What do you think?
Rate this book
Arabs Without God: Atheism and freedom of belief in the Middle East
In Arab countries, openly declaring a disbelief in God is a shocking and sometimes dangerous thing to do. Many have been imprisoned for it, some have been forced into exile and others threatened with execution.
And yet, in a region where the influence of religion is almost inescapable, growing numbers are claiming a right to believe – or disbelieve – as they see fit. Social media have given them a voice and the uprisings that toppled Arab dictators have emboldened them to speak out.
In this ground-breaking book, journalist Brian Whitaker looks at the factors that lead them to abandon religion and the challenges they pose for governments and societies that claim to be organised according to the will of God.
Brian Whitaker is a former Middle East editor of the Guardian newspaper. He is the author of "What’s Really Wrong with the Middle East" and "Unspeakable Love: Gay and Lesbian Life in the Middle East". He blogs about Arab society and politics at www.al-bab.com
And yet, in a region where the influence of religion is almost inescapable, growing numbers are claiming a right to believe – or disbelieve – as they see fit. Social media have given them a voice and the uprisings that toppled Arab dictators have emboldened them to speak out.
In this ground-breaking book, journalist Brian Whitaker looks at the factors that lead them to abandon religion and the challenges they pose for governments and societies that claim to be organised according to the will of God.
Brian Whitaker is a former Middle East editor of the Guardian newspaper. He is the author of "What’s Really Wrong with the Middle East" and "Unspeakable Love: Gay and Lesbian Life in the Middle East". He blogs about Arab society and politics at www.al-bab.com
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
9 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
About the author
Brian Whitaker
13 books22 followersBrian Whitaker was a journalist for the The Guardian since 1987 and its Middle East editor from 2000-2007. He is currently an editor on the paper's "Comment is free". He also writes articles for Guardian Unlimited, the internet edition of the paper. He runs a personal, non-Guardian-related website, Al-Bab.com, about society and politics in the Arab world.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 21, 2018
what happens when you lose your faith?
in some parts like modern west it is not big deal and everything goes on
in where i live it means at best life of fear and hypocrisy and at worst death by fanatic mob
i live in a country where freedom of belief is a concept most of the people cannot understand so this book is really recommended to any person who cares about freedom of faith
longer review to come
in some parts like modern west it is not big deal and everything goes on
in where i live it means at best life of fear and hypocrisy and at worst death by fanatic mob
i live in a country where freedom of belief is a concept most of the people cannot understand so this book is really recommended to any person who cares about freedom of faith
longer review to come
January 15, 2024
Being an atheist or agnostic in America isn’t easy. Bigotry, religious fanaticism, intolerance, and anti-intellectualism run rampant here and this is a country where the First Amendment is the cornerstone of our Constitution. Being secular-minded in Arab countries in the Middle East and Africa is even more dangerous, being a part of the world where human rights aren’t respected, governments are authoritarian and autocratic, and Islam is the dominant form of cultural expression. In most Arab countries, Christians, Jews, and members of other smaller religions like the Druze, Alawites, and Zoroastrians are regarded as second-class citizens. Muslim sectarian fighting between Sunnis, Shias, and various other denominations is common too. In a region permeated with religious strife, having a rationalistic, scientific, or skeptical outlook can be deadly for so most Arab atheists tend to stay silent or pretend to be religious to avoid persecution. In Arabs Without God, British journalist Brian Whitaker gives an in-depth analysis of the cultural and legal climate of Arab societies and explains what it means to be an atheist in such places.
As the internet penetrates Arab nations, people who had long been silent about their disbelief are coming into contact with others of like mind. Secular Muslims, mostly those who are highly educated and familiar with other cultures, find they aren’t alone and write blogs, discuss their beliefs in chat rooms, and use social media to contact other atheists and agnostics. When the governments and religious authorities learn about this, they crack down hard on free-thinking Arabs. They send atheists to prison, harass them and their families, and, in some cases, forcehem into exile in Europe or America. In many cases, the families and friends of atheists break off contact with them, although some find that they have parents or family members who have kept silent about their skepticism all their lives. In the patriarchal world of Islam, female atheists are in an even bigger bind because women are traditionally expected to be submissive and subservient to men so by coming out as atheists, they risk even more danger and degradation.
This book is divided into two sections. The first is about the history and culture of atheism in Arab nations. Whitaker examines the history of atheism in the Middle East, proving that such skepticism is nothing new in the region. This was the weakest part of the book as he does not provide any real sources of Arabs with arguments in favor of non-belief in God. He does provide some good examples of intellectuals and poets, going back to the dawn of Islam, who expressed doubts about religious belief without actually coming out and saying they disagree with Islam. Whitaker then goes on to examine reasons why Arabs turn to atheism and scientific thought, most of the time a result of listening to Muslims and observing their behavior. Religious leaders have often blamed the West for bringing science and skepticism into Arab countries or otherwise falling back on the old trope that Jews are spreading atheism amongst Muslims to destroy their religion. Yeah, as if Jews have nothing better to do with their lives. Some people have concluded that religion is just silly, hypocritical, and sometimes even dangerous. The whole section ends with a chapter on gender in Arab societes and the suppression of gays and lesbians who often risk imprisonment, violence, and even corporal punishment for coming out as non-heterosexuals. The whole point of this chapter is to show how dangerous it is to be secular in Arab countries.
The second section of this book is more dense and rigorous as it examines legal codes, morality, government autocracy, religious intolerance, and Arab traditions to show how complex Middle Eastern society is. Muslims can be fanatical about proselytizing Islam while often making it illegal to proselytize for any other religion. Conversions to other religions is usually frowned upon and sometimes not even recognized by government officials if it is even allowed at all. Sharia law and government practices are vague, confusing, and arbitrary. The Qur’an and the Hadiths are full of contradictions and outdated rules. Living as a Muslim in a theocratic or autocratic dictatorship requires submission to authority, even when the laws make no sense. If such is the case, then being an atheist, a member of a non-Muslims religion, or even a scientifically minded Muslim can be treacherous. Minorities run the risk of committing the crime of apostasy simply by being themselves and in many Arab countries, apostasy is punishable by death. It is no wonder that many Arab atheists emigrate to more tolerant countries in the West. This second section does not comment much about atheism in and of itself; what it does do successfully is show how complicated it can be to think for yourself in such repressive societies.
The book finally ends with Whitaker making a plea for greater respect for human rights in Arab societies and equality for those who disagree with the dominant modes of thought. Finally, he takes both the Western right and left to task for treating Arabs and Middle Eastern people as monolithic societies. The xenophobic right sees them as nothing but evil incarnate and the left sees them as being angelically perfect beings who can no no wrong. People on both sides do more harm than good by holding such attitudes. Leftist accusations of Islamophobia are extremely damaging because some Arab atheists, as well as some Muslim human rights activists, have been shunned and attacked by the left, using the epithet of Islamophobia to shut down conversations about human rights abuses in Islamic countries. This is inherently racist, preventing people in Arab nations from defending the rights of women, racial minorities, and LGBTQ people by forbidding discussion on these issues in the name of tolerance. These problems can never be solved if people, especially the people who are affected by them, are silenced in the name of tolerating Islam. A lot of Arab atheists immigrate to the West so they can have more safety and freedom of choice, but then find themselves being hated by leftists for not being authentically Arab in their rejection of Islam. Being a marginalized person in any society is not easy, but it is worse when marginalized people get rejected by those who claim to defend marginalized people because they don’t fit into the stereotype they are supposed to inhabit.
Arabs Without God is worth reading because it gives an in-depth look at Arab societies from an alternate point of view, one that you may not get from any other source. Even if you aren’t interested in atheism or agnosticism, it gives another perspective on Arab societies that is unique and provocative. In conclusion, it must be said that Brian Whitaker is not concerned with converting Muslims or people of any other religion to become atheists or abandon their cultures. He clearly states that he has nothing against religious people. What he wants is for people to tolerate atheists and repect their freedom to choose, allowing them right to human dignity that they deserve. If that bothers you then you might be a bigger problem than any secular humanist ever has been. If your belief in religion is so strong then it shouldn’t bother you when others hold opposing beliefs. If it does, then you aren’t as secure in your faith as you think you are.
As the internet penetrates Arab nations, people who had long been silent about their disbelief are coming into contact with others of like mind. Secular Muslims, mostly those who are highly educated and familiar with other cultures, find they aren’t alone and write blogs, discuss their beliefs in chat rooms, and use social media to contact other atheists and agnostics. When the governments and religious authorities learn about this, they crack down hard on free-thinking Arabs. They send atheists to prison, harass them and their families, and, in some cases, forcehem into exile in Europe or America. In many cases, the families and friends of atheists break off contact with them, although some find that they have parents or family members who have kept silent about their skepticism all their lives. In the patriarchal world of Islam, female atheists are in an even bigger bind because women are traditionally expected to be submissive and subservient to men so by coming out as atheists, they risk even more danger and degradation.
This book is divided into two sections. The first is about the history and culture of atheism in Arab nations. Whitaker examines the history of atheism in the Middle East, proving that such skepticism is nothing new in the region. This was the weakest part of the book as he does not provide any real sources of Arabs with arguments in favor of non-belief in God. He does provide some good examples of intellectuals and poets, going back to the dawn of Islam, who expressed doubts about religious belief without actually coming out and saying they disagree with Islam. Whitaker then goes on to examine reasons why Arabs turn to atheism and scientific thought, most of the time a result of listening to Muslims and observing their behavior. Religious leaders have often blamed the West for bringing science and skepticism into Arab countries or otherwise falling back on the old trope that Jews are spreading atheism amongst Muslims to destroy their religion. Yeah, as if Jews have nothing better to do with their lives. Some people have concluded that religion is just silly, hypocritical, and sometimes even dangerous. The whole section ends with a chapter on gender in Arab societes and the suppression of gays and lesbians who often risk imprisonment, violence, and even corporal punishment for coming out as non-heterosexuals. The whole point of this chapter is to show how dangerous it is to be secular in Arab countries.
The second section of this book is more dense and rigorous as it examines legal codes, morality, government autocracy, religious intolerance, and Arab traditions to show how complex Middle Eastern society is. Muslims can be fanatical about proselytizing Islam while often making it illegal to proselytize for any other religion. Conversions to other religions is usually frowned upon and sometimes not even recognized by government officials if it is even allowed at all. Sharia law and government practices are vague, confusing, and arbitrary. The Qur’an and the Hadiths are full of contradictions and outdated rules. Living as a Muslim in a theocratic or autocratic dictatorship requires submission to authority, even when the laws make no sense. If such is the case, then being an atheist, a member of a non-Muslims religion, or even a scientifically minded Muslim can be treacherous. Minorities run the risk of committing the crime of apostasy simply by being themselves and in many Arab countries, apostasy is punishable by death. It is no wonder that many Arab atheists emigrate to more tolerant countries in the West. This second section does not comment much about atheism in and of itself; what it does do successfully is show how complicated it can be to think for yourself in such repressive societies.
The book finally ends with Whitaker making a plea for greater respect for human rights in Arab societies and equality for those who disagree with the dominant modes of thought. Finally, he takes both the Western right and left to task for treating Arabs and Middle Eastern people as monolithic societies. The xenophobic right sees them as nothing but evil incarnate and the left sees them as being angelically perfect beings who can no no wrong. People on both sides do more harm than good by holding such attitudes. Leftist accusations of Islamophobia are extremely damaging because some Arab atheists, as well as some Muslim human rights activists, have been shunned and attacked by the left, using the epithet of Islamophobia to shut down conversations about human rights abuses in Islamic countries. This is inherently racist, preventing people in Arab nations from defending the rights of women, racial minorities, and LGBTQ people by forbidding discussion on these issues in the name of tolerance. These problems can never be solved if people, especially the people who are affected by them, are silenced in the name of tolerating Islam. A lot of Arab atheists immigrate to the West so they can have more safety and freedom of choice, but then find themselves being hated by leftists for not being authentically Arab in their rejection of Islam. Being a marginalized person in any society is not easy, but it is worse when marginalized people get rejected by those who claim to defend marginalized people because they don’t fit into the stereotype they are supposed to inhabit.
Arabs Without God is worth reading because it gives an in-depth look at Arab societies from an alternate point of view, one that you may not get from any other source. Even if you aren’t interested in atheism or agnosticism, it gives another perspective on Arab societies that is unique and provocative. In conclusion, it must be said that Brian Whitaker is not concerned with converting Muslims or people of any other religion to become atheists or abandon their cultures. He clearly states that he has nothing against religious people. What he wants is for people to tolerate atheists and repect their freedom to choose, allowing them right to human dignity that they deserve. If that bothers you then you might be a bigger problem than any secular humanist ever has been. If your belief in religion is so strong then it shouldn’t bother you when others hold opposing beliefs. If it does, then you aren’t as secure in your faith as you think you are.
April 18, 2016
I am in two minds about this book, on the one hand I like it a lot and on the other I find it lacks a lot to be a truly good book.
I like the book because it addresses, head on, a topic that is rarely touched in the Arab world. Atheism exists and I would dare say fairly widely. I have talked to dozen Arab atheists when living in the Middle East and when living abroad and found that the idea is not as remote or absent as an observer from the outside would think. In fact, there were days not far in the past when I could openly not fast or pray and discuss religion and faith issues openly in Damascus and not feel almost anyway excluded or bothered. I was certainly not in the mainstream but still managed to have friends who are believers or even religious. I suspect this is less and less the case as the democratic movements in the Arab world fail or go into bloody conflicts where Islamic elements are more visible.
One of the strengths of the book is that Brian Whitaker talks to many Arab atheists from a variety of backgrounds and countries and shows their point of view. In that sense, it is more of representative opinion of people than a desk study.
Yet another strong point is that he addresses a range of issues surrounding belief and its political and social manifestations in the Arab world.
The week points are also present and apparent. First, unless you knew something about the Arab world and its history, reading Whitaker would give you the impression that atheism has suddenly appeared there out of no where in the past few decades. This is not the case and the book would have benefited from a strong historical background that lists and argues for the existence and influence of doubt and even atheism in different stages of Arab history and across a range of its peoples. Many prominent Islamic era figures were either openly or covertly atheistic like the poet Al Ma'arri, the philosopher Al Razi, and others like Al Warraq and Al Rawandi. The movement was something that existed in different forms and with different manifestations and was sometimes tolerated. For example, one of Al Ma'arri's famous verses is "Two sorts of men on this earth, one with mind (brain) who has no religion and another with religion but no mind"
رجلان أهل الأرض ذو عقل بلا دين وآخر ديّن لا عقل له
Anther issue with the book is that it talks about atheism in the Arab world as a separate phenomena from political oppression and dictatorship to a large extent. While Whitaker mentions some linkages, this should be extended much further.
One more thing which is less of substance and more of form, the book is self published and it suffers the problems of such sort of book. It is not very well edited and has quite a few typos. I know this is not very significant but I suppose it gives a sense of uncertainty when reading it. I would have preferred a better edited version of the book.
Anyhow, I suppose I would do the book injustice if I judged it from the point of view of someone who comes from the very context that the author is talking of. I suppose that this is directed at an external audience less familiar with the context and for those I am certain the book would be of great value as an introduction to the topic.
I like the book because it addresses, head on, a topic that is rarely touched in the Arab world. Atheism exists and I would dare say fairly widely. I have talked to dozen Arab atheists when living in the Middle East and when living abroad and found that the idea is not as remote or absent as an observer from the outside would think. In fact, there were days not far in the past when I could openly not fast or pray and discuss religion and faith issues openly in Damascus and not feel almost anyway excluded or bothered. I was certainly not in the mainstream but still managed to have friends who are believers or even religious. I suspect this is less and less the case as the democratic movements in the Arab world fail or go into bloody conflicts where Islamic elements are more visible.
One of the strengths of the book is that Brian Whitaker talks to many Arab atheists from a variety of backgrounds and countries and shows their point of view. In that sense, it is more of representative opinion of people than a desk study.
Yet another strong point is that he addresses a range of issues surrounding belief and its political and social manifestations in the Arab world.
The week points are also present and apparent. First, unless you knew something about the Arab world and its history, reading Whitaker would give you the impression that atheism has suddenly appeared there out of no where in the past few decades. This is not the case and the book would have benefited from a strong historical background that lists and argues for the existence and influence of doubt and even atheism in different stages of Arab history and across a range of its peoples. Many prominent Islamic era figures were either openly or covertly atheistic like the poet Al Ma'arri, the philosopher Al Razi, and others like Al Warraq and Al Rawandi. The movement was something that existed in different forms and with different manifestations and was sometimes tolerated. For example, one of Al Ma'arri's famous verses is "Two sorts of men on this earth, one with mind (brain) who has no religion and another with religion but no mind"
رجلان أهل الأرض ذو عقل بلا دين وآخر ديّن لا عقل له
Anther issue with the book is that it talks about atheism in the Arab world as a separate phenomena from political oppression and dictatorship to a large extent. While Whitaker mentions some linkages, this should be extended much further.
One more thing which is less of substance and more of form, the book is self published and it suffers the problems of such sort of book. It is not very well edited and has quite a few typos. I know this is not very significant but I suppose it gives a sense of uncertainty when reading it. I would have preferred a better edited version of the book.
Anyhow, I suppose I would do the book injustice if I judged it from the point of view of someone who comes from the very context that the author is talking of. I suppose that this is directed at an external audience less familiar with the context and for those I am certain the book would be of great value as an introduction to the topic.
September 10, 2015
كتاب جيد جدا, يحوي بين دفتيه الحديث عن موضوع شائك و غاية في الغموض في المنطقة العربية و بشكل خاص قبل فترة الربيع العربي. طبعا الملحد المطّلع ستكون معلومات الكتاب في أغلبها مألوفة له, و لكن لشخص يود أن يتعرف أكثر عن الإلحاد و حالة الإلحاد في العالم العربي سيقرأ معلومات شيقة و جديدة, تمتاز بالشهود و المصادر الموثوقة و الإحصائيات من مراكز الإحصاء العالمي و الدراسات. يطرح المؤلف موضوع الإلحاد ليس كدراسة عن الإلحاد و لكن كدراسة عن حالة الإلحاد و الملحدين و حرية العقيدة في المنطقة العربية و الإسلامية بشكل خاص, يبتعد الكتاب عن التحيز لجهة معينة و يمتاز بمعلوماته الشيقة الغير مملة.
يفتح بابا جديدا للفكر في العالم العربي, لذا ينصح به بقوة.
يفتح بابا جديدا للفكر في العالم العربي, لذا ينصح به بقوة.
July 25, 2016
تحميل كتاب عرب بلا رب.. الإلحاد والمعتقد في الشرق الأوسط..
http://kotobm7ramah.com
- مكتبة الكتب المحرمة -
"إن أكثر ما استشهد به الملحدون العرب خلال المقابلات التي أجريت معهم على أن الخطوة الأولى على طريق الإلحاد هو الغياب الواضح للعدالة الإلهية, فالصورة التي تشكلت لديهم كانت صورة إله سريع الغضب, ولا عقلاني أحياناً, وأنه يسلك تقريباً مسلك ديكتاتور عربي, أو رب أسرة محافظ فيتخذ قرارات استبدادية متلهفاً لمعاقبة الناس لأدنى سبب, كما أن الرهيب الذي طالما تكرر في القرآن حول ما سيُحل بغير المؤمنين قد أضفت انطباعاً قوياً عند هؤلاء الأشخاص في مرحلة الطفولة وبشكل واضح."
"يتواجد غير المؤمنين في الشرق الأوسط، مَنْ هم في الخفاء في الغالب، ولك نهم في الفترة الأخيرة
بدأوا بالظهور والإفصاح عن آ ا رئهم مستفيدين من الخدمات التي وفرتها وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي من
جهة، والانتفاضات التي أطاحت بالطغاة العرب، وشجّعتهم على رفع أصواتهم من جهة أخرى .
في البلدان التي يهيمن الدين فيها على معظم جوانب الحياة اليومية، يسبّبُ التحدي العلني للإيم��ن والديْن
صدم ة للأسرة والمجتمع وحتى للحكومات، وقد تَع رضَ العديد ممن أقدموا على هذا التحدي للاعتقال
لمجرد البوح بأفكارهم، واضطُ ر آخرون للعيش في المنفى، ناهيك عن تلقي بعضهم تهديداتٍّ بالإعدام،
ولذلك يُفضّل غالبية هؤلاء عدمَ البوح بمعتقداتهم والتعبيرَ عنها خوف ا من ردود أفعال الأسرة والأصدقاء
وأرباب العمل."
كتاب براين ويتاكر (عرب بلا رب.. الإلحاد والمعتقد في الشرق الأوسط) هو كتاب فريد من نوعه, حيث يسلط الضوء على بقعة محرمة على الباحثين, فنراه يدخل في نقاشات مع ملحدين ولا أدريين عرب ويستعرض أسباب إلحادهم وتغيير معتقداتهم والصعوبات التي لاقوها في ذلك, ويقوم بتحليل الأسباب الداعية لترك المعتقدات في الشرق الأوسط بجرأة غير مسبوقة في هذا الموضوع الشائك. والجميل في هذه الدراسة أنها دراسة حديثة استعرضت أراء وشخصيات معاصرة لعالمنا بالإضافة إلى تأثير مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي في هذا الخصوص. ولم تكتفي الدراسة باستعراض ما كتب وقيل عن الزنادقة والملحدين من المفكرين والأدباء ذوو الخلفية الإسلامية في العصور الوسطى كامثال ابن الرواندي وابن المقفع وأبوبكر الرازي كحال الدراسات والكتب السابقة التي تناولت موضوع الألحاد والمعتقدات. وبالرغم من ركاكة الترجمة والأخطاء في ترجمة أسماء بعض الكتاب العرب, إلا أن ذلك لا ينفي عنها صفة الدارسة الجديرة بالقراءة والتأمل.
http://kotobm7ramah.com
- مكتبة الكتب المحرمة -
"إن أكثر ما استشهد به الملحدون العرب خلال المقابلات التي أجريت معهم على أن الخطوة الأولى على طريق الإلحاد هو الغياب الواضح للعدالة الإلهية, فالصورة التي تشكلت لديهم كانت صورة إله سريع الغضب, ولا عقلاني أحياناً, وأنه يسلك تقريباً مسلك ديكتاتور عربي, أو رب أسرة محافظ فيتخذ قرارات استبدادية متلهفاً لمعاقبة الناس لأدنى سبب, كما أن الرهيب الذي طالما تكرر في القرآن حول ما سيُحل بغير المؤمنين قد أضفت انطباعاً قوياً عند هؤلاء الأشخاص في مرحلة الطفولة وبشكل واضح."
"يتواجد غير المؤمنين في الشرق الأوسط، مَنْ هم في الخفاء في الغالب، ولك نهم في الفترة الأخيرة
بدأوا بالظهور والإفصاح عن آ ا رئهم مستفيدين من الخدمات التي وفرتها وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي من
جهة، والانتفاضات التي أطاحت بالطغاة العرب، وشجّعتهم على رفع أصواتهم من جهة أخرى .
في البلدان التي يهيمن الدين فيها على معظم جوانب الحياة اليومية، يسبّبُ التحدي العلني للإيم��ن والديْن
صدم ة للأسرة والمجتمع وحتى للحكومات، وقد تَع رضَ العديد ممن أقدموا على هذا التحدي للاعتقال
لمجرد البوح بأفكارهم، واضطُ ر آخرون للعيش في المنفى، ناهيك عن تلقي بعضهم تهديداتٍّ بالإعدام،
ولذلك يُفضّل غالبية هؤلاء عدمَ البوح بمعتقداتهم والتعبيرَ عنها خوف ا من ردود أفعال الأسرة والأصدقاء
وأرباب العمل."
كتاب براين ويتاكر (عرب بلا رب.. الإلحاد والمعتقد في الشرق الأوسط) هو كتاب فريد من نوعه, حيث يسلط الضوء على بقعة محرمة على الباحثين, فنراه يدخل في نقاشات مع ملحدين ولا أدريين عرب ويستعرض أسباب إلحادهم وتغيير معتقداتهم والصعوبات التي لاقوها في ذلك, ويقوم بتحليل الأسباب الداعية لترك المعتقدات في الشرق الأوسط بجرأة غير مسبوقة في هذا الموضوع الشائك. والجميل في هذه الدراسة أنها دراسة حديثة استعرضت أراء وشخصيات معاصرة لعالمنا بالإضافة إلى تأثير مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي في هذا الخصوص. ولم تكتفي الدراسة باستعراض ما كتب وقيل عن الزنادقة والملحدين من المفكرين والأدباء ذوو الخلفية الإسلامية في العصور الوسطى كامثال ابن الرواندي وابن المقفع وأبوبكر الرازي كحال الدراسات والكتب السابقة التي تناولت موضوع الألحاد والمعتقدات. وبالرغم من ركاكة الترجمة والأخطاء في ترجمة أسماء بعض الكتاب العرب, إلا أن ذلك لا ينفي عنها صفة الدارسة الجديرة بالقراءة والتأمل.
March 2, 2015
Here is a book that's very diagnostic of the situation of disbelief in the Arab world, especially after the so-called "Arab spring" which has caused a huge social shift. It didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, so it's probably a better read for someone living away from the region and wanting to know more about the status of religion and disbelief in this part of the world.
July 18, 2016
A must-read book. The author gives a very articulated and rich-detailed text. The book is a neutral vision to the freedom of belief in the Middle East from all of its sides. Everyone who's interested in atheism and religion in ME, should read this book.
December 2, 2014
Atheism in Arabia, or at least it's attribution, is not new. From very early in Islamic theological consecution there have been works incorporating lengthy refutations of mostly unnamed heretics who rejected religious theory around God as stated in holy scriptures.
It might be argued that the religious establishment from its primeval days has had a problem with apostasy. Thereafter anybody seen deviating from the formal line has been treated with misery and disdain. This kept doubters throughout the ages tight lipped not to endanger themselves nor their loved ones.
Social media has brought to the fore people who had kept their lack of faith hidden for decades allowing them to exchange views and experiences with others along the expanse of the Arab world. Books printed by progressive Arab thinkers in a more enlightened stage of the twentieth century criticising traditionalist sentiment on life has been made widely available over the internet.
The advent of online networks has acted to give voice to Arab skeptics and increase their influence, enabling the translation of modern works by vocal atheists such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Daniel Dennett and others.
The failure of the religious establishment so far to sway the increasing number of apostates from amongst its flock has come as distressing surprise. The self delusion until now has been that atheists are either possessed by the devil or an immoral fifth column paid for by foreign intelligence agencies. Yet recent online discourse has shown that contradictory messages by religious scholars and unsatisfactory rebuttals of modern scientific discoveries seem to be emboldening the skeptic trend.
Instead of showing respect to people's freedom to believe and accepting that progressive societies are diverse in their very nature, religious authorities and politicians, even those who proclaim to be secular, hold that skepticism must be combated and ultimately eradicated.
Until now, most books on this subject in Arabic have been tackling atheism as a menace that must be fixed. "Arabs without God" by Brian Whitaker, however, takes a balanced assessment of the ascent of atheism in the Arab World and the reaction of the religious establishment and broader society as a whole. Well worth being translated into Arabic to add food for thought in this ongoing intellectual odyssey.
It might be argued that the religious establishment from its primeval days has had a problem with apostasy. Thereafter anybody seen deviating from the formal line has been treated with misery and disdain. This kept doubters throughout the ages tight lipped not to endanger themselves nor their loved ones.
Social media has brought to the fore people who had kept their lack of faith hidden for decades allowing them to exchange views and experiences with others along the expanse of the Arab world. Books printed by progressive Arab thinkers in a more enlightened stage of the twentieth century criticising traditionalist sentiment on life has been made widely available over the internet.
The advent of online networks has acted to give voice to Arab skeptics and increase their influence, enabling the translation of modern works by vocal atheists such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Daniel Dennett and others.
The failure of the religious establishment so far to sway the increasing number of apostates from amongst its flock has come as distressing surprise. The self delusion until now has been that atheists are either possessed by the devil or an immoral fifth column paid for by foreign intelligence agencies. Yet recent online discourse has shown that contradictory messages by religious scholars and unsatisfactory rebuttals of modern scientific discoveries seem to be emboldening the skeptic trend.
Instead of showing respect to people's freedom to believe and accepting that progressive societies are diverse in their very nature, religious authorities and politicians, even those who proclaim to be secular, hold that skepticism must be combated and ultimately eradicated.
Until now, most books on this subject in Arabic have been tackling atheism as a menace that must be fixed. "Arabs without God" by Brian Whitaker, however, takes a balanced assessment of the ascent of atheism in the Arab World and the reaction of the religious establishment and broader society as a whole. Well worth being translated into Arabic to add food for thought in this ongoing intellectual odyssey.
November 7, 2018
لا اعتقد ان مأساة العرب ستنتهي ، هذا الجهل والتخلف والإنحطاط لن ينتهي .. اعتقد ان الأمر اشبه بلعنه أبدية ، لا اشعر بأدنى أمل في اي تغيير للأفضل ، انا اسفه من اجل كل الذين عانوا ويعانون بسبب اختلافهم عن هذه المجتمعات الغبيه . الكتاب نوعا ما كان مملا في الطرح. شعرت بالإنزعاج لطرح بعض الأمور السخيفة التي بدت كدفاع وتستطح لما يعانيه اللادينيين ، فما يعانون منه واضح وما تحدثوا عنه واضح فلا مبرر لذكر تلك الترهات للتقليل من شأن ما تحدثوا عنه
June 9, 2017
حرية الرأي والمعتقد ... متى؟
June 18, 2017
Engaging and thoroughly researched. Offers compelling insights into an often overlooked topic.
September 7, 2015
عن اللادينيين أو الملحدين العرب وما يواجهون من تهديدات وتحديات يومية في المجتمعات الإسلامية، في معلوماته أعتمد الكاتب على حوارات أجراها مع أشخاص بعضهم بأسماء مستعارة من مختلف الدول اضافة إلى شخصيات لا دينية أو ربوبية أو علمانية واجهت القتل والإقصاء والنفي إلى بلدان أخرى
يتطرق أيضاً إلى دساتير الدول العربية وعلاقتها الوطيدة بالايدولوجية السائدة وطريقتها المثيرة للشفقة بالربط بين النظام العالمي لحقوق الإنسان والشريعة الإسلامية
تخيل ممكن انك تسجن وتدفع غرامة تقدر 2000 دولار فقط لأنك لا تؤمن بدين المجتمع السائد أو لا تؤمن "بسانتا كلاوز" =D
أو تجبر على أن تترك زوجتك وتسقط عنك جميع الحقوق المدنية "ميت مدنياً" فقط لأنك تفكر بطريقة مختلفة
أو تكتب عمل أدبي يساء فهمه من العامة الذين هم أصلاً لا يفتحون الكتاب لكن بتحريض من جماعات اسلامية "مسالمة طبعاً" تفاجأ بالطعن بالسكين ثم بالشلل النصفي
أو تتحدث عن العلمانية واحترام حقوق الأقليات ليتم تكفيرك من الإخوان المسلمين وتأتي طلقات الرصاص لتقبل جبينك من شخص لا يقرأ ولا يكتب.. وغيرها وغيرها...
الكتاب برأيي موجه للأشخاص غير متابعين لما يجري من تطورات ميدانية في الشرق الأوسط.
يتطرق أيضاً إلى دساتير الدول العربية وعلاقتها الوطيدة بالايدولوجية السائدة وطريقتها المثيرة للشفقة بالربط بين النظام العالمي لحقوق الإنسان والشريعة الإسلامية
تخيل ممكن انك تسجن وتدفع غرامة تقدر 2000 دولار فقط لأنك لا تؤمن بدين المجتمع السائد أو لا تؤمن "بسانتا كلاوز" =D
أو تجبر على أن تترك زوجتك وتسقط عنك جميع الحقوق المدنية "ميت مدنياً" فقط لأنك تفكر بطريقة مختلفة
أو تكتب عمل أدبي يساء فهمه من العامة الذين هم أصلاً لا يفتحون الكتاب لكن بتحريض من جماعات اسلامية "مسالمة طبعاً" تفاجأ بالطعن بالسكين ثم بالشلل النصفي
أو تتحدث عن العلمانية واحترام حقوق الأقليات ليتم تكفيرك من الإخوان المسلمين وتأتي طلقات الرصاص لتقبل جبينك من شخص لا يقرأ ولا يكتب.. وغيرها وغيرها...
الكتاب برأيي موجه للأشخاص غير متابعين لما يجري من تطورات ميدانية في الشرق الأوسط.
September 20, 2014
The author did a great job in compiling facts and information gathered by interviewing many atheists in Arab countries.
He also did a good job in highlighting the media coverage and Arab regimes use of the non-belief discourse for their own political gain.
He presented also some good survey results about percentage of people who consider themselves non-religious and atheists in Arab countries and the west alike; the results would make you reconsider the myth that a religious authoritarian regime would protect the religion and prevent the spread of non-belief thoughts.
This book is for believers and non-believers alike who want an in-depth discussion about the subject . It is not a book for anyone who is considering his faith and belief. I enjoyed reading the book immensely. It challenged many things I believed about the case of atheism in Arab word !
He also did a good job in highlighting the media coverage and Arab regimes use of the non-belief discourse for their own political gain.
He presented also some good survey results about percentage of people who consider themselves non-religious and atheists in Arab countries and the west alike; the results would make you reconsider the myth that a religious authoritarian regime would protect the religion and prevent the spread of non-belief thoughts.
This book is for believers and non-believers alike who want an in-depth discussion about the subject . It is not a book for anyone who is considering his faith and belief. I enjoyed reading the book immensely. It challenged many things I believed about the case of atheism in Arab word !
November 12, 2014
One of the first books that deals with the issue of non-belief in the modern Arab World. Non-belief is an issue for both traditionalist believers, who generally see it as a moral and psychological problem, and non-religious people, who sometimes see themselves ostracized and their lives threatened as Arab societies are traditionally religious and see disbelief as a sin to be punished. Although it is not possible to know exactly how many people in Arab countries have recently turned to non-belief, and if their number has been increasing in comparison with the past, what we know thanks to this book is that a number of them is trying to make their voices and demands be heard, especially through the Internet. However, it is hard to predict that society in the Arab world will start becoming more tolerant towards them in the foreseeable future.
March 1, 2015
Such a good book. I would recommend this not only to those interested in the role of religion in the Middle East but also those trying to understand the Middle East. This is because it goes to the heart of how individuals have to discipline themselves so as to hide what is essentially personal conviction or lack thereof. Whitaker does such a good job in combining history, politics with everyday individual experiences of being an atheist in the Middle East.
I really enjoyed and recommened it to both non-believers as well as believers, especially believers in the Middle East as it can open their eyes to something that they either think is non-existent or which they have never really come across.
I really enjoyed and recommened it to both non-believers as well as believers, especially believers in the Middle East as it can open their eyes to something that they either think is non-existent or which they have never really come across.
October 31, 2017
How does it feel to disbelieve in God in a society where everybody unanimously agrees on the role it plays in their life? The Middle East, being the birthplace of the major monotheistic religions, is homogeneous to Islam. The Western societies paint all Arabs as Muslims, at least not to Brian Whitaker who challenges this overgeneralization in Arabs Without God. Despite the huge number of sects and off-shoots, there emerges those who do not believe in god.
At first glance, you might think that the strand of Arabs, atheists, are being the typical deniers and rebellious of their surroundings. However, atheists interviewed in this book raise concerns about freedom of speech, freedom of religions, for religions and from religions. Secularism is a term found in the same discourse with belief. Whether you agree or disagree with Arab atheists' arguments, it is a different matter in light of the real concern, that is secularizing the Middle East, where the religion is an affair of the individual, not the public.
Whitaker does a good job of putting things in context; for instance, with the shocking statistics of the booming atheism in places like Egypt, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Moreover, providing samples of this data in the form of interviews gives the work credibility.
What I felt however is the originality of the information being presented. Don't get me wrong, I think he did a tremendous job roaming the Middle East collecting the information. Being an Arab and from the same culture, there was nothing new for me. I already know the premise of the book, what to expect and even the arguments atheists voiced out.
In no way should it take the amazing work Whitaker put here, this book is highly recommended for a Western audience. It can definitely familiarize them with Arabs without God and the importance of belief in the 21st-century Middle East.
At first glance, you might think that the strand of Arabs, atheists, are being the typical deniers and rebellious of their surroundings. However, atheists interviewed in this book raise concerns about freedom of speech, freedom of religions, for religions and from religions. Secularism is a term found in the same discourse with belief. Whether you agree or disagree with Arab atheists' arguments, it is a different matter in light of the real concern, that is secularizing the Middle East, where the religion is an affair of the individual, not the public.
Whitaker does a good job of putting things in context; for instance, with the shocking statistics of the booming atheism in places like Egypt, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Moreover, providing samples of this data in the form of interviews gives the work credibility.
What I felt however is the originality of the information being presented. Don't get me wrong, I think he did a tremendous job roaming the Middle East collecting the information. Being an Arab and from the same culture, there was nothing new for me. I already know the premise of the book, what to expect and even the arguments atheists voiced out.
In no way should it take the amazing work Whitaker put here, this book is highly recommended for a Western audience. It can definitely familiarize them with Arabs without God and the importance of belief in the 21st-century Middle East.
January 23, 2025
Pochi scrittori e giornalisti occidentali conoscono tanto a fondo e da così tanto, il mondo arabo come Brian Whitaker. Il suo blog al-bab.com è una vera biblioteca delle più svariate tematiche e Whitaker si è sempre mostrato dalla parte dei popoli, ascoltando la gente in prima persona..
Parlare di ateismo nel mondo arabo (zona oriente prossimo e nord Africa) non è cosa da poco, ascoltare le persone, capire come giri la bussola dei governi su una tematica tanto delicata richiede pazienza e ricerca. E rispetto. Whitaker si giostra benissimo, con tanto di fonti verificate e una conoscenza certosina della storia.
Questo è un libro necessario e quanto mai contemporaneo in una società che sta cambiando velocemente anche grazie a internet.
Parlare di ateismo nel mondo arabo (zona oriente prossimo e nord Africa) non è cosa da poco, ascoltare le persone, capire come giri la bussola dei governi su una tematica tanto delicata richiede pazienza e ricerca. E rispetto. Whitaker si giostra benissimo, con tanto di fonti verificate e una conoscenza certosina della storia.
Questo è un libro necessario e quanto mai contemporaneo in una società che sta cambiando velocemente anche grazie a internet.
November 19, 2018
Disamina interessante sul fenomeno dell'ateismo e del libero pensiero nel Medio Oriente.
Se estrapoliamo l'estremismo sia della popolazione che sociale e politico possiamo traslare facilmente l'islamismo in cristianesimo e il Medio Oriente nell'Italia, tranne gli estremi di prigonia e tortura.
Vero che il cristianesimo è stato molto più "illuminato" dell'Islam, ma per molte cose è simile.
Se estrapoliamo l'estremismo sia della popolazione che sociale e politico possiamo traslare facilmente l'islamismo in cristianesimo e il Medio Oriente nell'Italia, tranne gli estremi di prigonia e tortura.
Vero che il cristianesimo è stato molto più "illuminato" dell'Islam, ma per molte cose è simile.
April 2, 2021
كنت أظن أن فكرة الكتاب ستقوم على دحض الأديان والترويج للإلحاد.
لكن الكتاب يعطي فكرة عامة عن وضع الإلحاد والمسلمين بالشرق الأوسط ويسلط الضوء على المشاكل التي يواجهها الملحد أو اللاديني.
المعلومات المذكورة متطابقة تماماً للواقع الحالي، نعايشها يومياً إما في الحياة الواقعية أو نراها جلية في السوشال ميديا.
*نسخة عربية
لكن الكتاب يعطي فكرة عامة عن وضع الإلحاد والمسلمين بالشرق الأوسط ويسلط الضوء على المشاكل التي يواجهها الملحد أو اللاديني.
المعلومات المذكورة متطابقة تماماً للواقع الحالي، نعايشها يومياً إما في الحياة الواقعية أو نراها جلية في السوشال ميديا.
*نسخة عربية
October 12, 2016
I've learned more about religion and political religion in the Middle east region. Some facts were sad but unfortunately true.
June 7, 2016
I am reviewing the Arabic edition and I find this book to be resourceful and provides interesting facts and up to date statistics on the issue of Atheism in the Arab World today. I enjoy reading it being an Arab from the MENA region and also having a personal interest in atheism, the collection of personal experiences, perspectives and portrays of atheists from different Arab states is very useful along with the writer narration and the developments of the stories . each chapter adds a new piece to the puzzle and the image by the end of the book. one star is missing because in my opinion the story of the 1985 execution of the Islamic thinker Mahmoud Mohamed Taha in Sudan would be a great contribution to the reflection on the political/social dilemma exists in the Arab states today. this book would make a great documentary film.
قرأت النسخة العربية للكتاب ووجدتها جيدة جداً و تحتوى على مجموعة من الحقائق المهمة و احصاءات حديثة عن موضوع الالحاد ، وقرائته ممتعة ايضا خاصة للقراء امثالي الذين ينتمون للشرق الاوسط و افريقيا و لديهم فضول و اهتمامات للتعرف على الالحاد ووضع الحريات الدينية في المنطقة ، يحتوي هذا الكتاب على تجارب حياتية ترويها عدد من الشخصيات بالاضافة الى سرد الكاتب وهذه الطريقة الشبيهة بالفلم الوثائقي في الكتابة تجذب القارئ وتشده للمتابعة و مع كل فصل جديد تتكون صورة عن حياة الشخصيات و السياقات التاريخية السياسية و الدينية في مناطقهم و الظروف الخاصة المحيطة بهم التي تساهم جميعها في تكوين صورة أشمل بنهاية الكتاب . في رأيي لو قام الكاتب باضافة واحدة من اهم المحاكمات الدينية السياسية في المنطقة و هي اعدام المفكر محمود محمد طه بعام 1985 في السودان في عمر تجاوز السبعين .. والتي تشكل مثالا بارزا للمآزق الدينية السياسية التي تمر بها الدول العربية في العصر الحالي
قرأت النسخة العربية للكتاب ووجدتها جيدة جداً و تحتوى على مجموعة من الحقائق المهمة و احصاءات حديثة عن موضوع الالحاد ، وقرائته ممتعة ايضا خاصة للقراء امثالي الذين ينتمون للشرق الاوسط و افريقيا و لديهم فضول و اهتمامات للتعرف على الالحاد ووضع الحريات الدينية في المنطقة ، يحتوي هذا الكتاب على تجارب حياتية ترويها عدد من الشخصيات بالاضافة الى سرد الكاتب وهذه الطريقة الشبيهة بالفلم الوثائقي في الكتابة تجذب القارئ وتشده للمتابعة و مع كل فصل جديد تتكون صورة عن حياة الشخصيات و السياقات التاريخية السياسية و الدينية في مناطقهم و الظروف الخاصة المحيطة بهم التي تساهم جميعها في تكوين صورة أشمل بنهاية الكتاب . في رأيي لو قام الكاتب باضافة واحدة من اهم المحاكمات الدينية السياسية في المنطقة و هي اعدام المفكر محمود محمد طه بعام 1985 في السودان في عمر تجاوز السبعين .. والتي تشكل مثالا بارزا للمآزق الدينية السياسية التي تمر بها الدول العربية في العصر الحالي
September 9, 2025
"Arabs Without God" is a courageous and fearless work.
Whitaker stands out as a true ally of Arab atheists and secularists in their struggle for freedom of thought.
What makes his voice both balanced and credible among Western writers is his refusal to fall into the Orientalist and Islamophobic tropes that so often distort the discourse.
Whitaker stands out as a true ally of Arab atheists and secularists in their struggle for freedom of thought.
What makes his voice both balanced and credible among Western writers is his refusal to fall into the Orientalist and Islamophobic tropes that so often distort the discourse.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews