Atheists in India

In India, atheism whispers through bustling bazaars,
a delicate thread barely visible against the vibrant tapestries of faith.

It drifts through family gatherings like a breeze,
rustling saris and flickering oil lamps,
silent amidst fervent prayers and joyful chatter.
A solitary leaf on a river of conversation,
gliding gently to avoid stirring ripples of dissent,
bearing the weight of unspoken beliefs and hidden struggles.

Daily interactions reveal the subtle fracture:
At mealtime, the atheist bows their head,
feigning reverence while their silence contrasts with ritual warmth,
feeling the sting of isolation amidst the clamor of shared faith.
During festivals, they smile and join the colorful processions,
dressed in bright hues, yet feeling like a distant observer,
their role integral but their true self concealed.

In the quiet of the home, while family prayers echo softly,
they retreat to a bookshelf, fingers tracing the spines of hidden truths,
seeking refuge in the solitude of printed words,
wrestling with the weight of concealed beliefs.
Conversations are navigated with care,
steering clear of contentious topics,
balancing the facade of harmony with the strain of internal conflict.

At family debates about faith, their voice is measured,
choosing words to blend into the communal fabric,
hiding their true convictions behind a mask of agreement.
This internal struggle is a constant,
a delicate dance between preserving peace and honoring their own truth,
navigating the space between familial love and personal belief.

As a thread of doubt is woven into the rich tapestry of tradition.
Atheism carves a nuanced space within the intricate weave of family life,
navigating the delicate balance between personal conviction and familial expectations,
seeking harmony while quietly asserting its presence in the daily dance of interaction.

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

It sounds as though in India, atheists are not rejected, but must toe a careful line. In a land renowned for its profound faith, they can observe their truth, but it must be in a respectful way.