Hello everyone
I'm new in this website so I don't really know how it works but I suppose that I could share my feelings here. I had a really hard time the last two months doubting Islam, and every religion for that matter. I have tried to watch and read everything that could help me find the truth.
After that tough time of confusion and sleeplessness I've finally found out that I am already an atheist, I have always been since the moment I started questioning Islam and all that is wrong with it or with any other religion. However, what concerns me the most is that I am an atheist Saudi who lives in Saudi Arabia surrounded by a very religious family. It is really hard, almost impossible to feel comfortable in Saudi Arabia even if you are a Muslim, let alone being an Atheist. I have not told any member of my family or any of my friends ( even my best ones ) about it, why?! ... well ,how about a chance of experiencing beheading or serving some time in jail ( at least ) if the religious police knows about me ?
Life is getting extremely hard and confusing, having to act and talk like Muslim in order to survive. And oh, I haven't mentioned that I am a college student and Migration is not an option for me at this time. If you have any advice, tip or an opinion, please I'd be glad to read it.
Thank you
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Awful situation for you saudi M.
I'm on atheistnexus.org which is a social site to join groups & talk about anything. We have some X- muslims who may be able to help you cope.
Thank you, I hope this will help
Maybe you could look into political asylum in an other country.
You could finish your education in a place where you could actually study without the fear and bias.
Bob--You did it again giving advise that everyone "knows"--
You'll probably just have to stick it out until you can migrate. Until then it would be great if you kept connecting with fellow non-believers online. This will keep you from going completely crazy in a place where your true beliefs will not be accepted. Here, however, they will be, and you can be electronically surrounded by people who will enjoy sharing their beliefs and struggles and listening to yours. This isn't quite as fulfilling as being in an accepting community, but it WILL help you out through these tough times until you can make changes. Hang in there saudi M, it will be tough, but you've come this far and you can make it.
If you can get to the U.S., perhaps on a visitor's or student visa, you can apply for asylum or refugee status. You have to be in the U.S. to petition for it. Application for it is not available through U.S. Embassies.
In the mean time, do what you have to do to keep yourself alive.
Thank you all for sharing and commenting. I'm doing really good in my university ( KFUPM ) which is one of the best in the middle east, so I'm going to get my diploma before leaving the country. I can manage to hide my beliefs for two more years, I just can't stand people talking to me about religious subjects; especially when they are talking about Atheist, it gets really weird ><.
Anyway, my future is definitely not here, living one more day on this land after graduation is on the top of my "not to do list".
Atheism*
I'm a fellow atheist from Lebanon. Also an ex-Muslim.
Although I'm a closeted atheist towards my family, I'm definitely open about it towards everyone else.
Its horrible that you have to do that it points out a serious problem with islam but you know that.
You should keep pretending read everything you can find that could help you keep up the image, books on acting lessons if you can find any may be of use.
And like others have said were here when you need to talk just be sure to clean your browser history when your done, you never know.
Hi there
I'm here too buddy
finally I've find some one
If you can drop me your contact information to find some solution for us
I know this might sound strange and it's hard to trust but I've been trying to find anyone with the same thoughts and finally I got something even that you are not the first atheist Saudi I have met
and I love to remind you were not alone buddy :)
I think writing saudi and then your university name and use it as a username here is not a good idea
btw welcome
and do you study over there or work??
An atheist Saudi--Don't listen to all the free cowardly advise of all the weak minded so called atheists gave you. Don't be a coward.. Take off all your clothes and be totally absolutely naked. Find a cowboy hat to protect you naked hair. If you are ashamed of your nakedness wear a bandana around your neck. Wearing sneakers to protect your feet start running. Run through your neighborhood naked with a giant sign saying "I am an atheist and proud and what are you going to do about it. Continue to the University displaying your atheist sign and your naked self screaming I am an atheist and proud . Louder --start screaming "I am a naked atheist and Proud. Keep going-don't stop even though your tired running naked and all. I know your tired running naked except for the cowboy hat and bandana keep going waving to all the Islam assholes all over the place. Don't mind them laughing at you and at the same time afraid you will get beheaded. When you get to the King of Saudi Arabia-still naked of course-Scream "I am an atheist and what are you going to do about it. So the King tells his Moslem mother fuckers to cut off you head. Before your head is cut off they ask you if you have any request. Be Brave and scream I am a naked atheist and give my cowboy hat to Malala Yousafzai (the girl shot by the Taleban),who I am not sure she is an atheist but she is one hell of a beautiful human being. Please bury me naked with my sneakers an bandana.
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Public information announcement:
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"fred,k" is actually the infamous troll of the Atheist Republic forum.
EDIT: The name is now "blasphemy".
Generally referred to as "Kenny", has been banned many times under different names.
Previously known aliases include: "Kenny Schweiger", "Kenny", "myself", "alleycat", "richardd", "Christopher", "marken", "punkin", "amber", "Simon".
Claims to be an atheist. But he has a fondness for using "sarcasm", even though no one ever gets his sarcasm and he has been told this many times, he keeps posting such deceiving comments.
He seems obsessed with religions, creationists and the stupidity of Fox News, Bill O'Reilly, Joel Osteen, Ted Cruz, Sean Hannity, Donald Trump, Vanna White, Sarah Palin, etc.
This announcement will be posted whenever he spams, agitates, confuses or flies of the handle.
Also, he finds these announcements 'boring'.
Pragmatic-I know I said I wouldn't make fun of your half face but you won't leave me alone. I am getting tired of your boring self. Since you won't leave me alone.... Your half a face is quite silly and scary too..
Welcome brother!
We both are in same almost situation. Actually I am from Pakistan and I am more likely to be killed in honour rather than beheading like you in Saudi Arabia.
My family is also very religious and I haven't told them or any one else around me about this thing. I am not really forced to practice Islam here but I can imagine how hard it can be in Saudi Arabia for anyone w.r.t religion. I have plans for migration too. May be soon.
About the sarcasm I think I got used to it here so say as much as you want "blasphemy"
And my friend Faisal I agree with you
Best solution is the migration