Being an ex-muslim

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- InfidelAussieLeb
- Ex-Muslim
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Being an ex-muslim
OP - November 20, 2008, 02:38 PM

I would like to introduce myself, and pose a question to you all.

Would you rather not be an ex-muslim, in the sense that you would rather not be an ex-anything, and instead identify yourself with who you are, instead of who you were? Does anyone see it as something to be proud of?

Is it even a choice? This would definitely depend on each persons situation. A christian who converts to Islam, for example, would find it much easier to disassociate themselves from the religion than a person who has lived underneath it for a very long time. What is it like for you?

I have not been a practicing Muslim for a long time. However, I still live within an Islamic family. Most of my friends know me as a Muslim. Very few people know what I truly believe and I find it difficult to open up to anyone about it. My name is Mohamed, so I doubt I will ever be able to truly get rid of the Muslim label. No, I don't have any plans in changing my name, as I am proud of what I have achieved underneath it. My biggest fear of opening up would most probably be hurting my parents, whom I love very much.

InfidelAussieLeb
- awais
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- mulhid taqwa
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Re: Being an ex-muslim
Reply #1 - November 20, 2008, 03:23 PM

Welcome.

Quote from: InfidelAussieLeb on November 20, 2008, 02:38 PM
Would you rather not be an ex-muslim, in the sense that you would rather not be an ex-anything, and instead identify yourself with who you are, instead of who you were? Does anyone see it as something to be proud of?

Yeah, I guess I'm proud of myself. I have a thorough knowledge of the world's second largest religion, so much so, that I've seen through it and no longer believe in it. *shrug*

Quote from: InfidelAussieLeb on November 20, 2008, 02:38 PM
Is it even a choice? This would definitely depend on each persons situation. A christian who converts to Islam, for example, would find it much easier to disassociate themselves from the religion than a person who has lived underneath it for a very long time. What is it like for you?

I converted from 'christianity' (wasn't really big on it), Islam had become a large part of my identity (5+ years) and I find it hard to disassociate from it.

I chose to get circumcised at 17, don't tell me I never believed.
- ladyofshalott
- Cynical dreamer
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- "I am half sick of shadows"
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Re: Being an ex-muslim
Reply #2 - November 20, 2008, 06:12 PM

We have become the new Jews. Islam is something we're born into and can't get rid of. We'll always be Muslims. We're just going to have to resort to being 'non-practising Muslims' or 'Secular Muslims'. That depresses me. What does everyone else think? Can we ever shake of the label, unless we change names and start new lives?

The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts. - Bertrand Russell
- cosmicdancer
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Re: Being an ex-muslim
Reply #3 - November 20, 2008, 07:11 PM

Quote from: InfidelAussieLeb on November 20, 2008, 02:38 PM
Would you rather not be an ex-muslim, in the sense that you would rather not be an ex-anything, and instead identify yourself with who you are, instead of who you were?

First of all welcome!

Secondly - yes I agree completely with what you say - in fact I have said the same thing. I'd rather do without any label.

I consider it only a temporary label that is useful in helping breaking down the taboo of leaving Islam.
- cosmicdancer
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Re: Being an ex-muslim
Reply #4 - November 20, 2008, 07:18 PM

Quote from: ladyofshalott on November 20, 2008, 06:12 PM
We have become the new Jews. Islam is something we're born into and can't get rid of. We'll always be Muslims. We're just going to have to resort to being 'non-practising Muslims' or 'Secular Muslims'. That depresses me. What does everyone else think? Can we ever shake of the label, unless we change names and start new lives?

I know what you mean. As soon as I say my name is Hassan - people assume I am a Muslim (whether they are Muslim or non-Muslim) - unless we are constantly going to tell every stranger our life story then I guess we just have to just get on with it.
- Iggy
- Ex-Muslim
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Re: Being an ex-muslim
Reply #5 - November 21, 2008, 02:07 AM

Quote from: Hassan on November 20, 2008, 07:18 PM
Quote from: ladyofshalott on November 20, 2008, 06:12 PM
We have become the new Jews. Islam is something we're born into and can't get rid of. We'll always be Muslims. We're just going to have to resort to being 'non-practising Muslims' or 'Secular Muslims'. That depresses me. What does everyone else think? Can we ever shake of the label, unless we change names and start new lives?

I know what you mean. As soon as I say my name is Hassan - people assume I am a Muslim (whether they are Muslim or non-Muslim) - unless we are constantly going to tell every stranger our life story then I guess we just have to just get on with it.

I think I'll go with the name change.

"Poor human nature, what horrible crimes have been committed in thy name!"
- Emma Goldman
- Emerald
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Re: Being an ex-muslim
Reply #6 - November 21, 2008, 04:03 AM

Quote from: InfidelAussieLeb on November 20, 2008, 02:38 PM
I would like to introduce myself, and pose a question to you all.

Would you rather not be an ex-muslim, in the sense that you would rather not be an ex-anything, and instead identify yourself with who you are, instead of who you were? Does anyone see it as something to be proud of?

Is it even a choice? This would definitely depend on each persons situation. A christian who converts to Islam, for example, would find it much easier to disassociate themselves from the religion than a person who has lived underneath it for a very long time. What is it like for you?

I have not been a practicing Muslim for a long time. However, I still live within an Islamic family. Most of my friends know me as a Muslim. Very few people know what I truly believe and I find it difficult to open up to anyone about it. My name is Mohamed, so I doubt I will ever be able to truly get rid of the Muslim label. No, I don't have any plans in changing my name, as I am proud of what I have achieved underneath it. My biggest fear of opening up would most probably be hurting my parents, whom I love very much.

(Clicky for piccy!) InfidelAussieLeb

=========

I like the ex-Muslim thingie, I had been a Muslim for abt 24 yrs;

I was a practicing one, I have good knowledge abt Islam, so it ain't wrong to refer to myself as a former follower of Islam.

Welcome man

"I'm Agnostic about God."

Richard Dawkins
==
"If there is a God, it has to be a man; no woman could or would ever fuck things up like this."
George Carlin == "...The so-called moderates are actually the public relations arm of Al-Qaeda and the Islamic Republic of Iran." Maryam Namazie
- whatabastor
- Ex-Muslim
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Re: Being an ex-muslim
Reply #7 - November 22, 2008, 10:10 AM

1st of all, welcome...

2nd, you are who you are, and a name is just a name... people assume a whole lot from the way someone walks or talks or facial features or cultural background and even a family name, who cares...

You are, and always will be, a part of your culture, even if you were not living in it... thats life... if it gives you lemons, make lemonade.
- sojournerlumus
- Pub Regular
- Belief beggars reason.
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Re: Being an ex-muslim
Reply #8 - November 22, 2008, 10:41 AM

Quote from: ladyofshalott on November 20, 2008, 06:12 PM
We have become the new Jews. Islam is something we're born into and can't get rid of. We'll always be Muslims. We're just going to have to resort to being 'non-practising Muslims' or 'Secular Muslims'. That depresses me. What does everyone else think? Can we ever shake of the label, unless we change names and start new lives?

That's a good one. It always seems to have been the rule in my mother's family to 'go with the flow'.
When her half brother was forced to leave Egypt in 1956, he hove to in Aussie, studied, and set up his own accountancy firm. Business was very slack, until he hit on the idea of changing his trading name from Francios
Nasri to Frank Nash. The work flooded in.
If you cling to the past you're going to be overtaken and left spluttering in a cloud of dust. If you adapt to new circumstances you stand the same chance of doing OK as anyone of your adopted situation.
Obviously that was a peculiarity of Aussie in those times and wouldn't be the case today but it illustrates the point. Whatever the problem is NOW, fix it.

Religion is ignorance giftwrapped in lyricism.
- whatabastor
- Ex-Muslim
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Re: Being an ex-muslim
Reply #9 - November 22, 2008, 10:53 AM

Oh yeah, a name is just a name, if your name was Alexander, it does not mean you are a homosexual that is out to conquer the world.
- sojournerlumus
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Re: Being an ex-muslim
Reply #10 - November 22, 2008, 11:04 AM

Quote from: whatabastor on November 22, 2008, 10:53 AM
Oh yeah, a name is just a name, if your name was Alexander, it does not mean you are a homosexual that is out to conquer the world.

Actually, you picked just the very name that polls done in the recent past have put at the top for attaching a perception of power and capabity and trustworthiness. It shares the top spot with Nicholas.
The top female one is Elizabeth.

Religion is ignorance giftwrapped in lyricism.
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