Questions from a Bangladeshi ex-Muslim

Hi guys! I’ll start with a little bit of background about me. I’m a Bangladeshi ex-Muslim. I’m also trans. Grew up in the states, went to normal school and but also received my fair share of Islamic education. Grew up in a generally conservative family, my mom being a lot more conservative and religious than my dad. But I’ve had my fair share of knowledge and experience with Islam.

I did want to ask yall what it’s like being an ex-Muslim Indian, bc as yall know Bangladesh is an overwhelmingly Muslim country and most of us have to stay extremely hush hush and agree with the majority if we want to be in peace. How do the dynamics work in India since I assume it to be a more cosmopolitan society filled with many different groups of people.

Another question I have is, what are your views on the dharmic belief systems. Growing up Bengali, I did have a sense of longing and jealousy towards the Hindu Bengalis due to how unapologetic and proudly they get to display their Bengali culture. Nowadays it sees Bangladesh is refining itself to distance itself from its roots, which tbh are rooted in Hinduism, in favor of a global “Muslim” image to fit in with the ummah.

Also for the longest time ever since I was a kid I always had a vast infatuation with Hinduism. I used to watch all the animated cartoons lol, read my fair share of the vedas, ours as, etc. But I always felt like Hinduism was a more pluralistic inclusive ideology towards different belief systems and people. Especially when it comes to being trans, I never felt the shame that I was made to feel within Islamic circles, in a mandir for example. Especially since Bengal is shakti-dominated where the goddesses reign supreme But I do tend to believe that Hinduism can get dogmatic really quick with an inherent power imbalance and caste hierarchy , maybe I have a sunshine and rainbows idea of what it can be like that’s not an accurate reflection of its practice in reality, due to it being a minority in bd.

Also I think philosophically, Bhuddism is more aligned with my belief systems. In terms of a non-diestic ideology, based upon principles more than dogma. So I just wanted to have a conversation and ask yall, do the dharmic philosophies present themselves as more digestible than Islam does? I mean considering the fact that one can be an atheist, agnostic, monothiest, polytheist, etc and still fall under the dharmic umbrella. Just thought I’d get yalls thoughts since yall might have a better more accurate idea than me.