I was brought up as a Muslim, and tried my best to be one but could never go that extra mile and actually be totally convinced by the whole fiesta. I was living in Jordan, in the middle east, and had to act as a Muslim. I could rarely state my true opinions as an Atheist or discuss things like religion, morality, or the existence of god with anyone other than my closest friends who were either extraordinarily open-minded or secular people themselves. Islam is definitely the hardest religion for one to turn their back on, and it\'s stronghold on society, especially Middle Eastern societies. There isn\'t a single aspect of society that Islam does not interfere in, restrict or prohibit. I believe secularism is the answer to most, if not all of the problems in the Middle East especially, and in the world generally.