Read the groundbreaking report released by Ex-Muslims of North America

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Dear Friend,

A critical part of our mission at the Secular Coalition for America ([link removed]) is to increase the visibility of the views, experiences, and lives of nontheist Americans, which is an incredibly diverse group! When meeting with lawmakers, we want to have the most accurate and relevant data possible about our constituents. We often rely on surveys to get this data.

We want to share with you the groundbreaking Apostate Report ([link removed]) , released this past week by one of our 20 member organizations ([link removed]) , Ex-Muslims of North America ([link removed]) (EXMNA). This report is the product of a first-of-its-kind survey of North American ex-Muslims’ experiences before, during, and after leaving Islam.

Working with contracted researchers from George Mason University, they asked nearly 600 ex-Muslim respondents about who they were and who they’ve become; when, why, and how they left their religion; and how apostasy has changed their lives, for better and for worse. What they revealed speaks to the reality of what it means to be ex-Muslim: the joys of freedom, the wounds of rejection, and all that lies in between.
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For too long and too often, ex-Muslims have been overlooked, understudied, and rendered invisible.

“Through our work and advocacy, we have seen the distinct challenges ex-Muslims face first-hand,” said Sarah Haider, Executive Director of EXMNA. “In conducting this survey, we hope to shine light on a population that has for too long and to an unacceptable degree remained invisible.”

As a consequence of this relative lack of attention, where ex-Muslims are not invisible, they are often misunderstood. Islamic religious leaders invoke words like “trauma,” “isolation,” and “misguidance” to explain away defections from the faith. Many Muslims believe that apostates must not truly understand Islam, or that they must be motivated by hidden grudges and resentments.
This report attempts to foster mutual understanding by asking ex-Muslims about these issues directly.

“Ex-Muslims stand at the intersection of half a hundred different narratives. We are villainized by our former religious community and misunderstood by many more. Having worked directly with apostates for years, the mission of portraying their thoughts and experiences honestly is a personal one to us,” said Muhammad Syed, President of EXMNA.

As the “nones” have grown in the general North American population, so have those who have moved on from belief in Islam. As your representative in Washington, DC, we have a responsibility to learn about and build relationships with this community.

You can read the full Apostate Report here ([link removed]) , or just take a look at the key findings here ([link removed]) . Want to know even more? EXMNA also has several articles exploring the results in greater depth here ([link removed]) .
Click to Read the Full Apostate Report ([link removed])

The Secular Coalition for America is grateful to have the support of our member organizations, including Ex-Muslims of North America, who are out there in their communities every day proving that we all can be "good without god". To support our work on behalf of nontheist Americans, please click the “I want to help ([link removed]) ” button below. Every dollar goes to representing you on Capitol Hill, and strengthening the wall of separation between religion and government. With your help, we can make an even greater impact on the causes and communities we care about. Thank you!
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