My name is Mark Richardson from Seattle. At the start of this war, I got to know Soha Nader. She is a strong and kind person living through unbearable conditions in Gaza. While most people here fight in the name of religion, her story is different. She is an atheist, trying to survive in a place where faith and war go hand in hand. I have stayed in touch with her through these dark times. Her voice deserves to be heard, especially by those who care about human life above religion.
Here is Soha’s message:
My name is Soha. Religion is the reason this war exists. Every bomb that falls, every family that dies, every child buried under rubble happens because people believe in old stories about gods and holy lands. This is not about good and evil. It is about hate, power, and people killing in the name of religion. And as an atheist, it feels like no one cares about people like me.
I have lost everything. My home was destroyed by bombs. Now I live in a tent with 14 family members, including my child, my sick aunt, my elderly mother, and others. Life is a nightmare. A 25 kg bag of flour costs $400 and lasts less than two weeks. Clean water is more expensive than fuel. Simple things like rice, lentils, baby milk, medicine, and even soap have become luxuries we can no longer afford.
People are dying just trying to get one bag of aid. The so-called safe American aid points have been bombed too. I cannot risk my life for a bag of rice.
I do not pray. I do not believe in gods. I believe in people. I believe in kindness and standing by one another because it is the right thing to do, not because a book says so. But here, being an atheist means being truly alone. This war is fought over religion. No one fights for people like me.
That is why I am reaching out to fellow atheists, secular humanists, and anyone who values life over old beliefs. I need your help. Not prayers. Not empty words. Real, simple help. A small donation can buy a bag of flour, clean water, or medicine for my family. Every dollar can mean the difference between life and death.
It is one of the hardest things in the world to watch your family starve, knowing no god is coming, no miracle will happen, and there is no way out.
I hate what religion has done to this place. It poisons hearts, justifies murder, and traps people in endless revenge. While the world argues over whose god is right, we are the ones burying our loved ones.
I do not care about heaven. I do not care about holy lands. I just want my family to survive one more day. Please, stand by us. Even the smallest act of kindness can mean food, water, or medicine for a child. In a world torn apart by faith and hate, you are proof that we do not need gods to be good. We only need to be human and choose to care when it matters most.
To my fellow atheists, humanists, and everyone who believes in the value of life above dogma, please stand by me. Your kindness can keep us alive.
