Lebanon's atheists on losing their religion - BBC News

In a country where your faith defines you from birth, some are taking the rare step of removing their religious designation.

In Lebanon personal piety has declined some 43% over the past decade, indicating less than a quarter of the population now define themselves as religious.

The BBC spoke to two devout atheists in Lebanon about how they moved away from religion, in a country where doing so is considered taboo.

#Atheist #Lebanon #BBC News Arabic

[alexojideagu]

It's insane that Arabs have to hide their identity to be Atheists. Shows what a loving community they come from.

[prashantvicky]

I don't care whether you are an atheist, an agnostic, a theist, a pantheist, a deist, a polytheist, a monotheist, a panentheist, a misotheist, a ditheist or an animist. Just don't force your beliefs onto others. If they are interested in your beliefs, they will voluntarily listen to you, but just don't force your beliefs upon others when they are not interested. Doing otherwise might help you win their body, but not their heart.

[navjeetdhadwal]

Atheism's increasing with rapid speed.

[shamrashid]

I'm a proud Ex-muslim and atheist

[OZZIESPOCK]

Atheist from Australia. Moral support to those who don't have it so easy.

[nour]

A Kuwaiti atheist here, hard for me to tell anyone since i'm a woman and i don't want to be abused again lol, hope Middle East will be a good place for all of us as humans

[MicksA]

I’m a Lebanese ex Catholic Christian who practiced his faith for 35 years. I was at church 4 times a week. I was raped by a priest and when I reported it to the archbishop, he branded me a liar and falsified a letter in my name retracting the ‘allegations’. Seeing the disgusting level he went to kick me while I was down opened my eyes wide. After realising how false religion is, I turned far away. I am happier than ever for it. Religion is a trap that imprisons you. I’m a happy, gay Lebanese man, who believes in himself.

[aravind]

I was once an hardline hindu, now I am an atheist. Thank you Christopher hitchens.

[gymrat]

Atheist from Morocco, glad more people are questioning their beliefs and explore the world from a more neutral and logical way

[noctarin]

i was muslim until i was 11, and i am still hiding it. Ofc now im an atheist

[HiemDaGremlin]

Black atheist here. A minority within a minority 🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️😭😭😭😭😭😂😂😂

[vashna]

Support to my fellow atheists in the Middle East. It can’t be easy.

[khushalkhans]

There are alot of people like mustafa in this world but they can’t admit atheism because of societal pressures. For those of you who come from a more open minded country you have to realise what these people did takes alot of courage

[dilz]

I'm an ex muslim and we all face these issues and thoughts. Brilliant video. Hope they are safe and happy. You lot too :)

[anmar]

Atheist from Iraq/babil 🇮🇶✌🏻
The rate of atheism in Iraq reached 38% and the number is increasing 💪🏻

[homosapien.a]

I'm an ex-muslim and agnostic from Saudi Arabia 🙂💔

[DaniaDraws]

May intellect free the Lebanese!I love his words!

[FH-erus]

Atheist lebanese here❤️🇱🇧🙌🏻..i was born an atheist LOL

[musicguy]

The great awakening. Things will get better in the Middle East once they let go of religions tight grip on everything.

[perthpete]

These are strong people. Most people are just scared. Many people just don't discuss these issues with each other. They are frightened that they will be rejected.