Customer Reviews

Why We Left Islam: Former Muslims Speak Out

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

It's a funny thing. When one makes the seemingly straightforward observation that the vast, vast majority of terrorist attacks in the world are perpetrated by Muslims, one is told that one is tiptoeing close to the dreaded "Islamaphobia" line, and that more education about Islam is needed to rectify this backwards view of one of the world's great religions.

Then, something even funnier happens. The more one learns about Islam, the MORE accurate the initial impression becomes. This book, a candid discussion of a religious third rail that most Westerners simply refuse to acknowledge, let along confront, throws into stark relief the burdens and perils of both living under Islam, and having the temerity to dare leave it. One finally sees through the veneer of Westernized language to discover that Islam does indeed offer freedom of religion: you can choose Islam, or you can choose death. Islam truly is a religion of peace - so long as the death of "innocents" is narrowly defined to protect only fellow Muslims and the mere fact of being a kaffir is grounds for summary execution. The list goes on and on.

The 23 accounts in here provide gripping, factual representations of just what it is actual Islam holds for those it engulfs. The fact that it is controversial that this book "dares" even print a picture of Muhammed shows you the depths to which truly free speech has sunk even in our nation (it's also telling that some of Amazon's 'tag suggestions' for this book include 'sad, bias, drivel, polemic' and 'anti-islam'). Understand the "logic" here: this is a truthful book about people's experiences trying to leave Islam, and that alone is considered "anti-Islam". I encourage everyone to read this book to truly educate themselves as to what Islam has in store for all of us.

This is a great book to read and will explain a lot to those who are looking for what really goes on within the Islamic Faith.

My response to the 1st Review written: Apparantley the reveiwer has never been to Malaysia or Indonesia. IT IS ILLEGAL TO CONVERT FROM ISLAM TO ANOTHER RELIGION in those countries. There is not freedom of religion, unless you want to convert from a non-islamic faith to Islam, but not the other way around. There was just a big court case in Malaysia this last year where a Malaysian lady converted to Christianity and wanted her ID card changed to reflect she was no longer Muslim. This was not allowed and she was also fined, denied jobs, and may possibly receive a jail sentance.

Islam is not a religion of peace, but of violence and war. Read about the history of Islam and its slaughter/genocide of Jews in Medina.

Other good books to read if you want to know the truth are: Secrets of the Koran, The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam, and An Inconvient Book.

God Bless.

I got this book as a result of the NY Daily News article and found it both fascinating and shocking. I never realized just how thoroughly Islam dominates the lives of its adherents and those born into it. Women being stoned to death for dating the wrong man, fathers turning their sons into the authorities for the simple crime of questioning long-held beliefs...

It's just unbelievable that such things are happening in the 21st century, and that there are people in Western countries who actually find these abhorrent, barbaric acts justifiable by way of multiculturalism, which is itself a blight and a sham. I can't imagine reading this book and coming away unmoved, and I commend the publisher for the cover art and all it implies.

Why We Left Islam: Former Muslims Speak Out was not what I had expected it to be. The book itself is a collection of first-person accounts from individuals who, in some capacity or another, were previously involved in the Muslim religious community. I expected a comprehensive, globalised, overview of the atrocities perpetuated by Islam the world over; essentially, a macro-view of Islam's role in world politics, coupled with discussion of individual experiences in the religion and ideology.

There are about twenty individual accounts. Some are written better than others; the introductory five are really the most well-written in the entire book. The editing can be a little dodgey, but the overall writing quality is good.

It is necessary to contextualize my review, because my personal politics dictate to me how I feel about this book. As a self-identifying atheist, I am comfortable with directly addressing the uglier aspects of religious and theological thought.

This is very much a book where one finds what one is looking for: individuals who are stringently anti-Islamicization are going to find more fodder for their beliefs, while those who belief Muslims are marginalized will find support for that, too.

Upon its release, Why We Left Islam was regarded as extremely controversial, because all of the testimonies brought forth are less than favorable. Most recount sheer barbarism in the name the religion: excessive misogyny, physical abuse, and sheer terror are all consistently perpetuated upon the writers. Each experience in the book is written by separate individuals, yet they maintain the same themes: subjugation of women, tunnel-visioned ignorance, and blind hatred towards the West.

Thoughtfully approaching this book is absolutely imperative. It is an important book to read, because it presents a different viewpoint than is generally propagated in Western media outlets. There is a lot of difficulty, particularly in our 'free' society, in critically exploring faith (Islam, particularly, in light of the 'touchiness' to its links with global terrorism)

Certainly, the threat to Western values of freedom (of speech, thought, belief, religion, conduct (generally), etc,) are clearly endangered by the influx of Islamic values into Western Europe (and to a lesser extent, America). Much like Pim Fortuyn's politics, "tolerating the intolerant" presents a very dangerous situation. How can European and American countries compromise prized values, in an attempt to 'tolerate' a religion that will not rest until the rest of the world is converted, subjugated, or killed? ...There aren't easy answers to the issues that arise in multicultural societies, and the problems are only going to increase in the coming years.

Notably, too, is that WND (WorldNetDaily) books published this collection of essays. WND is known for being a conservative news site, and they have published numerous other books exploring the 'darker' elements of Islam. The book is critical of Islam, but such criticism is not without merit. Clearly the editors of this book are aware how dangerous it is to promote and release such a title. Similarly-written books about Christianity, Judaism, etc, do not face the violent backlash that this book has driven.

This book consists of articles written by people who have been on both the giving and the receiving end of Islam. Only they can truly describe the inner workings of this unforgiving religion. The authors have relied on several native Islam believers who were brought up in this religion and who witnessed the hate that it espouses. From the stated hypocrisy that women are equal to the unmitigated hate that Muslims carry for non believers, this book describes the personal pain that each author underwent in his/her journey away from hatred and into love.

Some reviewers have labeled this book as a work of neocons and reactionaries. This is untrue. It has nothing to do with American politics and all to do with the dealing of religious hate and the intolerance of freedom. Those who describe this work as politically motivated in favor of the Right are both naive and self deluding for its really a collection of articles covering the subjects of courage under fire and a struggle to escape the demons of intolerance and hate.

We,as Americans, have it easy compared to the 23 individuals in this book. We take for granted our freedom and find it hard to believe that these stories are true. But true they are, and after having read this book you'll want to pass it on to others. They found freedom in leaving Islam and you'll find the truth about it within its pages.

I totally agree with everything in this book. I was born and raised
in Malaysia and see every oppression there is from this so called religion of peace. This is the reason I leave my country for good. It's hard to believe that in this 21st century, this kind of oppression exists. Islam is a cancer to the mind of it's believer. With false hope and promises, it leads it's believer to violence

Eye Opening! I have read many books on Islam. These personal experiences are a must read if you are investigating Islam to join, or just to be informed. IT IS hard to read of woman being treated this way and know it's a way of life and acceptable anywhere. This is the opposite of christianity. Eye Opening!

When women are beaten regularly because the Qur'an tells husbands to do it, Muslims and non-Muslims alike need to speak up and say THIS IS WRONG. Individuals from Muslim backgrounds are still not free to walk away from Islam without threats of being killed. These HARSH REALITIES must become known. Muslim religious dissidents have human rights too.

At least to this point in time, these former Muslims have lived to tell about their lives. Let's devour this book so that "apostates" won't be. Honest Muslims need to admit the truth about their religion, prophet, and book, finding belief in a closer and kinder God. If you genuinely love and value Muslims enough to encourage them to think for themselves, I say, READ THIS BOOK.

Within this book are the bitter stories of decent people who have been culturally chained within oppressive Islamic societies. Included are the hard tales of pain and retribution for Muslims who have asked the wrong questions, for being a Muslim woman who just wants her own life or for being a slightly "progressive" thinker. Also illustrated are the everyday cruelties perpetrated by active Muslims on non-Muslims who are pathetically unaware of their true intentions. "Why We Left Islam" also clearly portrays the conscious scheming of practicing Muslims & how our misunderstanding of their religion combined with our own historical tolerance places us right in the jaws of these theological predators.
The two dozen tragic tales that Susan Crimp and Joel Richardson have courageously compiled breaks the reader's heart and slaps you in the face. The stories bitterly awaken our deep feelings of concern that we have desperately tried to avoid. YES, Islamic nations are that brutal, YES, another culture, another religion, another entire part of the world wishes to end our existence as we know it. These painful testimonials clearly show how committed Muslims will use every rotten measure to cripple, ruin and devastate lives, at home or abroad, to achieve their "Godly" goals.
"Why We Left Islam" also illustrates the concept of "Cultural Terrorism" and how it is being applied in Europe and America.
Read this book and wake up to the truth. Quit denying the obvious. Other books to read are "Bleeding for Allah. Why Islam will Conquer the Free World", "Antichrist :Islam's Awaited Messiah", and "America Alone".

To the 'open minded Christian' who wants both sides: there is no other side under Islam. All other religions are to be destroyed and the world is to submit to Islam. Read the Quran/Koran; study about Mohammad and his little 6 year old bride; hear how he commanded the murder of his opponents; how he commanded and participated in the beheadings of an Entire Town's males (all who showed pubic hair) and enslaved the women and girls; how he condemns to death HOMOSEXUALS, PAGANS, WICCANS, MORMONS, BUDDHISTS, b'HAI, HINDUS...ALL BUT Muslims who will not submit to Alah. To the ignorant who write these one star reviews: read 'Leaving Islam' by Ibn Warraq, 'Sword of the Prophet' by Serge Trifkovic, Spencer, Pipes, Geller, Hirsan Ali, Wafa Sultan.....or better yet: open your eyes and ears to the news from AROUND THE WORLD, EVERY DAY and the murders and rapes and mutilations perpetrated by the followers of this 'prophet' and his false 'god'- as commanded in his Book. See [...]...but it is obvious most of you have no intention of opening your minds...you are part of the problem, and you are enabling the destruction of the Western Civilization. Witness France, Italy, Netherlands, and now Obama as he appeases and 'reaches out' to the Muslim world. Read Mohammad's version of Hell: that is what you invite with your ignorance.