An Introduction to Nonreligious Asylum Seekers

This book examines the challenges of nonreligious asylum seekers, based on two years of fieldwork in Sweden, The Netherlands, and Norway. It highlights the unique difficulties they face, such as being incorrectly assimilated with religious converts, evidencing their non-belief, and the stereotypes that undermine their claims. Despite international human rights protections, nonreligious individuals often struggle within asylum systems due to biases and inadequate guidelines. The study provides detailed case portraits and analyses institutional processes, offering insights into the emotional toll on nonreligious claimants. It concludes with a discussion of recent policy developments and the role of NGOs in supporting nonreligious refugees.