Arabs without god: [atheism and freedom of belief in the Middle East]
In Arab countries, openly declaring a disbelief in God is a shocking and sometimes dangerous thing to do. Many have been imprisoned for it, some have been forced into exile and others threatened with execution. And yet, in a region where the influence of religion is almost inescapable, growing numbe...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Print Book |
| Language: | English |
| Subito Delivery Service: | Order now. |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| WorldCat: | WorldCat |
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
[North Charleston/S.C
Createspace]
2014
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| In: | Year: 2014 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Atheism
/ Arabs
/ Muslim
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| Further subjects: | B
Cultural standard
B Religious freedom B Atheism B Freedom of religion B God (Islam) B Faith and reason Islam B Morals B Atheism (Middle East) B Islam B Arab countries B Value B Norm Ethics B Culture |
| Summary: | In Arab countries, openly declaring a disbelief in God is a shocking and sometimes dangerous thing to do. Many have been imprisoned for it, some have been forced into exile and others threatened with execution. And yet, in a region where the influence of religion is almost inescapable, growing numbers are claiming a right to believe – or disbelieve – as they see fit. Social media have given them a voice and the uprisings that toppled Arab dictators have emboldened them to speak out. In this ground-breaking book, journalist Brian Whitaker looks at the factors that lead them to abandon religion and the challenges they pose for governments and societies that claim to be organised according to the will of God. Brian Whitaker is a former Middle East editor of the Guardian newspaper. He is the author of "What’s Really Wrong with the Middle East" and "Unspeakable Love: Gay and Lesbian Life in the Middle East". He blogs about Arab society and politics at www.al-bab.com Introduction. - 1. Life as an Arab atheist. - 2. Why Arabs turn to atheism. - 3. Organising for atheism. - 4. Atheists in Arab history. - 5. Religious privilege. - 6. A book of miracles. - 7. Once a Muslim, always a Muslim. - 8. The right to offend, shock and disturb. - 9. Atheism and Islamophobia Islam is often treated as an inextricable part of Arab culture, and in the minds of many in both the west and the Arab world, to be an Arab is to be a Muslim by default. While many religious minorities, notably the Druze, Jews and Christians, have found ways of reconciling their Arab identity with their beliefs, a far greater challenge faces the growing number of Arabs who identify as atheists, agnostics, or sceptics. Emboldened by the political upheavals of the Arab spring and facilitated by the growth of social media, these predominantly young men and women are becoming an increasingly vocal and assertive presence in Arab societies, despite facing the risk of imprisonment, ostracism, and death. Arabs Without God explores the roots and consequences of this phenomenon, as well as the experiences of those living as 'non-believers' in Muslim countries. Beginning with an examination of the history of atheism in the Arab world, it goes on to consider the circumstances which led these Arab Muslims to question their faith. It also examines the pressures they face in attempting to assert and defend their stance, both in Muslim countries and in the west, where they often find themselves caught between political Islamists who deride them as 'westernised' apostates, and a far right which regards all people from Muslim backgrounds as potential extremists. Arabs Without God argues passionately that these developments, previously ignored by western observers, are of vital importance to the future of Arab societies. For as the author says it is only 'when an atheist can be accepted and respected as a normal human being' that liberty will truly have arrived. About the Author: Brian Whitaker was formerly Middle East editor at the Guardian and is a frequent contributor to Guardian Comment is Free. He is also the founder of al-Bab.com, a Middle Eastern politics site. He is the author of Unspeakable Love: Gay and Lesbian Life in the Middle East (Saqi, 2006) and What's "Really" Wrong with the Middle East? (Saqi, 2009). |
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| Item Description: | Publication information from Amazon.com |
| ISBN: | 1501064835 |