A Journey to Atheism in Indonesia

An on-going journey to find the truth and justice.

Submitted by Aaron

Photo by Hugo Matilla on Unsplash

I am Aaron, a young man who was raised in Indonesia, a country with a predominantly Muslim population. My parents were very religious and instilled in me the belief that Allah is the one true god. However, my journey of faith took a turn when I discovered new information from being too exposed to the internet that challenged my beliefs. Despite being raised in a devout and traditional family, I sought independence and the freedom to explore my own beliefs. I’m also fluent in English at a very young age, many around me consider this a rare talent for an Indonesian child. This has played a role in my journey of self-discovery as I’m able to talk with other Atheists around the world. I’m still on my journey to find my own path and make my own decisions, free from the influence of my parents’ religious beliefs.

From Devoted Muslim To Apostate

Growing up, I was raised in a Muslim household and community in Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world. My parents were very religious and instilled in me the belief that Islam was the only path to success and happiness. They taught me the daily prayers and the importance of seeking guidance from Allah. As a child, I was gullible and naive about the outside world, so I followed my parents’ example and devoted myself to Islam.

However, as I entered my teenage years, I began to question the teachings of Islam more critically. I learned about the ways in which the religion disadvantaged women, oppressed non-believers, and privileged Muslims over others. These revelations were shocking to me, as they went against my understanding of Islam as a religion of peace and equality.

I began to explore other religions, hoping to find one that was more in line with my values. However, I found that they had similar issues and contradictions. This left me with only one option: atheism. It was a difficult decision, as it meant going against the beliefs of my parents and community. However, I believe that it is important to think critically and question what we are told, rather than blindly accepting dogma.