Rejection Of Nonbeliever:
Business As Usual?
Kenneth Ray Whitley
From:
To: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Subject: Kaffir War in South Africa etc.
Date: Monday, April 23, 2001 8:21 PM
Cliff,
I have lived inside two countries where nonbeliever meant very bad tidings upon those found to be from that belief side in their state, country, region or religion. I've considered adding many western countries to that list. One was Saudi Arabia a place where western type tourists aren't allowed and second was South Africa where African borne folk or black people and mixed were called Kaffir's for not believing in the white man's God usually. Kaffir or Quaffer are still an Arabic saying as is Infidel for nonbeliever. Inside Saudi nonbelievers were called infidels for not believing in their Muslim beliefs even if they believed in Christianity. In both countries those within that category were figured below the standard found there in that society.
Of course women in Muslim countries aren't generally allowed to drive cars, have jobs in public or get better education's than men, if at all, and are forced to wear covers over themselves, in most of their countries, to protect them from their own sexuality which men find most entertaining and threatening. Women run the home, sort of in a group fashion, while men run, in debatable terms, everything else, while having many wives, etc., out of the deal. didn't like it that these things were considered (normally without much thought) to be absolute truths with no questions allowed.
But I find it difficult to even admit my belief in public even to my family members here in the USA. So far after I've told them they vanish from my sight nevermore to speak, write, or communicate with me following my admission. I find this rather amusing, but disturbing as well. They at times threaten me as if I had a disease that might rub off or destroy their belief system somehow just by treating me in a human fashion. Is this normal or do you feel my family and or past friendships or lover's who fled me in panic stricken ways are not the usual suspects of atheism? If your busy give me a yes or no simple answer. Thank You.
Regards,
Kenneth Ray Whitley (who's now finally a paying member in your organization. :-)
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