Weronika Lenartowicz, Ph.D., has written a very well researched book entitled Leaving Islam, Ex-Muslims and Zemiology.
Based on interviews conducted in Sweden and Germany, she uncovers a variety of reasons that individuals are exiting Islam and many of the harmful consequences they endure as a result.
Chapters 1 and 2 serve as groundwork for the topic by exploring both the theoretical perspectives of ‘leaving Islam’ and the methodology she used in gathering information and formulating hypotheses through her interviews. An analysis of these reasons and consequences constitutes Chapter 3’s content. The reasons for leaving are outlined in Chapter 4, and the subsequent consequences are dealt with in Chapter 5. The book closes with a summary and conclusions.
Dr. Lenartowicz’s book reads much like a doctoral dissertation and features many notes, citations, an appendix, and a lengthy bibliography.
Without doubt, the potential negative consequences of exiting Islam are made real through the 80 interviews. The reader may wonder, however, what percentage of the thousands of ex-Muslims actually face harmful repercussions, i.e. how representative is this group of 80? Regardless, the author does a sound job of exposing this issue.
Some of the reasons for leaving are found within Islam itself – discrimination, violence, and the religion’s dogmas. Other influences are from the outside, such as political ties and the lure of other faiths, especially Christianity.
Consequences for leaving vary widely, from punishment and social exclusion to peace of mind or a religious conversion.
For readers looking for possible solutions or remedies to the problems presented, they will have to look elsewhere. There is no ‘solutions’ chapter.
Leaving Islam, Ex-Muslims and Zemiology can be purchased from Amazon or Routledge.
Written by Wid Lyman, Ph.D.
