To Sayid*Somal: thank you, you put it very well with your comment - "To you your way of life/relifion, to me mine". I started this thread to interact with others with similar views or the very least have interesting debates with freethinkers. To "Scarface" - do you honestly believe that a person is bound to loose their way in life if they no longer follow the quran strictly? Well I have never drank alcohol, smoke, lie, cheat, hurt another person, etc. I would like to think I live a good moral life based on natural ethics. Let me put a question to you, If HYPOTHETICALLY that there is conclusive evidence that there is no god - would you abondon all your morals, commit murder, rape, cheat, robbery????? Besides no one is perfect, there is equally many examples of other sins committed by people who are religious. The environment we live may not change our core values but it does influence us - the way we think, see the world, opinions etc. To "BiLaal" - I couldnt help but shake my head at you rather long and unnecessary post. You have presumed (from research & vast analytical powers) that I cannot be somali on the basis that I no longer choose to be muslim! And my profile name is SOMALI09 but I choose to use the word somalians to address our people as a whole. I do get corrected about it most times, but to me i just think its neater. I am afraid to say that its actually YOUR understanding of atheism that is flawed. Atheism and Humanism go hand in hand better than Humanism with any religious system. Humanist "dont simply put much faith in god", It actually REJECTS any notion of supernaturalism (i.e God). It is non-theistic and stands for rational freethinking (without someone calling for your death) and ethics based on HUMAN and NATURAL values rather than absolute do's and dont's from the quran. Now we come to the question of faith. I said that I have no problem with faith because everyone has the right to believe in anything or change them - with or without evidence. BUT i added that I personally dont since I am now content with natural evidence and things which are - rather than things which could be! Atheism is NOT a faith because it is an evidence based system which rejects any notion of god because of the LACK"evidence". And thank you for the laugh, perfect way to start my weekend - me an agent of the security forces!! I'm sure you have pictured me hunched over infront of a multi-screen computer inside a dark underground room in an ultra secure facility trying to gouch out fundamentalist - the fate of the nation rests on my shoulders I no longer have a need for Allah, I believe in myself as a human and my own capabilities. and when I die, nothing of my essence will survive - no afterlife! I AM proud of my heritage it has helped to shape who I am but why do people expect that we should all continue to think and behave the same? Any views beyond this and you get the same responses: you lived in the west too long, immoral, lost your way, shaitan has deceived you, you are weak, pray for you...etc....etc. Please! Lastly, to "Mr Somalia" - you stoning me to death or roasting me in a slow fire is a perfect example the "All Merciful and Compassionate".

I am very content with my belief in atheism and do express it openly. And yes, a lot in my family dont like it (putting it mildly) but I can only be me - i dont approve of pretending or lying. YES i am somalian, why is it hard to believe that one can never be anything other than a muslim? I didnt practice it to blend in - it was just expected growing up. I have been in the west for 7 yrs now and to be honest, the environment we live in does affect us or change us. However, I believe my doubts developed long ago, I just couldnt debate/question/eval uate them. It is not against the nature of atheism to flock or join together. Its normal for people of similar views, political ideas, religion, hobbies etc to join together in some form of a group. So why not atheism? It is just a belief in the non-existance of any super natural force. To me, also humanism: ""Humanism is a democratic and ethical life stance, which affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives. It stands for the building of a more humane society through an ethic based on human and other natural values in the spirit of reason and free inquiry through human capabilities" Johnny B: you are correct when you pointed out that "every absurdity has a champion who will defend it". However, i am sure you will agree that what people consider an absurdity differes from one person to another. My views are absurd to many here....and vice versa. I may not like some posts but I respect people right to make them. Its only a discussion, why do I have to refrain my views at certain times of the year? You continue to practice Islam 365 days of the year and i presume openly wherever you are - so why cant I express mine equally? I have always found it curious why religion demands more respect than other types of beliefs - political, moral or ethical..etc??? Why cant we have a discussion without someone calling for my DEATH? See this is one of the reasons why I began to look at the whole notion of allah critically - how can you feel comfortable calling for the death of another human being on the mere diferrence of opinions??? I will reiterate, I have no problem with religion - you believe in what you want and I will do the same. Its a matter of FAITH. I believe in evidence and quite content with natural & scientific explanation. To me a belief in something in the face of invalidating evidence is an illusion.

Hi, I dont intend to offend anyone with my comments and hope that people will reciprocate similar respect. I just wish to have a healthy debate. I naturally grew up with Islam (at home, mosque, madrassa etc - the whole nine yards). But I always had doubts about religion when I was young. I was just to afraid to ask/enquire/voice them. And now as an adult, when I rationally evaluate the Quran, Islam and the whole notion of the existance of God - I find myself to believe that its all an illusion, false and a product of people's imagination. This has led me to become an ATHEIST. Is there anyone here who shares my opinions?