feeling normal

[driver82]

Do you have any ideas driver for how progress can be made towards atheism being somewhat accepted in countries such as yours?

Before sharing any ideas for making progress towards atheism being somewhat accepted, i want to refer to the asia bibi case. She was a christian who was charged on the grounds of blasphemy. This is important because both 
 and apostasy face capital punishment here. In most cases mob brutally kills the accused. No judge can acquit the person because of fear for his life. Moreover, if you say anything to question Islam's potency its blasphemy. Therefore let me share the incidents revolving asma bibi case.
She was facing blasphemy charges. A governor of a province tacitly supported her. He was murdered by a cop on his security detail. That cop is now facing murder charges but is a national hero. Nobody was coming forward to lead the deceased governor's funeral. Later his son was also kidnapped. Similarly a minister was also killed for voicing his concern. This is what happens to the governors and ministers. Even though the concerned woman just gave a passing remark on Islam while defending accusations on her religion. So what will happen to an ordinary person who publicly raises any indirect question regarding Islam.
Now you know how grave the situation is. Therefore, chances of progress are very little. There is only one relatively safe way and thats online discussions. Though we know what happened to Badawi in Saudi Arabia and atheist bloggers in Bangladesh, yet people can do so by laying low and interacting in closed groups. It will only enlighten like minded people but not give them freedom or security. But still it is a tiny step at least. When atheist will become a sizeable community, may be they can be a little more secure but in Islamic societies it doesn't seem easily workable. Whole society is violent on these issues. They create havoc on related issues even happening elsewhere. May be one day Muslims are taught a lesson by west through the means that they understand how to live in this globalized age. Some nations learnt those lessons after second world war. This is an issue of change of course of history. For time being sharing of ideas among like minded people in a discreet manner is the course to adopt.

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I am an atheist from Pakistan. You cannot tell anyone there that you are an atheist. You cannot even criticize Islam. So I keep my mouth shut on religion. It makes me feel abnormal. But i do so to be safe in my country. So i am glad i joined this forum where i can share my views on religion and interact with like minded people. At last I am feeling normal.

Tell us about your yourself. How long have you been an Atheist? What made you disbelieve in the Koran?

I was never a practising or enthusiast Muslim. I grew up watching Hollywood movies. However, Danish cartoon controversy made me curious to dig Muhammad's life. I researched on questions raised by various caricatures. Their messages were so true to the core. Though I had doubt about prophets and miracles type of stuff, yet knowing true picture of his character made me believe he was the worst person I could know. Ironically people in Pakistan usually don't support child marriages, dacoity, inequality or massacres but when Muhammad does the same, they appreciate it. I got sick of this ideology which has made them hypocrites and zombies. I realized that this is the worst type of cult humanity had ever seen. Once I knew true face of Muhammad, rest was just a natural corollary.