Confessions of a Pakistani Atheist

[rug]

Sunday, February 9, 2014 - 06:00 IST | Agency: DNA
Manisha Pande

A number of young people are denouncing faith and questioning religion in Pakistan, where blasphemy laws can invite life imprisonment and in extreme cases, the death penalty. Manisha Pande speaks to two non-believers who talk of their journey from faith to freedom. Here is their story...

Sara Rehman*
*Name changed

I remember, I finally plucked the courage to come out of my religious closet and admit to being an agnostic on September, 17, 2011. It has been more than two years since. Questioning my faith was one of the toughest things I did in my life. I went into depression but didn’t seek any help. I lost all will to live because I thought I was all alone.

I live in Rawalpindi Cantonment, near Islamabad. Home to Pakistan Army’s General Headquarters, the city is a quintessential military town. All we have here are military units, institutions and housing colonies. And, yes, my dad was in the military. I will be applying for law school this June.

The day I realised I was an agnostic, I searched for the keywords “Pakistani atheists and agnostics” on the internet and found a Facebook group that went by that name. I sent a request to the group and it got accepted after five torturously long days.

http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-confessions-of-a-pakistani-atheist-1960368

[cbayer]

1. Fascinating and relevant to my family situation.

My son-in-law is Pakistani and before he came into the family, I wasn't aware of how strict Pakistan was when it came to religion.

He is a "mild Muslim", imo. He prays if it is convenient, but does not attend a mosque or follow dietary restrictions.

And he married an atheist american (our daughter), which was no easy feat.

He has made quite a push against this wall, but is not an activist and unlikely to take the steps this author has.

[rug]

2. I envy your conversations.