On Arab atheists, again

Regarding the article by Whittaker.   In our new history of cases where Zanadiqah (or atheists for the lack of a more accurate translation) were executed or even Sufis (whether Ibn Al-Muqaffa` or Bashshar or even Hallaj) the view is that they were in fact killed for offenses unrelated to atheism but for political reasons.   This also applies to some charges of atheism by Arab governments or by PA: they use that charge but in only to not charge them with the obvious but more embarrassing (for them) charge of political opposition.  (thanks "Ibn Rushd")