People act like leaving Islam is about appealing to the west. Like we are betraying our own because we want to please our western overlords.

The colonialists.

Not sure why so few realize how difficult it is. There is nothing to be gained from it except being true to one self. We put ourselves in a position where we are seen as enemies by both, many muslims and non muslims alike.

Bigots don't magically start thinking of us as people just because of a change in an ideological position.

We are still dehumanized for values we hold that aren't in line with stigmatizing all the community we have left behind..

we are still dehumanized because we do hold humanitarian approach to war conflicts and many other reasons.

Not to mention the general indifference we have to put up with from western "liberals" and sometimes even harassment.

Being an ex-muslim isn't something people choose to be because of wanting to appeal to anyone. There is no one to please because there is no real support or protection.

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HannibalAteMeOut · 22-25, F

I've always felt like believing or not is not actually a choice. It's something out of your control. It's your choice to read about religion, some people even try to make themselves believe in something, but it doesn't work like that, it either resonates or not. Most people follow the religion they are born into, but then they say "I chose it, even though my parents and my whole commumity believes in it". No, you chose to live the lifestyle based on it, but you didn't choose your belief. How is that even possible? To wake up one day and say "Oh now I want to appeal to this community so I'm going to reject everything I believe in and accept something else".
If you did that in order to appeal to the west, you would have at least chosen to be christian. But even then, there would still be someone to discriminate against you.

Miram · 31-35, F

@HannibalAteMeOut

I find it offensive when people ask me to become a christian and to consider it the moment they realize I am not a Muslim.

Whether it comes from a good place or not, it still feels like being treated as a goal and as someone to use to feel good about their own position, not someone who is capable of exploring their options alone especially the obvious ones. Christianity is an obvious popular belief at this point.

It is difficult to see believing as a choice, especially when they are so short in knowledge and don't even know most of their religion. They embrace only otherness and nothing else.

If anything it is a pride and ego battle, not faith. You do not want to be made to feel like you are just following whatever everyone else does even if you were.

It's easy, it is safe.

HannibalAteMeOut · 22-25, F

@Miram lack of faith is looked so much down upon, some people refuse to accept we are capable of living well without any religion. At this point it's just marketing for them, oh you are not buying from this company anymore so just come buy from ours. But who told you I needed a product in the first place?