Hi everyone, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is A.
(I won't give my actual name here because i don't want to be found.)
Long story made short.I'm male, ex muslim, and i live in Northern England.
While growing up my father was abusive in every way. It hurts when i think about the way my family was treated, especially my brother. He had a strong heart, and he 'answered back' a little too much for my fathers liking.
My brother moved out when he was quite young, and as time went by he spoke to the family less and less. Back then i thought he was the one who was wrong. I'd ask him what he believed in and he'd say something simple like 'life'. He'd escaped them, he was free, he was brave and it took me a while to see that. We often got into arguments about me going to the mosque when i didn't want to, he hated me not thinking for myself. Years later my brother died.
A few
more years later and i rarely spoke to my family. One day I explained to my cousin that I'm no longer a muslim. He spread it around to everyone and that was when the threats started. I had my facebook and email account hacked, awful messages sent to my friends, and threats were made. I didn't take it seriously, until I was beaten up and left with broken ribs and a punctured lung.
I moved away for a while, then i decided I'd had enough so i moved back to where i was before. Things have been calm for a while now. I don't have contact with ANY of my family. Not even the ones i thought i could trust and most of my friends are atheist. I've grown as a person and gained freedom, i feel wiser and stronger now.