Hi everyone I am exmuslim atheist from Pakistan. And I recently left islam and became an atheist. Now i feel I am very different from my society because everyone around me are extremely religious like if you talk against islam they will cut you head . And they brain wash kids in schools , colleges. Like I am also a student and my teacher talk alot about religion rather then focusing on their subject. I feel isolated and depressed. I hate my country and I want to leave this country as soon as possible. I read books of Richard Dawkins , sam Harris, Lawrence karuss, Stephen Hawking etc and I am very liberal and hardcore atheist but people around me are mostly illiterate monster who kill you if you talk against islam. Richard dawkins, Sam Harris are my inspiration and these people are my heroes but people here are follow a mythical character(allah) and book of an Arabic asshole(prophet Muhammad). People who are born in usa ,Canada or any other western or European country are lucky. Because they have liberal and secular values. I just wish and hope one day I am able to escape this hell.
For safety, are you using a mechanism to mask your IP address?
Welcome y89! I hope you enjoy your time here.
Your descriptions of your conditions and life in Pakistan are disturbing, but not entirely unknown to many of us who have examined the many abhorrent characteristics of not only Islam, but of organized religions in general.
Now that you have become aware of the absurdities of the dominant religion of your country, it indeed will not be a comfortable situation for you to *safely * remain there.
Above all, it is imperative that you recognize the eminent danger that you expose yourself to by any public declaration(s) of your non-belief.
Given the ubiquitousness (prominence) of such a vengeful practice of religion there, leaving may indeed be your best option.
It is obvious how upsetting and undesirable it is to have to leave oneâs home. The truth is that your life is far more important than the locale you choose to occupy for the limited time we have to find contentment and happiness.
I wish you well and I hope you are able to contrive the means with which to âescapeâ .
I am sorry to hear of your situation. Make sure you are using Tor over a VPN (a quality VPN) and do NOT air your views publicly.
Stay safe and talk to us anytime.
First: I want to congratulate you for opening your eyes. Itâs sad that you have to live in such a restrictive culture. Please be careful.
Second: Donât get down on yourself and donât think this depression you feel will last forever. You are in a recovery phase from a major life stressor. You say you became atheist (This is not possible. There is nothing to become. We have no belief system, no dogma, no rituals.) What you have done is drop religion. You have shedded your clothes and now you are standing their naked and wondering what to do. Itâs a metaphore but it is very real. You have shedded everything you were. You have just left it lying on the ground and walked away from it. You have lost your identity, your world view, and everything about the life you once had. ANYONE WOULD FEEL DEPRESSED GOING THROUGH THIS. Give yourself a break.
Give yourself some time to meet new people, make new friends, have new discussions, and build yourself anew. Your depression is a result of the âLoss of Self.â You have literally lost who you once were. That person is gone, and if you actually understand atheism, you are never returning. Why shouldnât you feel depressed.
My advice is to look forward to "Who you want to be. What kind of a person do you want to be absent your religion. There is work to be done here. Do you want to understand the world around you absent the Quaaran? Do you want to see what science really says about things? Do you want to have friends who will listen without judging you according to some 1,600 year old dogma? These things are waiting for you out here in the world. These and more. Look ahead and enjoy yourself. You are free to explore. You just arenât free to share that exploration with most people around you. This happens in America as well when people live in very Christian areas of the country. The main point is⌠Hang in there and as you begin finding your way, your feelings of depression are going to lift.
Have you looked into âRecovering From Religion?â Watch a lot of videos, âThe Atheist Experienceâ is good and I like âCosmic Skeptic.â On the lighter side: âNonstampcollectorâ is great. I can watch these all day long. And then⌠Join us in the fun! But watch out for Tin Men and Skritens.
Yes . I am a cybersecurity researcher.
Even more of a reason to be careful. You are probably being watched more vigorously than the average person if the powers that be know you are computer savvy. Itâs a shame we are all forced to live in Godâs perfect world.
Itâs easy to forget the long fought freedoms we enjoy in some countries. When I hear these tragic testimonies of the barbarous thuggish behaviour of theists, I am always reminded of this quote by the late Christopher Hitchens.
âMany religions now come before us with ingratiating smirks and outspread hands, like an unctuous merchant in a bazaar. They offer consolation and solidarity and uplift, competing as they do in a marketplace. But we have a right to remember how barbarically they behaved when they were strong and were making an offer that people could not refuse.â
Christopher Hitchens
As Moroccan 
in religious family I feel you man even though this country is liberal compared to Pakistan life here is still difficult as an atheist or even as a christian convert