Ex-Islam Atheist; from INDONESIA!

[shadowdancer]

Hi All,

I am new here, though not very new in atheism. Unlike other people having introduction with an astounding article or opinion, I can only say, "Hello everybody".

Atheism is like satan here in Indonesia (the biggest muslim country in the world). Well, actually Islam do not make much improvement in the life of people here.

So here I am now. An Atheist, someone that in his own, not seeking help from imaginous super well-being.

Nice to meet you all.


Thank you.

[Asmodean]

Welcome!

Hey, Indonesia can't be THAT bad; at least you have like palms and beaches... All we have here in my 'hood is pines and snow and all other kinds of miserable coldness.

 

[Whitney]

Hi Shadowdancer, welcome to the forum  

[Jolly Sapper]

Hey there.  Hope we don't disappoint.

[MommaSquid]

Welcome to the forum, shadowdancer.  You are a rare find, indeed!

[curiosityandthecat]

A rare find is right!

Welcome to the forum! I've met a number of Indonesians at the university and am considering traveling there and teaching for a bit (not in the near future; ten or so years down the road most likely).

Welcome!

[shadowdancer]

A rare find?
Ouw...

Such kind of endangered species...  

[rlrose328]

Welcome from the Pacific Northwest, USA, where it is miserably bright and sunny.  Yuck.   :banna:

[karnadi]

No no, its not that rare, i'm also an indonesian atheist. I don't know if u are aware of it already, we indonesian atheists have groups in facebook, friendster, multiply, wikisite, and yahoogroups mailing list. I've created some of it myself. Of course it is still very difficult to find an atheist in Indonesia. Most of the non-theists don't have any courage to show themself. But, let me just say, its beginning to change.

Our facebook groups: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=46457772416
Just contact me if you want another information or want to participate.

[Kyuuketsuki]

Of course it is still very difficult to find an atheist in Indonesia. Most of the non-theists don't have any courage to show themself. But, let me just say, its beginning to change.

That's a good thing ... welcome to both you and shadowdancer (though I suspect shadow arrived before I did)

Kyu

[PipeBox]

Welcome to both shadowdancer and karnadi!

Great to see more members.  See you in the other subforums.  

[DennisK]

Welcome!

A friend of mine is Indonesian as well, although not an atheist or muslim.  He's catholic of Chinese descent living in Jakarta and I've never asked him about the tolerance there of other religions or non believers.  Can you give us more insight as to the life of an atheist in Indonesia or life in general there?  I am always interested in other's worldly perspectives.

[karnadi]

I'm also chinese descent, ex-christian protestant, I have a lot of ex-moslems atheists. It seems that Islam is somehow too radical so that it gives enough reason for some moslems to begin questioning their religion. So, many ex-moslem atheists are actually begin their atheism because of their resentment to islam. For others and me, its because of science.

Islam in indonesia is more and more radical in the recent years (2 times Bali Bombing, and other bombs/ violence). Many moslems deny that the perpetrators of the Bali Bombing are moslem and blames US (isn't that surprising), and they of course also blames the US government for other bombs like the Sept 11 WTC Attack. These conspiracy theory frustrates me a lot, I don't have a clue how should I respon to those severely deluded people. They really imagining that the moslems are the victim of the US government, and many radical islam organizations are heroes. Sadly, many moderate moslems began to be influenced by this trend of anti-western spirit. Bush administration is of course makes it worse (by being the common enemy). The second strongest religion in indonesia, christian (about 10% of the population) is also mostly anti-evolution 6000years old earth fundamentalists.

The latest news in Indonesia after the -'Fitna' film motivated- temporary Youtube blocking, there was a radical group called FPI (islamic defender front), that attacks other group AKKBB (the national alliance of religious freedom). And then, just this month, theres an official law to ban any pornography. The pornography in any kind of material (i really mean any, pictures audio video writings animation poetry conversation body movement etc - explicitly mentioned in the law) is banned. Internet blocking is possible. Indonesia is not, and should not be an islam country. But sadly, it is slowly stepping in that direction.

Its of course suicidal to openly declare atheism publicly and create an atheist organization. Thats why Internet is our safe haven. There are many kind of atheists agnostics even liberal buddhists in our virtual community. And, just for information, i just found many atheist groups of malaysia, singapore, phillipines in the net. It seems that anywhere in the world there are atheists, some are hiding in the cloak of religion, waiting to be found.

[rlrose328]

Welcome shadowdancer and karnadi!  Glad to have you on board!  

[karnadi]

Thanks for all your warm welcome. You may found us a little bit too oft on mentioning our country. (is it boring?