Atheist Attic Visitor Profile
What is your name? (Real or pseudo)
What is your date of birth?
What is your gender?
Last time I checked, female.
What is your race?
What is your e-mail address? (optional)
What is the name and URL of your homepage? (optional)
Where do you live? (City, State, Country)
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA
How would you best describe your form of freethought? (Atheist, Agnostic, Humanist, etc.)
I am an atheist who studies philosophy, primarily taoism.
Were you raised as a freethinker or to be religious?
I was raised Germanic Lutheran, but my father is a Catholic and Methodist blend. My parents flipped out when I questioned my religion around age 14. They will never be okay with me being a happy heretic, but are starting to respect my opinions as an adult. Only took 13 years.
What originally set you on the path to freethought?
I began an extensive search for knowledge when I hit my teens, and read every book in the public and school libraries I could get my hands on. I learned and explored my own mind, and continue to do so today.
When did you "come out" as a freethinker to family/friends/public, and how did it go over?
Besides an initial discussion with my parents during my teens, I have had little direct conversation with other family members. It was a case of She'll-Grow-Out-of-it-Someday Syndrome, and perhaps still is. I have had acquaintances and friends attempt to convert me (Mormon, Catholic, and a fundie Protestant sect), but my true friends respect my beliefs. They tend to be more concerned with other issues that I am more vocal about. I was upfront with my spouse right from the start that I was a freethinker and it's never been a problem.
Do you feel it necessary to continue to hide your beliefs in any circumstances, and if so, why?
Nope. I grew out of that.
Have you ever been the victim of discrimination or abuse because of your beliefs?
Verbally, yes. Legally, no.
In what types of freethought activism, if any, do you participate?
None at the moment. I'm too busy battling anti-choice fanatics.
What do you feel is the best part of being a freethinker?
I believe in myself and consider my actions and their consequences to be my teacher.
What do you feel is the worst part of being a freethinker?
Being of a 'minority faith' everywhere I work, live, and shop is pretty annoying but tolerable. Being told that as a supporter of public schools, I am discouraging morality is just plain silly. Hearing 'loving, accepting Christians' repeatedly denounce other religions and philosophies as blasphamous and immoral is ironic. But I would have to say that it's really quite unbelievable that we are still battling for respect and the separation of religion and government.
What is the societal atmosphere for freethinkers where you live?
Nationally, I am dealing with Shrub being in office. Locally, I don't pay attention (just kidding). It's tough to be anything but white, omnivorous, Christian, pro-life, and a private/parochial school supporter in Lancaster County. We're working on it.
How do you define "freedom of religion" and do you think your country attempts to grant this?
Separation of church and state is eroded every time a conservative goon gets elected. This presidency is going to be no different. The only thing good about GWB part dieux being in office is that it's keeping liberals employed.
If you could share one thought with whoever might read this profile of you, what would it be?
Vote with your conscience.
