(June 20, 2013 at 7:14 pm)Simsim Wrote: Welcome, deceptive illusion ! You deserve much respect for that being atheist in a religious community is an evidence of a high degree of mind freedom.![]()
Don't be bothered by pretending that you are Muslim. Consider it a social attitude not a religious attitude. At all events, all people hide some opinions and creeds no matter they live in secular or religious societies and no matter the leaved their religions or didn't. I know it is so frustrating to be an atheist in a religious family but convince yourself that it is a temporary state which will change in future. Plan firstly to be independent of your family and try to live in another city or district. This will give you a reasonable degree of freedom then, if you can, leave this country totally.
At last, Don't treat your atheism as a religion i.e don't be a very enthusiastic atheist and don't let it be your main trait. Being such kind of an atheist in a religious family is too miserable. Consider the religion around you just a social phenomenon (Too fuckin social phenomenon really, I know. But try however not to be very hostile)
I don't think anyone unless they live as a minority under extreme oppression can decide to be open or silent. But to say we in the west which have much more safety to a degree should not be vocal about oppression over there, not just of atheists, but of women and any "apostates".
Ayaan Hersi Ali escaped the same thing and became vocal once in the west. It certainly is not for everyone but to say those who do have a voice should not be "enthusiastic"is absurd. We can do for those stuck there what they cannot do for themselves, we have the power to speak for them.
The best advice I can give is stay low, be careful, and plan a way out. Then when you do get to a more free society, you'll have more opportunity to be vocal.