These deliberations notwithstanding I agree with Sara, if religion and faith works for someone, that is perfectly ok, and nothing to frown upon. In any case, feelings of awe and reverence are part of the human psyche, quite independent from the targets organized religion gave them. When I marvel at the complexity and intricacy of life and evolution these feelings may be similar to those a religious person might have contemplating their god.

I never actually thought there would be that many numbers of atheists here, in the Arab world.
I enjoyed how you, Sara, actually understand what you are talking about and rather than just follow other people’s opinions. I am definitely impressed.
I love this: “I’m a big fan of science. No evidence, no argument.”
And I do agree; some people really are stupid.

Good luck.

may all humanity live in harmony regardless of faith.

I have been an atheist for about 12 years (since I was 10), and never have I had the courage to tell any of my family or close friends.

I remember when I was younger and living with my parents, they would nag me to pray, and I would pretend to pray just to stop the nagging. I would go to the Mosque also to stop the nagging. She is exceptional, because she is an Arab atheist in the open, “in-the-closet” is the norm for atheist Arabs, whether in the Arab world or in the west like me.

Just a final comment, I have studied Abrahamic religions in depth (went to catholic school and learned Islam at home), and I share Sara’s view that it isn’t religion that is bad, it is people who can be good or bad. The reason I am not a Muslim isn’t because I hold any grudge against Islam or its followers; it is simply because I do not find the existence of a deity to be consistent with my logic.

I think (of reading comments), many enjoyed of her speech and found some great headlines to use in an utopia society!

Yeah, the atheism dream: To live and let live! To think about some fundamentals, and to find out if our way of understanding the universe is right or not. To see if religion is useful for our life or not! and at the end: does any god exist or not!

Like Sara, I’ve invited everyone to think about fundamentals of his/her beliefs (check out my weblog for more) and Here again I just wanna say if Sara’s idealogy is interesting for you, then read about it; may be you find your way! (If atheism is fine then take it; if sucks, loose it; there’s no obligations dudes)

I’m not preacher of something; but I think I’m a “free thinker!!!”; and understood that its great to find your way on your own, not inheriting your parents gene of religion!

So move on men!

as well as being rather vocal in my belief that christians, muslims and jews are essentially evil

I’m sorry, but that is just ridiculous.

Even still, I recently discovered the truth of Gnostic christianity, which means I’m really in the threaten minority, as well as being rather vocal in my belief that christians, muslims and jews are essentially evil because they worship the Jehova-Allah-Saklas, Demiurge Abomination. The fruit of Abrahamic faith is war and economic oppression, ie caste systems.

the ban on Islamic Hijab is precisely consistent with and conforming to the principles of a secular regime,

No, the banning of the Hijab is a violation of human rights. Separation of church and state does not mean denying others the rights to practice their religions freely, it just means that the laws given will not be inspired by or based on strict faith.

I am republishing this very important point in her interview which contradicts what you accuse her of:

And if some people independently chose their faith and strongly believe in it, all power to them. It’s still admirable and respectful as long as they don’t shove their beliefs in our faces and make us suffer the unnecessary consequences when we refuse to buy into their myths.

In other words, just because she doesn’t believe in any religions, does not mean that is against them. It is a matter of independent thought. She is not in favor of banning religion, disrespecting religious principles, or denying others the right to practice their belief systems freely as long as they do not inflict harm upon others. What she is against is not religious people but rather the form of society that leaves you no choice but to accept a certain religion, with dire consequences if you don’t.

Secondly, she is aware of the hypocrisies you seem to be highlighting, and she spoke against it quite eloquently here:

That would be a very hypocritical thing for me to do since I’m the way I am mostly because I am anti-collectivism and I hate people who bully others into believing certain things or forcing them to live life a certain way.

This means she is in favor of people making independent choices, and if this choice was wearing the Hijab then it should be respected. As long as it’s not imposed, many atheists actually have no problem with religion if kept between a person and a certain God (the previous Arab atheist I interviewed said the same thing.) They are not in favor of religious oppression or of restricting people from the right to choose from and practice their faith. In Arab societies, just like in Iran, faith is imposed. It does not leave any room for independent thought, in many instances children get punished, traumatized or kicked out of school for speaking out against religion and that is what drives many young people in our region to the world of atheism, agnosticism or outright rejection in all its forms. But neither of the atheists I interviewed have any contempt for religious people and none of them want to control others as you claim, in this recent interview she already expressed her opinion concerning that in the light of independence choices. If you choose your faith and to put a Hijab on your head it’s a matter of practicing your rights to independent thought, which she says is “admirable” and “respectful.” But if faith is imposed or you’re forced to place the Hijab on your head no matter what your personal beliefs are, that is not a healthy society, and quite frankly I agree with that even as a Muslim.

I think your theory is hugely flawed. It is not part of secular ideology to supress anyone, from any religion. It is simply a seperation of ‘Church and State’, where religion no longer plays a role in politics. Something I think that can be very beneficial. A secular society is meant to protect and give freedom to people of any or no religion. Therefore your reasoning which leads you think that the banning of the hijab is automatically accepted by any supporter of a secular government is completely wrong and rather a strange conclusion to reach.

I also disagree that all ’so-called’ Atheists would choose a ’secular-liberal’ government, whatever you may mean by that. Again, I dont think you can reason the way you do. Just because you support a secular system does not inherently mean you must agree with everything that a given govenrment does or a certain people/person may do within that society.

Finally, I dont think anywhere in the interview was there a mention of wanting power.

now, ask so-called Atheists of their favorite government, and that would be a secular-liberal one for sure. then, opposing such acts (french ban on hijab, publishing danish cartoons, etc.) would be the most insincere thing they can do: they inherently support such acts… and you can find very easily what would happen if they assume the power: hypocrisy will be uncovered.