t accepting of differences, be it political or religious. So
tell me, were you born a Muslim?
A: Yes and raised a Muslim. To be honest this is what drove me against
religions.
Q: What do you mean?
A: I mean that religion is everything to a person. Especially when you strictly
practice it, it quickly consumes everything you have. If you don’t honestly
believe in any religion then you shouldn’t identify yourself as a believer of
any religion.
Q: So your choice of being a Muslim has much to do with
socialization rather than Islam itself?
A: Precisely. I have a problem with any existing religion that people are
forced into. In any normal society there should be a choice, and whatever that
choice is, it needs to be respected.
Q: What about Islam? When people learn that you are an ex-Muslim, do
they ever imply that you’re anti-Muslim too?
A: Yes even though the connection for me isn’t really there. For a lot of
ex-Muslims you will see that they have a major problem with Islam itself most
likely due to the societies they live in. My reasons aren’t Islam, in fact I
have a bigger problem with Christianity than Islam, and I have no problem with
being in a Muslim culture and living around Muslims or being a part of a Muslim
family. But I have a problem when someone is offended with my decision of not
being a Muslim, and in the Arab world this is a huge problem as I’m sure you
know.
Q: Yes, my problem is with Islam being enforced upon people who
don’t really accept it but don’t have the balls to say “I don’t want this
religion and I don’t respect it.”
A: Exactly and this is what our youth faces today, fear. If they say it they
are damned to Hell by not only their families and friends but by society as a
whole.
Q: Look at the case of Kareem
Amer for example.
A: Yes it’s indeed a very discouraging example of the risks we face if we
publicly state anything our society disagrees with.
Q: And that’s exactly why a group of us Muslims are fighting for
Kareem despite what he said about Islam … and his main supporters represent
Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Mauritania, and Morocco, so it’s Muslims from all over
the Arab world fighting for Kareem. It doesn’t mean we agree with him, it just
means that we need to allow these ideas to be stated without people facing
harsh consequences, especially a prison sentence!
A: I agree but it’s going to take years for anyone to be really convinced of
that. Remember that most Muslims think it’s their duty to silence or kill these
types of people; “Kafirs.”
Q: Most Muslims? Come on.
A: Okay, a lot of them.
Q: This is a new generation going through all kinds of experiences…
this is the best time ever to start fighting for not only our rights but the
rights of others within our communities. Minorities in Arab countries go
through a lot and it’s unacceptable. We should be the ones condemning this
injustice.
A: Arab Baha’is, now this is a minority that I truly feel for. You know the
Baha’i faith is considered a “bullshit religion” here. Most people don’t know
what it really is, so throughout the region they lack the most basic rights
because people consider them infidels. I think their case in certain countries
are worse than that of Jews or Christians.
Q: What do you think about that?
A: I think anyone who attacks others for being different aren’t confident
enough to deal with intellectual and religious challenges.
Q: What’s the difference being “careless” and “atheist?” I meet so
many people who call themselves atheist when they really mean that they don’t
subscribe to any other religion.
A: Yes, for the past two years I used to describe myself as agnostic until I
realized that I strongly disbelieve in the existence of any God as there is no
real evidence, which is what led me to become an atheist. Religions are all
mythical. This is the argument that usually offends others… but I don’t have
anything against their views! I’m just saying what I believe and people here go
crazy about it.
Q: Yes the problem with us Muslims is that many of us are very
emotionally attached… so weird. I’m over-defensive but not obsessively so. My
arguments are also entirely emotional and not factual which is really retarded.
A: As long as you respect different people I have no problem with anything you
choose to believe in. This level of respect and tolerance isn’t found with ease
in our societies.
Q: A lot of Muslims all over the Muslim world would literally kill
anyone who disagrees and then they expect progress. In my opinion this isn’t
really Islam. By the way, what do you think about Koranic (real) Islam and
political Islam?
A: No offense but the fact that there are so many types of Islam only proves
that it’s not a real religion but rather one created simply for the sake of
social control.
Q: It’s actually very hard to disagree with that when you consider
countries like Iran, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, et al, where
socio-political instability is being justified as “this is what Islam wants.”
A: It’s a very sad case.
Q: Seriously I don’t get that. There are so many things here being
constantly dismissed when religious leaders convince people that this is the
Islam that they were born and raised to follow. If they dislike anything about
you, what you’re wearing, or what your opinions are, they immediately blame you
for being an infidel. And don’t even get me started on justifications of rape.
A: I know, it’s like I can see your hair and I’m very tempted to rape you.
Islam gives me that right, it told you to wear a hijab and you didn’t! Now I
can rape you and Allah will understand. Heh.
Q: Actually, this is an existing mentality. You find this argument
all over. Is it really our fault when men claim they can’t control their raging
desires to have sex with any woman who shows her face or hell, even HANDS?
A: My girlfriend is Japanese and she tells me that this same idea exists in
their culture too, which is also very male dominant. Of course this is with
Geishas, not with hijab. As you know Geishas paint their faces white, and if a
man sees a trace of her real skin color, this is considered very tempting! I
was surprised when she told me. Whenever we discuss these things it’s really
amazing how many similarities we have.
Q: Which goes to show how culture and society aren’t entirely
representative of religion.
A: The problem with us is that censorship created a different culture. Even if
the government gives you rights to practice any religion freely you will still
find trouble fitting in especially if you’re an insider. Like I said with me
being an Arab, I feel like I lost 99% of my identity because I’m not Muslim. I
know the situation is different in Lebanon and Jordan where non-Muslim Arabs
are accepted but with me in the Gulf it’s really different.
Q: Yes Bahrain is the same way. There are many atheists and
agnostics here, in Saudi Arabia, in Kuwait, and the Iranians I meet are almost
never attached to religion. Many do describe themselves as atheists too as they
are strongly against all forms of religion especially if it’s enforced upon
them. This is what drives people away from Islam – nobody likes to be forced
to believe anything.
A: You will be surprised as to how many people are like me here and feel the
way I do but don’t feel comfortable enough sharing these ideas.
Q: And you share them quite comfortably, you even quickly agreed to
do this interview, why?
A: To show everyone that Arabs aren’t really what most people say we are
especially with regards to our youth. Atheism, converts, apostasy, these are
all considered big taboos that’s why we don’t talk about it. People fail to
understand us and who we really are when we fail to discuss these things
publicly and securely. Everyone thinks we’re so oppressed and that we easily
fall for religion or that we are comfortable with our societal and cultural
restrictions, but we are so diverse here. Arabs should never be defined as
Muslims. We’re all different and fellow Arabs need to learn how to respect this
difference instead of trying to make everyone else think the way they do.
Q: Do you find Islam to be a problem that leads to our societal
restrictions?
A: Well, a lot of religious Muslims are decent and understand the importance of
living in a free and tolerant society. I know that Islam is not our problem.
Politics is our weakness and Islam is just an excuse that many of our
governments successfully get away with.
Q: Finally, do you consider yourself typical, as in an average young
Arab with these types of views?
A: I’m average in every other way except maybe mentally. Well, kind of. A lot
of young Arabs like me don’t follow the path of Islam. We only think it’s not
average because people don’t talk about it, but it’s so average.
Q: By “don’t follow the path of Islam” you mean they drink alcohol,
eat pork, have premarital sex, and do the opposite of what the Koran asks for
right?
A: Haha yes.
Q: Hey I’m Bahraini, trust me I know what you mean.
A: It’s ironic isn’t it?
Q: I would say hypocritical, but only if these people still claim to
be Muslims… which many do. But if you do all that without subscribing to this
religion then why not? Go ahead. And agreeing with you, this lifestyle
shouldn’t make anyone less of an Arab. It shouldn’t have anything to do with
being an Arab.
A: I actually refuse to drink, have sex before marriage, or eat pork, even if I
am not a Muslim anymore. I think it is part of me growing up. But these are
decisions that I personally made and am very comfortable with.
Q: Okay Adel, it’s been great talking to you as usual. Thanks for
this interview.
A: You’re welcome.
****
Jesus, Buddha, Gurus Sikh, Baha’i, & Karl Marx can be compared because of they
teach love & justice.
It is different wih Muhammad.
I read Koran, Hadith, and Sira and found that Muhammad is a ROBBER, MURDERER,
TERRORIST, PEDOPHILE, NECROPHILE, CHILD MOLESTER, DAUGHTER-IN-LAW MOLESTER,
AUNT MOLESTER.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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