Yafeth Richards is an Assistant Professor of Communication Studies with a specialization in Clinical Psychology—what he calls his “second major, but first love.” For years, he served as lead administrator of the Arab Atheists Network, where he cooperated with tens of scholars and writers to translate and publishe work on Islam and atheism. However, he eventually parted ways with the organization, feeling that many fellow Arab atheists were excessively anti-Islam. In his view, a true atheist should maintain equal distance from all religions.

Between 2012 and 2016, Yafeth was one of the few openly vocal atheists in his country, enduring intense backlash—including death threats in 2013. Yet, in a striking turn, he argues in this book that “religion had nothing to do with the violence ” suggesting instead that such events are better understood through alternative frameworks.

As a scholar, Yafeth’s work lies at the intersection of language, psychology, and cultural critique. He writes with fearless insight into human behavior, delving into the psychological underpinnings of belief, hypocrisy, and the hidden forces that shape morality and identity.