What is your name? (Real or pseudo)

Cynthia (Thia) Sue Carey

What is your date of birth?

June 29, 1962

What is your gender?

Female

What is your race?

A little of everything topped with red hair.

What is your e-mail address? (optional)

csc7@psu.edu

What is the name and URL of your homepage? (optional)

Cyndi's Site

Where do you live? (City, State, Country)

State College, PA (USA)

How would you best describe your form of freethought? (Atheist, Agnostic, Humanist, etc.)

If I need a tag I guess it would be atheist.

Were you raised as a freethinker or to be religious?

Definitely religious, my family is VERY religious - many Catholics.

What originally set you on the path to freethought?

When I was a teenager I read two different versions of the bible. They didn't agree.

When did you "come out" as a freethinker to family/friends/public, and how did it go over?

My family didn't take it too well. They keep saying I'm going to hell - whether I believe it exists or not.

Do you feel it necessary to continue to hide your beliefs in any circumstances, and if so, why?

I wouldn't say I "hide" my beliefs...I choose not to voice them on occasion to reduce friction and keep the peace. That isn't to say I do this in all instances; keeping my opinions to myself isn't easy for me.

Have you ever been the victim of discrimination or abuse because of your beliefs?

Definitely - even in my own family! I have cousins whose children I have never met because I'm a "godless infidel" and would be a "bad influence" on them.

In what types of freethought activism, if any, do you participate?

Besides writing letters to the local newspapers and constantly correcting obvious factual errors in peoples' religious rhetoric, I like to find "open minds" and seed them with thoughts I've had myself - or more often absorbed from Cardigan's Corner and the Atheist Attic. (i.e., if you really had a guardian angel watching out for you during that accident, why were you in the accident in the first place?)

What do you feel is the best part of being a freethinker?

Independence, I don't have to depend on a crutch. I can also hear and learn new things without feeling threatened.

What do you feel is the worst part of being a freethinker?

The "not freethinkers" who think that just because I don't believe in god, satan, heaven or hell, I don't have any morals or I would be a "bad influence" on children.

What is the societal atmosphere for freethinkers where you live?

There are a few small pockets of freethought due in large part to the nature of the area - it was built around Penn State University.

How do you define "freedom of religion" and do you think your country attempts to grant this?

I believe that the truest form of "freedom of religion" is one that can accept freedom from religion.

If you could share one thought with whoever might read this profile of you, what would it be?

I don't believe I could come up with anything better than "Lead by example, practice tolerance, acceptance and consideration."