THE CHALLENGES OF ATHEIST AMONG THE MALAYS’ COMMUNITIES
by
ILI AKMAL
JASZIANATUL
by
ILI AKMAL
JASZIANATUL
YOGESHWARY
KHOLEES
NURUL HIDAYAH
ABSTRACT
Many of people talking about freedom of speech which includes freedom of not believing in God and being atheists. For that issue, the researchers choose the topic of “The Challenges Of Atheist Among The Malays’ Communities” and studied the atheist experiences in all bound as the atheists decided to choose to stop practising any religion. The researchers have to identify the challenges as they interact with the locals and being in Malaysia, surrounded by the majority of people who lives in religion, whereas the factors (push and pull) leads to the atheists’ decision. From the findings that obtained from the qualitative method, it is understood that the atheist dealt with point of view barrier and adaptation to live as an atheist in Malaysia. Thus, as demonstrated in this study, it shows a clear view of the atheists challenges of Malay by race in adapting their new life who come from different background. It is not easy for anyone to adapt the new lifestyle and able to be one of the society. Interaction barrier is when the atheists have problem in interacting and to involve with people around them, especially with the locals because they want to hide their identity. This study also described the push and pull factors that made the atheists to keep trusting themselves to live this way in Malaysia. The push factor would be the atheist of their frustration towards religions in their society and to get equality yet freedom to question. On the other hand, pull factor would be the atheist freedom of speech yet dare to question.
1. INTRODUCTION
The word, atheism, derives from the negative a which means "no," and theos which means "God." Likewise, atheism in the most basic terms means "no god." Basically, atheism is the lack of belief in a god and/or the belief that there is no God. That makes them the non-believers because of not believe in God or follow any religion and to be free. There is a Malaysian Atheists organization claimed that they arose from the need for atheists in Malaysia to come together and be recognized as a significant segment of a society dominated by religious peoples and state-supported religious laws, policies and bodies.This organization also hopes to unite all free-thinking citizens to raise awareness of, defend and fight for progressive values such as the protection of women’s rights and under-represented groups, freedom of speech, freedom of expression, a more open and transparent government, separation of religion from state and education and the end of racial discrimination. According to Wikipedia, numbers of self-described atheists in Malaysia are few; the state has come under criticism from human rights organisations for its discrimination against atheists. For that reason most atheists have to hide their identity of choosing their way of life. In the Rukun Negara (Principle of the Country), one of the oath was "Kepercayaan Kepada Tuhan" (to believe in God). It is said that an atheist has break one of the principle of the country for becoming the non-believer. The government cannot do much on the atheists for they are using United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights to make them proceed the way of life they have chosen yet their decision to live and believe in themselves.
2. PROBLEM STATEMENT
Believing in god is a part of Rukun Negara. To believe in God and to live in religion is the right path of life and teaches us of moral values. Most of Malaysian with these kinds of citizens will have a high moral value and becoming more civilized. Harmony among religion is needed in the diversity of people, culture and religion. In reality some do not believe in god or practice ritual or prayer. These people who are the free thinkers refused to follow rules or laws as the guidance in life. They are precisely to be called as the atheist.
There is a Malaysian Atheists organization claimed that they arose from the need for atheists in Malaysia to come together and be recognized as a significant segment of a society dominated by religious peoples and state-supported religious laws, policies and bodies. They also quoted one of the primary functions of this organization is to serve as a united front defending atheists and other non-believers against discrimination and the violation of their basic right to belief (and disbelief) as outlined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 18 where: Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. This article 18 strengthen their decision’s of life.
For any reason they have use to make people to accept them, the citizens in Malaysia still think that atheism can lead to a negative lifestyle for atheists are free thinkers. Most of them are said that they can just do whatever they want including free sex, do not respect of people to have beliefs in life and do not have discipline in life.
There is a Malaysian Atheists organization claimed that they arose from the need for atheists in Malaysia to come together and be recognized as a significant segment of a society dominated by religious peoples and state-supported religious laws, policies and bodies. They also quoted one of the primary functions of this organization is to serve as a united front defending atheists and other non-believers against discrimination and the violation of their basic right to belief (and disbelief) as outlined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 18 where: Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. This article 18 strengthen their decision’s of life.
For any reason they have use to make people to accept them, the citizens in Malaysia still think that atheism can lead to a negative lifestyle for atheists are free thinkers. Most of them are said that they can just do whatever they want including free sex, do not respect of people to have beliefs in life and do not have discipline in life.
3. RESEARCH QUESTIONS / RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
There are two issues to be identified in this study, (i). Why the atheists disbelief in God? It analyze that how the atheists decided to stop believing in god. (ii) What are the behavioural changes after they became atheist? It will be identified on the factors of the behavioural changes after they became atheist whether they stop practising Islam or else.
4. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Randall Calvert (1994) from Thomas F. Eagleton University Professor of Public Affairs and Political Science outlines the outlook of a meeting of Identity, Expressive action and Rational Choice [theory]. Calvert offers a scenario whereby a combination between the explanatory power of rational choice models are made even more influenced by social and sociological factors. While recognizing the contributions and deficits of instrumental rationality, Calvert invites scholars to pursue a rational analysis of the individual-in-group; the individual in a social context where motivations are not limited only to notions of material utility, but also include social and symbolic constructs which are equally important in explaining choice and human action.
In criminology, adopts a utilitarian belief that man is a reasoning actor who weighs means and ends, costs and benefits, and makes a rational choice. This method was designed by Cornish and Clarke(1986) to support in thinking about situational crime prevention. Rational choice is based on numerous assumptions, one of which is individualism. The offender sees himself as an individual. The second is that individuals have to maximize their goals, and the third is that individuals are self-interested.
In criminology, adopts a utilitarian belief that man is a reasoning actor who weighs means and ends, costs and benefits, and makes a rational choice. This method was designed by Cornish and Clarke(1986) to support in thinking about situational crime prevention. Rational choice is based on numerous assumptions, one of which is individualism. The offender sees himself as an individual. The second is that individuals have to maximize their goals, and the third is that individuals are self-interested.
Source: Calvert, Randall (1994)
Rational choice theory reasons that social systems are structured in ways that structure the alternatives and consequences facing individuals so that they behave rationally. This allows them to best serve their self-interest within the constraints and resources that go with social systems and their status in them.
It focuses on the ways social structures meet social needs. To be concerned with the question on how societies of atheist maintain internal stability and survive over time. It continues to try and explain about how societies of atheist maintained their stability and internal cohesion necessary in order to ensure their continued existence over time. Through this perspective, societies of atheist are thought to function like organisms, with various social institutions cooperate together like organs to maintain and reproduce them.
This refers to descent with modification which focuses on the way to modify or change their lifestyle and background. This research will show how the respondents react towards the environment around them and explains about how the atheism makes in order to ensure about the acceptance of the people around them. The societies of atheist are thought to be the new changes in the history of life.
The challenges gives the reality in socially as the individual characterize others in their world and in rational choice theory as the theory allows the respondents to best serve their self-interest within the constraints and resources that go with social systems and their status in them.
5. LITERATURE REVIEW
Few studies have been made by scholars and researchers. For instance, Alvin Plantinga (2010) had a research on theism, atheism and rationality. Plantinga doesn’t seem to be interested in a general philosophical point about the rationality of believing in God without evidence; really he is just launching a bombardment in the defence of Christianity. To him, the theist will see the atheist as somehow the victim of sin in the world — his own sin or the sin of others. According to the book of Romans, unbelief is a result of sin; it originates in an effort to “suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” Plantinga argues that there is not a general obligation to have evidence for everything you believe, thus: “There seems no reason to think that I have such an obligation. Clearly I am not under an obligation to have evidence for everything I believe; that would not be possible. But why, then, suppose that I have an obligation to accept belief in God only if I accept other propositions which serve as evidence for it?” .
The Presumption of Atheism,by Antony Flew (1984) . Flew was known as a strong advocate of atheism. In his book, he argued that believers in God have the burden of proof similar to the presumption of innocence found in our court systems. Given the extraordinary claims of religion and the fact of religious diversity the burden of proof is on the believer, just as it’s on the prosecutor in courtroom proceedings.
International Humanist and Ethical Union (2013) did a study on the atheists living in 13 countries risk being condemned to death, just for their beliefs (or non-belief) according to a new, comprehensive report from the International Humanist and Ethical Union out on Tuesday. All 13 countries identified by the study are Muslim majority.
Apabila agama menghakis Tuhan (When the religion eliminating God) (2011) by Prof Madya Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin the renowned former mufti from Perlis had said that Atheism has growing little by little in the world today. It said 2.3 percent of the world population has confessed atheist. In fact, it was increased by a massive 15 per cent claiming to have actually atheist. Today the atheists also think of them as one's own religion is the basis that they also have their belief system. These things happen because Christianity in particular has failed to provide answers to the many questions raised by scientific and philosophical. As we know, Galileo Galilei was a physicist, mathematician and astronomer (1564-1642) was punished by the church. The banned listing book by the church until 1835. However, in 1992, Pope John Paul II in an attempt to make relevance in Christianity increasingly criticized, he has made a public statement regretting the action and church services on Galileo .This remind Dr Mohd Asri of the actions of religious authorities in Malaysia has banned a number of books that are not compatible with them. In some books it had no clear evidence against the Islam like a book 'Pelik tetapi Benar( Strange But True)' written by Ustaz Abdul Rahman Mohamed of Singapore. Without any argument broke up, party committees religion in Malaysia has banned a book like this. It is just because 'it doesn’t meet some criteria.' Worse, the ban was not any scientific work that can be lifted. Malaysia, have changed. There is a lot of us that needs to be revamped. Otherwise, the crisis in the name of religious hostility employed will continue to persist. We should take heed of what has happened to the church.Islam in its history has never rejected things without go through it first. Even Islamic religious holds discussions and conventions for compilations of arguments or opinions. If Muslims practice Islam, ready to argue, discuss and reason, then logically atheism will not grow in the Muslim community. In fact, the belief in religion also will not be eroded by the development of philosophy and science because Islam is the religion of the opinions.
But, unfortunately, those who are managing the Muslims, are mostly having the attitude of the church in the dark ages, which tends to ban and punish before any discussion or confrontation. This religion has widely taken advantage of by the narrow minded, but use Islam to the fore. This occurs in our country. Many religious groups have failed to present some mature conversation, yet put rage emotionally to the civilians in the name of Islam.
What are atheists for? Hypotheses about the functions of non-belief in the evolution of religion by a political scientist from University Edinburgh, Dominic Johnson (2012) ; gives ten hypothesis of that. One of the hypotheses is of the counter to the bolstering hypothesis, the restraint hypothesis theorizes that atheism forces religious doctrine to moderate. As religious belief grows extreme, atheists step in, reject it, and thereby force religious leaders to tone it down. Extreme religious doctrines could damage society, and atheism acts as a force of correction, ensuring religion does not become harmful. Atheism may continue to spread until the religious leaders and their most dangerous practices.
The American Atheists Organization has stated that atheists often disagree on many issues and ideas. Atheists come in a variety of shapes, colours, beliefs, convictions, and backgrounds. This statement shows that the organization wants us to accept atheists the diversity in the community.
6. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This research based on qualitative research methods. This involves some surveys that observe people’s lives, experiences and behaviours, and the stories and significances individuals assign to them. It can also investigate the structural functioning, relationships between individuals and groups, and social environments. Interview questions that used in this research, enable us to discuss about the human subject . Open questions tend to be used for asking and receiving answers about facts such as their name, places which they live and so on. The approaches to this research can involve the studied use and collection of a variety of experiential materials such as personal experience, life stories and interviews. It may bring new understandings into the experiences of individuals, groups or communities, or into issues such as environmental change.
This research and our focus area were in Kuala Lumpur and some other states where the focus group was who are freethinkers (non believer in god). The researchers focused on Malay community and able to interview about 5 of them.We interviewed employees and those who are working and all of them were males. These male employees who are the respondents, are working as supervisor, designer, businessman, and a technician at the service centre. Almost all of them are working in Selangor and two of them working in Sabah and Perak. Key informant interviews were used to conduct with individuals or groups with specific knowledge or capability about the issue being explored with a set list of questions. This research done by preparing a set list of questions to ask them during the interview session.
During the interview the respondents of the interviewers are by face to face, email and Facebook. Once they are interviewed, the recorded conversations are transformed into a transcript. After the conversation of the interviews were transcripted, sampling is done. Purposeful sampling is a non-random method of sampling, where the researcher selects “information-rich cases for study in depth. Information-rich cases are those from which one can learn a great deal about issues of central importance to the purpose of the research, thus the term purposeful sampling. The answers given by the interviewees are analysed and categorized in thematic form. With that, the findings of the researcher are done.
7. DATA ANALYSIS
The research is about the atheists’ hardship in life and interviewed about 5 Malay males from different background and states (overall in Malaysia).The researchers managed to get their contact to collect details about them and interviewed them via Facebook messenger and email. Before the researchers interview them, the researchers discussed on how many questions and what are the questions to be asked during the interview session. The researchers wrote down all the questions and the researchers categorized it all under 4 themes. The researchers segregate the questions into themes, to ensure that, the researchers should not ask questions out of the box which are not related to this research. The themes which are personality,influence,community and education and under each theme the researchers prepared a number of questions according to it. They were about 18 questions altogether. Personality about 5 questions,influence 3 questions,community 7 and lastly, education about 3 questions.These questions which under the themes helped us to achieve our objectives of this research.
In personality,basically the researchers asked questions in generally on their job,how long that they have been atheist and so on.All the 5 respondents are became atheist past 2 to years ago and the 4th respondent never say out.that since when that he has changed.There are 3 of them are well educated while 2 of them moderately educated but they are in good position of work.The respondents are working in a good position and no one is jobless.The respondents said they changed after they became an atheist.The respondents changed by trying new things that they have never tried before,the respondents curious to learn about something new,the respondents also start to question them, and the respondents became independent due to their changes.
Through influence we had asked what are the reason that made them to change themselves as an atheist.Each of them influenced by their own and they have their own stories.Respondent 3 influenced by books that he had studied.The respondent reads all the science fiction books and he started to question himself.One respondent changed himself because the opinion of the god is not helping him eventhough he’s too religious.So, he had to believe that there is no existence of God.The respondents had no longer believe God because he thinks he is always being ignored and always failed in his life.Respondents also influenced by their celebrity who they like the most such as Richard Dawkins,Azeem and Eriq and also Bertrand Russell.Respondents 1 and 3 who are not influenced by any of the celebrity and the respondents took the decision by their own.
Community themes covers about the actions taken by the community (family,relatives,people around them )after they became an atheist,does their family members know that they had changed as an atheist.Respondents 1 and 5, their family members and their relatives got to know that they are an atheist while rest of their family members don’t aware that they changed as an atheist.The respondents had many obstacles by changing as an atheist such as depression,they have to hide their real identity and had to fake life.Parents,family members,relatives and community of course started to make distance with them because none of them understand their situation.All of them stated to hate the atheists.
In education, the researchers covered by asking question on what are the three books that represents your world view,do they had research on al-quran or bible before the respondents became an atheist.All of the atheist have the books that the respondents have to represent the world view few books for instance, The God desolution,Tariq Ramadan,The greatest show on Earth and many more.All of them had done research on Al-Quran, but only respondent 4 who are do not do any research on any holy book because he stated that he’s enough for him to see scenario or living things besides him.Throughout this data analysis, the researchers managed to find out and how the atheist being influenced and what are the consequences that they gone through and we learned about how to analyse a data and extracting points from the interview.
8. FINDINGS
After interviewing five atheists, there are two major barriers that they face, which are people’s perception towards them and their decision to become atheist differentiate them from us who lives in religion. Most of the atheists face problems in interacting with locals due to different views of life. These atheists do have basic knowledge of the religion which is Islam since they were a mere child but they might have misinterpreted Islam in the wrong idea such as all religions are not created by God but it was just a made up by men and they think if God does exists, why God let destructions, catastrophe or worst thing to happen?
These atheists come from different background. Most of these atheists are from the slightly identical culture and society. They have problems in adapting to the local religions as it is contrasted with their views whereas they used to be a Muslim before. So, it makes the adaption process longer or even difficult. One of the most common contrasts that these atheists have a problem with is the rules of Islam. Rules in Islam are the essential element for a Muslim to show that their way of life is according to Islam and the rules of Islam a known as Syariah has been an identity for diverse religion around the world. Some of these atheists have a problem with the rules of Islam like pray five times in a day. Pray five times are the main foundation in Islam but one respondent said it is a waste of time to pray everyday piously but God still let bad things happen. These atheists have problem as people do not know they are atheist and they do not practice the ritual of their former religion which is Islam. Since they are living in Malaysia, they have to fake they are still Muslim and get use to it. However, most of the time they prefer to be with the society who are atheist too or the people who can accept whoever they are. Other than that, the difference in their point of view is also another problem. Malaysians are mostly living in religion. For this, these atheists afraid that people cannot accept them because they don’t believe in God. These differences are above their fear of people’s perception towards them that they are facing. Example of the respondents’ statements:
Respondent 1:
“ I came out as a queer-atheist to them and they are, while taken aback, but still are loving and supportive. They advise me about religion, spirituality which I listen and we often discusses about them - but they also ask for my point of views on things in the world too. A dynamic I suppose. Yes, There were obstacles, as mentioned above. Some accepted without judgement, others want me dead. Either by their hand, or by my own (suicide)”.
Respondent 2:
“I have to hide my real identity and living in lies because there is no way to erase Islam from my IC”.
Respondent 5:
“Some people threaten to kill me. Initially, my mother didn’t want to regard me as a son anymore but then I have to lie that I am back to Islam. My classmates isolated me and remove me from their social media list. I feel devastated for that. My intention is to look for the truth and becoming someone better. For now, I have to go away from them and started a new life in a new place.
Despite the challenges and obstacles that the atheist face when they stop practicing Islam, in this country, there are atheists who move to another area, state, country and live abroad. One of it is known as pull factors where the host country attracts atheists to live as they wanted to be in their country. One of the pull factors would be some recommendation from their atheist friend. They can be free from any bad perceptions that they had received in Malaysia and they will get their freedom of their choice.
Another reason would be living in another country such as the western countries, they protect the atheist legally which secure them from any harm and the environment of the country which are peaceful and developed. Legal actions toward those who threatened them is not something that could be existed anywhere. So, the atheists grab the opportunity to live abroad where they are safe to be an atheist.
Besides the pull factor, the atheists live abroad can be due to push factor that makes them leave their country. There are many push factors that contribute a person to leave their country to live abroad. One of it is to get equality and acceptance from the community and society. They also plan to go back to their motherland once they have been accepted by the family and societies. These are the examples of the respondents’ statement:
Respondent 1
“That I am just like them. I want to find answers to life, to love, to God, to truth. I don't want to be hurt. I want to learn, without being judged and being threatened with murders and torture for not being how they want me to be”.
Respondent 3
“Some of my friends had been banished from their family”.
Respondents 5:
“I would like to suggest to the society to make reading as a culture. To that, with various kind of reading, it will become the process of maturity. So they would not simply make any assumption and judge others who thinks differently from what they believe”.
9. CONCLUSION
This research highlighted several aspects relating to atheists to keep on standing for what they wanted to be on deciding to become an atheist in the Malay community. There are the push and pull factors to describe on their decision. The push factor of the atheist is their frustration towards religions in their society because their questions about religion have put people to misinterpret them and even threaten them so they would come back to their former religion that is Islam. The other push factor to get equality with freedom to question about things or rules in Islam . For the pull factor, it would be the atheists’ freedom of speech as they are “Dare to know”; and also is loosely translated as “Dare to be wise” for “Sapere Aude” after the poet Horace and reintroduced by Immanuel Kant as the motto for the total period of the Enlightenment, and used it to progress his theories of the application of Reason in the public sphere of human affairs.
Malaysia practices democratic rule and the harmonious society of multiracial and cultural diversity but things are different if someone speaks about religion. Things can be sensitive. Why the atheists disbelief in God? It analysed that how the atheists decided to stop believing in god and they thought that God hasn’t done things to help but make things going worse. What are the behavioural changes after they became atheist? This research identified on the factors of the behavioural changes after they became atheist, whether they stop practising Islam or else. They become someone who is more inquisitive yet curious to any matters and they really keen on religious matters but the atheists in Malay community should not be treated badly as they are doing some kind of crime. Their curiosity should be celebrated and to be answered calmly and their questions to give us an idea to make further research for academic and religious benefits.
10. BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Calvert, Randall (1994) "Identity, Expression, and Rational-Choice Theory" in Michael Martin and Lee McIntyre (eds.) Readings in the Philosophy of the Social Sciences, MIT Press, pp. 569-596.
2.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzIzct31fEA Does God exist? by Albert Einstein
3.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rational_choice_theory_(criminology)
4.Antony Flew (1984) The Presumption of Atheism:God Freedom and Immorality: A Critical Analysis
5.International Humanist and Ethical Union (2013) Freedom of Thought Report 2015.
6.Prof Madya Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin (2011) When the religion eliminating god.
7.Dominic Johnson (2012) What are atheist for?
8.American Atheists organization (1999) What is Atheism?
9.Immanuel Kant(1784) Answering the Question: What Is Enlightenment?
10.Horace (20BC) First Book of Letters
11. APPENDIX
RESPONDENT 1
1. Please briefly share something about who you are (your job, your family, or the like).
RESPONDENT 1
1. Please briefly share something about who you are (your job, your family, or the like).
I am a human right activist, designer, writer, illustrator and a researcher on human science. Will be furthering my study in Sociology and Anthropology soon. I was raised as a rationalist muslim in a Hanafi-Syafi'e sufi family. My father is a ra'ie hanafi (rationalist hanafi) that is also a sufi, and my mother is a Syafi'e with highly spiritual outlook on life and is an open minded, loving person.
2. How long have you been as an atheist?
Depends. I had been questioning religion, god since I was 12. I finally come to term with my skepticism 2 years ago, but it is still a constant struggle, since I am always cross-checking facts with the hadith, quran, sirah and all.
3. Is there anything you see fellow atheists do and wish they didn’t?
I saw that they can be just as vicious, judgemental, bigoted as the theist which is upsetting. Human are the same regardless if they call themselves atheist or theist.
4. If there a convert from atheist to someone who has religion?What is it? Why?
Not often, but few of my atheist friends convert to Sufi-Islam, non-denominational Islam and Buddhism. (or other faith that are not as dogmatic, indoctrinated heavily)
5. Is there any changes in your behavior after you become an atheist?
I am more critical in everything I read, I question everything. I am empirical rather than just solely relying of faith. I became a nihilist, that rejects the point of existence of everything which leads to my depression and suicide ideation to the unbearable nature of reality : cruel, no justice, no love, no hope no future - you get the idea.
6 .What are the reasons that made you to that led you to atheism or become as a
freethinker? Please also share a little bit about how you’ve come to find yourself as an
atheist.
freethinker? Please also share a little bit about how you’ve come to find yourself as an
atheist.
I was one of the admin that represent muslim in Warung Atheist before, I was protective of the muslims there regardless of whom they are : Sunni, Ahmedi, Sufi, Salafi, Shia, Quranist, LGBT - I wanted them to have equal voice in Warung atheist, and the admins agreed and trusted me. However things get awry when people starts labelling me kafir, murtad, atheist, munafik, gay etc. for voicing out equally of others of their rights. I broke down crying seeing that my effort to spread love, justice, equality, humanity that is ingrained in Islam was backfired and the people that I thought were my brothers and sisters in religion actually forced me to just leave Islam while my atheist-freethinkers urge me to be in religion that I find myself peace in and be happy, don't listen to people that didn't want the best out of me. How ironic is that?
I start to question everything, since the actions of muslims are contradicting with the tenets, and slowly I began doing extensive reseach in the Quran and hadith.. while I agree Quran IS a guidance to humanity, it is not however, book of science, nor it is factual.. it IS beautiful and does have its point and needed to be read with context - but I have my doubts still and like I said, I am still researching, studying.
I was in an Islamic NGO to promote compassion, mercy, humanity within Islam (that didn't turn out well either when my liberal-progressive muslim only used me and my skill and then betrayed me and left me to die. Bullied to the point of suicide) which dissapoints me, I thought the liberal-progressive would be different.
It was the atheist friends and Shia friends that saved me from suicide and even scolded, adviced the bullies that were muslims to back off. And unfortunately, there were a lot of people that I heard, wanted me to just kill myself. They were muslims. How could they? Is that what Islam teaches? Why is it on avarage that the muslim are that cruel whereas they have the Quran, Hadith and Sunnah that taught them about Rahmatan Lil Alamin, Rahman and Rahim, understanding, loving one another. *sigh*
7.How do you get to know that someone can choose to become an atheist?
When they choose to reject the notion of personal god(s), god(s) in general, or the concept of mainstream god(s). Then you are, an atheist by the definition, it's just a snap.
8. Name the celebrity who’s atheist that inspire you to become an atheist?
None. I decided on my own.
9.Does your family know that you are an atheist?
Yes. My whole immediate family and extended family knows.
10. What are the obstacles that you face whenever you became a freethinker?
Depression, Suicide ideations (not sure if its just me, or other feels the same because I am suicidal and depressed since I was young), persecution from my Muslim community, being kill, being forced to leave Islam (if I decide not to disclose my stance), be called kafir, murtad, my blood is halal, people like me don't deserve to live, bullied.. ya. all that jazz.
11. How does your parents, friends, community and society react to this? Have you ever
experienced discrimination or poor treatment by society because of your atheism?
experienced discrimination or poor treatment by society because of your atheism?
I came out as a queer-atheist to them and they are, while taken aback, but still are loving and supportive. They advice me about religion, spirituality which I listen and we often discusses about them - but they also ask for my point of views on things in the world too. A dynamic I suppose. Yes, There were obstacles, as mentioned above. Some accepted without judgement, others wants me dead. Either by their hand, or by my own (suicide).
12. What are the actions taken as the family members know about the atheist identity?
As mentioned above. They are supportive, loving - though sometime advice me about spirituality, Islam from their perspective.
13. How could people with religion, becoming better friends for you? Do you have any
Christian, Moslem, Buddhists or Hindus friends? If so, what kinds of practices that
help to make your relationship with them stronger?
Christian, Moslem, Buddhists or Hindus friends? If so, what kinds of practices that
help to make your relationship with them stronger?
I have friends from all over the spectrum of humanity. I don't hate religious people, I am against anti-muslim bigotry and would stand up for my muslim friend & family if they're attacking by Islamophobe/Muslimphobe that endanger both muslim and ex-muslims alike. I talk about everything, even religion and lack thereof with friends of other faith. They don't judge whether I am in, out or still struggling with my faith and they're supportive of it.. but 60% of my muslim friends however do not.
14. What are some areas of common ground where Christians, Moslems, Buddhists and
Hindus and atheists could work together?
Hindus and atheists could work together?
Anything to be honest. Human rights, enviromental activism, spreading love, humanity, understanding. I wish they could understand that we're all that we have - each other. And this world is all that we have now.. Earth. Make the best of both.. not hurt each other.
15. What is something you wish people with religion understood better about you?
That I am just like them. I want to find answers to life, to love, to god, to truth. I don't want to be hurt. I want to learn, without being judged and being threaten with murders and torture for not being how they want me to be.
16. What are the three books best represent your worldview?
• The Communist Menifesto - Marx and Engel • Developing the philosophy of Pluralism - Tariq Ramadan • Being and Nothingness - Jean Paul Sarte
17. What’s the worst, most despicable and thoughtless misrepresentation of atheists
you’ve ever seen in your life?
you’ve ever seen in your life?
That I don't have morals and ethics. I eat babies. I would kill people. I don't want to find the truth. I hated muslim and religious people (not often the case without being triggered), that I hate my family and friends. That I did this for "popularity".
18. Have you done a research on Bible and Al-Quran before you decided to become atheist?
I've done research on most holy books, Vedas, Bible, Quran, and the subsequent books that follows regarding them.
RESPONDENT 2
1. Please briefly share something about who you are (your job, your family,
or the like).
or the like).
I work as a supervisor at this one convenient store. I am at the middle of 20 and not married. I was raised in the middle class Malay family.
2. How long have you been as an atheist?
Since 2013.
3. Is there anything you see fellow atheists do and wish they didn’t?
Certain Malay atheists were a bit over when they say things about Islam and it became a humiliation for the religion. I mean, the right to speak is there but the Malay Muslim community are not used to be humiliated. So when the atheists did that and it went viral, the people would start to think that all atheists own the same behavior. To talk about Islam, they are supposed to do that by using good words and mind logics to make Muslims think that their minds are stuck with their ancestor’s religion.
4. Is there any convert from atheist to someone who has religion?What is it?
Why?
I have never heard of it but there was this case about a Malay young lady aged around 20, she was said that she converted then she returned back to Islam. She was still very young and her mind was easily persuaded by her family and stressed by the Muslims to return to her religion. Anyway, this was just a plain story, I never ask her myself to confirm.
5. Is there any changes in your behavior after you become an atheist?
I became more independent towards myself and I believe that my efforts are not to depend to the ‘ sky ’. I was becoming calmer and better to face this life. I have seen so many evil things happened arounf us and if we knew that God does not exist, everything is very much acceptable because there is no God to stop those. Seeing those cases like stepping on the cat and crushed it with heels, or a lady being locked and raped many times, when we still believe in God, we are actually weirdly mad because why does God let all the evil things happened and watched them all ? If I was there, I would not let those to happen and stop them all, but He was just there and did nothing. So by believing there is no God, everything makes sense.
6. What are the reasons that made you to that led you to atheism or become as a
freethinker? Please also share a little bit about how you’ve come to find yourself as an
atheist.
freethinker? Please also share a little bit about how you’ve come to find yourself as an
atheist.
A lot, like one of them is Palestine issue and also, I’ve been lied by a friend for thousand ringgits. Both cases happened when I was still in my religion and had always went to the mosque and wearing kopiah. When those happened, we were just prayed to Allah but nothing happens until now, it was weird. Regarding the Palestine issue, its the same, billions of Muslim were killed for 60 years and counting, they were just prayed to God, including the pious men but none changes. Israel keeps winning every war. And all the suffers across the world, like in Indonesia and Papua, sacrificed their peoples until drought season in Somalia in 2012 that killed many local people. All happened without Allah doing nothing. The society tried to help all the suffers but Allah just watched. Humans have more compassion compared to Him. But that was not the main reason, because after that, I have started to do some research on all the critics made by Islam’s oppositioners, and seeing things that cannot be defended like the practice of taking the women slave from her non Muslim master in which villages were being attacked by Muslim soldiers and marrying underaged girls. This is just too little, I have many more like Al Quran’s facts and fairytales in it but there is no solid proves like birds talking to men, Muhammad flought to the sky and the cracked moon.
7. How do you get to know that someone can choose to become an atheist?
Because I used to listen lectures on religions comparisons. I started to listen to Zakir Naik since I was form 1 so I used to these different ideas of religions.
8. Name the celebrity who’s atheist that inspire you to become an atheist?
Richard Dawkins
9.Does your family know that you are an atheist?
No.
10. What are the obstacles that you face whenever you became a freethinker?
I have to hide my real identity and living in lies because there is no way to erase Islam from my IC.
11. How does your parents, friends, community and society react to this? Have you ever experienced discrimination or poor treatment by society because of your atheism?
They do not know so I dont really feel that. But if I dont pray or start to critic Islam, the negative reactions were already there.
12. How could people with religion, becoming better friends for you? Do you have any
Christian, Moslem, Buddhists or Hindus friends? If so, what kinds of practices that
help to make your relationship with them stronger?
I have friends from all of it. I am against the crap ideologies and closed minded, I object Islam because it is forcing people and cannot be critic.
13.What are some areas of common ground where Christians, Moslems, Buddhists and
Hindus and atheists could work together?
Think rationally and critis, the importance of knowledge balancing and became a discipline individual.
14. What are the three books best represent your worldview?
The God Delusion, The Greatest Show on Earth and the Edge of Evolution
15. What’s the worst, most despicable and thoughtless misrepresentation of atheists
you’ve ever seen in your life?
The unmoral atheists and would do the murders for many.
16. Have you done a research on Bible and Al-Quran before you decided to become
atheist?
Yes, very deeply and also memorising the surahs and certain verses.
RESPONDENT 3
1. Please briefly share something about who you are (your job, your family, or the like).
1. Please briefly share something about who you are (your job, your family, or the like).
I am establishing my own company. My parents are quite open. They don’t enforce religion so much on our daily lifestyle.
2. Is there anything you see fellow atheists do and wish they didn’t?
Yes, most atheists are being arrogant and insensitive towards other religion.
3. If there a convert from atheist to someone who has religion?What is it? Why?
I think, it would be Buddha. Because it is a philosophical religion.
4. Is there any changes in your behavior after you become an atheist?
Yes. I started to try new things that is forbidden before this.
5 .What are the reasons that made you to that led you to atheism or become as a
freethinker? Please also share a little bit about how you’ve come to find yourself as an
atheist.
freethinker? Please also share a little bit about how you’ve come to find yourself as an
atheist.
The reason is knowledge. I studied plenty of books, and meeting lots of people. I focus my research on the historical sides of every religions, and I found interesting things about the origin of my previous belief. That is the point where I felt that religion is merely a creation by men.
6.How do you get to know that someone can choose to become an atheist?
I get to know it because it is up to each one of us to determine our own belief.
7. Name the celebrity who’s atheist that inspire you to become an atheist?
No, I do not have anyone that inspire me. I became atheist because of my own desire and also my research.
8.Does your family know that you are an atheist?
No.
9. What are the obstacles that you face whenever you became a freethinker?
Marriage. I like Muslim women, so it is an obstacle when they refused to get serious with me once they know I am an atheist.
10. How does your parents, friends, community and society react to this? Have you ever
experienced discrimination or poor treatment by society because of your atheism?
experienced discrimination or poor treatment by society because of your atheism?
No, up to this point, my friends and community respect for what I am. My parents has no idea about any of this thing.
11. What are the actions taken as the family members know about the atheist identity?
Some of my friends had been banished from their family.
12. How could people with religion, becoming better friends for you? Do you have any
Christian, Moslem, Buddhists or Hindus friends? If so, what kinds of practices that
help to make your relationship with them stronger?
Christian, Moslem, Buddhists or Hindus friends? If so, what kinds of practices that
help to make your relationship with them stronger?
Yes, I have a lot of friends with different religion background. I always had discussion with them about religion, ethics, and philosophy.
13. What are some areas of common ground where Christians, Moslems, Buddhists and
Hindus and atheists could work together?
Hindus and atheists could work together?
I believe that all religion aim for a better community, this involves helping and respecting each other. All religions share the same moral value.
14. What is something you wish people with religion understood better about you?
I hope they understand that I am not in this condition because of my illiteracy. I am like this because I do know things. They always said that I got wrong teachers.
15. What are the three books best represent your worldview?
1.1 Karen Armstrong, The History of God
1.2 Richard Dawkins, The Greatest Show on Earth
1.3 How on Earth Happened?
18. What’s the worst, most despicable and thoughtless misrepresentation of atheists
you’ve ever seen in your life?
you’ve ever seen in your life?
Atheism exists because of hatred to the creator.
19. Have you done a research on Bible and Al-Quran before you decided to become
atheist?
atheist?
Of course! In fact, I am learning the Quran because I want to strengthen my belief, but then it turned out other way.
RESPONDENT 4
1. Please briefly share something about who you are (your job, your family, or the like).
I'm nobody. I’m just a person that searching the meaning of life.
2. How long have you been as an atheist?
As long as i think it is worth to be as an atheist.
3. Is there anything you see fellow atheists do and wish they didn’t?
In some case they keep it secret.
4. If there a convert from atheist to someone who has religion?What is it? Why?
They probably sober at that time.
5. Is there any changes in your behavior after you become an atheist?
I becoming someone who really curious about knowledge.
6 .What are the reasons that made you to that led you to atheism or become as a
freethinker? Please also share a little bit about how you’ve come to find yourself as an
atheist.
freethinker? Please also share a little bit about how you’ve come to find yourself as an
atheist.
One day i been thinking about my faith. that's only my action that i have to take to change myself.there's nobody else would do.
7.How do you get to know that someone can choose to become an atheist?
When they realized that everything surround them is not been created but it's there as it's so.
8. Name the celebrity who’s atheist that inspire you to become an atheist?
Azeem + Eriq.
9.Does your family know that you are an atheist?
No.
10. What are the obstacles that you face whenever you became a freethinker?
Haters around the world.
11. How does your parents, friends, community and society react to this? Have you ever
experienced discrimination or poor treatment by society because of your atheism?
experienced discrimination or poor treatment by society because of your atheism?
Some of them will question the decision that i have made.
12. What are the actions taken as the family members know about the atheist identity?
They will not accept me as a loyal muslim as well.
13. How could people with religion, becoming better friends for you? Do you have any
Christian, Moslem, Buddhists or Hindus friends? If so, what kinds of practices that
help to make your relationship with them stronger?
Christian, Moslem, Buddhists or Hindus friends? If so, what kinds of practices that
help to make your relationship with them stronger?
Talk more about the life,future,ambition, not really talk about the religion stuff.
14. What are some areas of common ground where Christians, Moslems, Buddhists and
Hindus and atheists could work together?
Hindus and atheists could work together?
Panji studio.
15. What is something you wish people with religion understood better about you?
I need a evidence about every single thing that happen in this world.
16. What are the three books best represent your worldview?
Junk magazine,men's health, Al-Quran.
17. What’s the worst, most despicable and thoughtless misrepresentation of atheists
you’ve ever seen in your life?
you’ve ever seen in your life?
The galaxy has been created by someone.
18. Have you done a research on Bible and Al-Quran before you decided to become
atheist?
atheist?
Enough for me to see the living thing surrounding me.
RESPONDENT 5
1. Please briefly share something about who you are (your job, your family, or the like).
I was born and raised from a family with strong belief in Islam. My early educations were all in Islamic studies and I was once studied in Maahad Tahfiz Darul Anuar, Pulau Malaka, Kelantan ( where Nik Aziz was schooled ). Then, I studied in engineering course. My father and my grandmother were both religion teachers. My brother is the same as me. Since then, our family has been recognized as the place to study Al Quran. I am 24years old, single and from Tawau. I am working in the automobile factory in Kota Kinabalu.
2. How long have you been as an atheist?
Actually, all the questions about faith have been stayed in my mind since I was in my school. I studied and read all the materials including bible and Al Quran. Finally after 2 years on 2014, I decided to believe in no God secretly.
3. Is there anything you see fellow atheists do and wish they didn’t?
Never to admit their beliefs or it will bring harm to them.
4. If there a convert from atheist to someone who has religion?What is it? Why?
In social medias and among my converted friends, secretly. Most of them were Muslims then changed to Christian or Atheist. Almost all of them did not change anything of their faiths.
5. Is there any changes in your behavior after you become an atheist?
There are lots, like how I think and how to decide and act.
6 .What are the reasons that made you to that led you to atheism or become as a
freethinker? Please also share a little bit about how you’ve come to find yourself as an
atheist.
freethinker? Please also share a little bit about how you’ve come to find yourself as an
atheist.
It came from my surrounding where most of them are religious people and they judge others too quickly and it made me feels irritated. Including on the current issues and facts around the Islamic countries. I was a bit inspired from books, articles and other literatures. I realized when I started to be critisized and questioning God and religion.
7.How do you get to know that someone can choose to become an atheist?
When they question their faiths.
8. Name the celebrity who’s atheist that inspire you to become an atheist?
Bertrand Russell.
9.Does your family know that you are an atheist?
They do know from the social medias, eventually my parents knew it after they have been told.
10. What are the obstacles that you face whenever you became a freethinker?
I was being isolated by those who do not get it.
11. How does your parents, friends, community and society react to this? Have you ever
experienced discrimination or poor treatment by society because of your atheism?
experienced discrimination or poor treatment by society because of your atheism?
There are people who wantes to kill. At the beginning, my parents didnt admit me as their son. Then I lied that I have returned. My ex classmates also isolated me. Some of them removed and blocked me online. Sometimes, I do feel sad. My intention was just to find the truth and be better. Now I have to live on my own at a new place.
12. How could people with religion, becoming better friends for you? Do you have any
Christian, Moslem, Buddhists or Hindus friends? If so, what kinds of practices that
help to make your relationship with them stronger?
Christian, Moslem, Buddhists or Hindus friends? If so, what kinds of practices that
help to make your relationship with them stronger?
I am close to my Christians and Buddhists friends. They dont have the issue to not befriend with different religions. I am a Sabahan living in Kota Kinabalu. The people are friendly apart of different beliefs. To compare, the Christians have more tolerates in them. They are more open but I do have Muslim friends here and they are nice. I’ve heard a lot of them changing beliefs and married to different cultures but their families did not neglect them. In fact, they are celebrating together to show that they are not enemies and this practice is good for all religions. To care for the Muslims sentivity, they did separating th e dishes and cook them on their own, and this make me feels better to befriend with them.
13. What are some areas of common ground where Christians, Moslems, Buddhists and
Hindus and atheists could work together?
Hindus and atheists could work together?
Unless they hide their identities, then they can work together. In public, there is no chance. The malay mentality need to change to think forward, open and matured.
14. What is something you wish people with religion understood better about you?
I suggest that the people to practice lots of readings. By do so, they will not assume easily and they way they think will not be influenced by others especially to those who have different views.
15. What are the three books represent your worldview?
- On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, Charles Darwin
- Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy, Bertrand Russell
- Atheis, Achdiat K. Mihardja
16. What’s the worst, most despicable and thoughtless misrepresentation of atheists
you’ve ever seen in your life?
you’ve ever seen in your life?
They were chased out of their countries. Worst is when they are threatened with murders. I have been through the same thing.
17. Have you done a research on Bible and Al-Quran before you decided to become
atheist?
atheist?
I studied Bible and Al Quran before I decided to not believe. I read the related books and history. But there was none that I feel it is true. Then I read a book by Karen Armstrong and others as well. With the research and the hypothesis I got, I found that religion is to rule people and control them in once. It used doctrin, to believe in life after death, heaven and hell to scare people off for them to be ruled. Abraham’s religion already stated that the Jews, Christians and Muslims are religions that cannot be questioned. To question or critic the pious is wrong and could cause someone to out from the religion. That is one of the reason why I chose to be an Atheist.
