A life without God in Iraq: This 22-year-old atheist has been called the "Baghdad converter"

[rug]

Due to rising levels of violence in Iraq, there's been an increase in the number of young people turning to a life without God. (Image courtesy of islamizationwatch.blogspot.com)

Published February 5th, 2014 - 15:03 GMT via SyndiGate.info

Despite its dangers and taboos in the conflict-ridden nation, some Iraqi youth are turning towards atheism. Mariwan Salihi met a few of them.

One of the Iraqi capital’s most vocal young activists, who uses the pseudonym Omar Al-Baghdadi for his own security, is often described as “Baghdad’s Converter.” His mission, among others, is to enlighten his friends and other young people about atheism.

“I became an atheist at an early age, after I investigated my former religion, Islam, in depth. I discovered that my religion is not the only one that exists on earth; there are more than 1100 other faiths and their followers all claim that their religion tells the absolute truth. So religion is a form of Dogma,” the 22-year old engineer and activist says from his home in one of the major Sunni-inhabited areas of Baghdad.

“My parents know I am an atheist, and so do my friends"

http://www.albawaba.com/editorchoice/iraq-religion-552638

Not only are there atheists in foxholes, there are atheists in war zones.

[LeftishBrit]

1. Best wishes to him!

Iraq isn't an easy or safe place for anyone; and the dangers to an atheist would be particularly great.

[hrmjustin]

2. Wish him the best. Being an atheist in Iraq must be just as dangerous as being a Christian in Iraq.