Atheism explodes in Saudi Arabia

Nick the Pilot

Nick the Pilot

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Atheism explodes in Saudi Arabia, despite state-enforced ban - Salon.com

"JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — In this country known as the cradle of Islam, where religion gives legitimacy to the government and state-appointed clerics set rules for social behavior, a growing number of Saudis are privately declaring themselves atheists.

"The evidence is anecdotal, but persistent.

“I know at least six atheists who confirmed that to me,” said Fahad AlFahad, 31, a marketing consultant and human rights activist. “Six or seven years ago, I wouldn’t even have heard one person say that. Not even a best friend would confess that to me.”

"A Saudi journalist in Riyadh has observed the same trend.

“The idea of being irreligious and even atheist is spreading because of the contradiction between what Islamists say and what they do,” he said."

(cont.)
 
So atheism isn't on the rise maybe, but a willingness to voice thoughts is...

that Arab spring is still springing....

What makes me wonder about us today is how we really believe that revolutions can happen in a period of months...recovery from that turmoil takes years...

Old guard wanting to stay alive, new guard not knowing what they want, or how to attain it.
 
“The idea of being irreligious and even atheist is spreading because of the contradiction between what Islamists say and what they do,” he said."
Click to expand...
It's a shame people make decisions based on what others say, rather than thinking it through for themselves.
 
Nick religion and politics and governments have coincided since there have been religions politics and governments...

In Communist countries it was illegal to be anything but an atheist, the US was populated by folks were running from religious intolerance, and then formed it here.

But leaving religions because of the hypocrisy of those that are teaching and preaching at you....not uncommon.
 
I've always suspected that the more the government enforces religion, the more sceptical people become of it.
 
Lincoln,

Even worse is how, in most countries in the world, enforced religion is the norm. Countries that guarantee freedom of religion are very few indeed.
 
Six people reportedly became Atheists and LO! "Atheism EXPLODES in Saudi Arabia'?????? Very funny.
 
Well the Pew Poll indicates about 5% that is a few more than 6.... and the gov't must be concerned as they calling it terrorism and would like to stop the tide... religious freedom, while it isn't worldwide...odds are it will be someday.

Rethinking that “explosion” of atheism in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia?s New Law Defines Atheism as ?Terrorism?, Bans All Criticism of Government

Brave atheist to be tortured, imprisoned in Saudi Arabia...Christian persecution fetishists quiet

imrs.php
 
There are a lot of people who call themselves Muslim only because their parents are. With the media how it is today it provides outlets for people to exchange ideas that are both conducive and constrictive to religious understanding. If someone is taught with the "It's just the way it is" and then later finds out something that leads them to believe otherwise, they have no basis to maintain their belief. That's one of the reasons I encourage people when they tell me something (both in my religion and not) "WHY?" If they can't answer that then I ask them "WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?" and "ARE YOU SURE? CAN YOU PROVE IT?".

Apart from that, why does an "EXPLOSION!" of Atheism in Saudi even make any difference to other Muslims? The people of Saudi aren't more religiously proper or straight than others. I certainly don't discount learning Quran and Hadith just because Saudis say it is one way.
 
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