I wonder if the biggest threat to Islam is the growing movement of vocal ex-Muslims. Of course there has always been Apostasy in Islam, but in a tribal, primitive context it was easy to annihilate the source of this threat -- just kill the apostate. Now however, with globalization and the corresponding technological tools, these dissenters and defectors are given a voice and the ability to share their story. They are no longer simply an apostate that needs to be murdered -- they are complex human beings that after many years of Islamic allegiance, have now come to view their religion as a falsehood. As they increase in number and prominence, will their influence cause a mass exodus from Islam? Perhaps. Although I have learned that when a religion or ideology is attacked, it only causes the adherent to dig their heels in: "Ah! See! Shaitan is attacking us through these vessels of corruption! This is proving that we are the true religion! Stand strong brothers and sisters! Double down in your devotion and zealousness and prove to these pagans and demons that we will not be deceived! Victory is ours in ALLAH!" I think that will be the initial reaction. However, with the passage of time and the exposure to these apostates and the dissemination of information, these apostates will serve to be a stone in the shoe of devout Muslims. They will inadvertently give permission to devout Muslims to question, to doubt, to think critically; and in time Islam will evolve into a more benign religion on a global scale until most Muslims are Muslim in name, and agnostic in heart.
What do you think?
Oh, and here are some resources for Muslims who are interested in listening to and interacting with those they disagree with:
1) https://www.youtube.com/user/abdullahadam/videos
2) https://www.theguardian.com/global/2...n-crisis-faith
3) https://www.amazon.com/Atheist-Musli...atheist+muslim
PS: I didn't read the entire book in the 3rd link, but from what I did read, it seemed like a captivating testimony.
What do you think?
Oh, and here are some resources for Muslims who are interested in listening to and interacting with those they disagree with:
1) https://www.youtube.com/user/abdullahadam/videos
2) https://www.theguardian.com/global/2...n-crisis-faith
3) https://www.amazon.com/Atheist-Musli...atheist+muslim
PS: I didn't read the entire book in the 3rd link, but from what I did read, it seemed like a captivating testimony.
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