A personal journey of flourishing as a non-believer

As an Iranian, coming out was not easy. I had struggled for almost 8 years before I stated my views on god and religion publicly.

I was born and raised in “Islamic Republic” of Iran, and moved to Australia in 2013. Although I have been an atheist for a few years, I have only recently overcome my inner and outer struggles of being an atheist publicly! So here I am!

All those struggles rooted in my fear of god, hell, damnation and chastisement and the Iranian government, which is the scariest one of course.

The Iranian education system is based on the doctrine of fear of God and his punishment. So schools and media are constantly bombarding people with the pessimistic ideas of Islam.

My deconversion was not an abrupt process. As a child I believed in Allah out of fear. I remember praying for my parents and begging God…