We Need to Talk About Apostasy

This is not an easy subject. We don’t treat this matter lightly or suggest that it isn’t important, emotional, or extremely difficult to navigate. One of the most painful experiences for a person with devout religious convictions is seeing someone leave their religion. It is made all the more painful when it is a friend or family member. This is true of Sunnis and Shi’as but also everybody who is convinced that they know the only true religion. It can feel like shame or a defeat when a friend or loved one chooses some false religion over what we know is right.

However, the response to apostasy so often is more shameful and more defeating.

There is no honour in forcing a person to believe what you believe through bullying, violence, false imprisonment, or having the authorities. Such responses will not bring people to reason. Nor will it endear them to your way of thinking. To the vast majority this is obvious but there’s often no logic, only emotion in responses that seek to punish apostasy. Such behaviour will only push the people you care about further away. Is it compassion or anger that inspires faith and virtue?

It is not easy but we must accept that free citizens will sometimes be inclined to believe something we think or know is wrong or unrighteous. We can seek to persuade them, we can feel sad and frustrated, but we must not take away their freedom to think, decide and live out their beliefs. We must not marginalise them, make up any lies and nonsense that they are mentally ill, or seek to restrict them or harm them. That is what brings shame. Bullying and oppressing minorities and apostates is the business of weak, fearful and godless governments. That is what brings shame. It is not the mark of god-fearing, respectable, honourable citizens. Let’s stand together and change the way we treat people. In the end it’s the only way to a better, more virtuous future.

We are // compatriots. We are // friends. We are // family. We are // diverse. We are // equal.

We are // United.