What is your name? (Real or pseudo)

Matthew Barnes

What is your date of birth?

1/7/71

What is your gender?

Male

What is your race?

White.

What is your e-mail address? (optional)

mab-7@worldnet.att.net

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

N/A

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

Rock Hill, SC, USA

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

I would have to say that I am an Atheist.

Were you raised as a freethinker or to be religious?

I was raised as a Southern Baptist.

What originally set you on the path to freethought?

I began thinking of freethought after I graduated from high school. It was as if the world had opened up to me. I felt a lot better knowing that I no longer had to depend on some sort of fictional character to run my life. I was the one who was going to run my life. I've been a lot happier ever since then.

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

I "came out," as it were, in 1991. My friends were very supportive of me as they too questioned the reality of a "higher power." My parents didn't really know until the last year or so. They do not approve of my lack of religion, but they're still there for me. As for the work place, I dare not tell of my nonreligion. I have a good relationship with the people I work with, and do not want them to cast me out because of my freethought.

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

I only hide my freethought from my coworkers. I do not want to say anything to them about it, seeing as how most of my coworkers are religious in one way or another. And as you probably already know, if you're not like them, then you're an outcast. From there you know what can happen.

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

As of yet, I've not had any discrimination or abuse because of my freethought. I might have some discrimination, if my employers found out.

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

I've never participated in any activism as of yet, but it's something that I would consider.

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

The best part of being a freethinker is knowing that I've not got to depend on any type of a "god" to make me what I am. I also like the fact that I consider myself too intelligent to have to depend on any sort of mental pacifier.

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

The worst part of being a freethinker is being persecuted by hypocritical "Christians" and the like.

What is the societal atmosphere for freethinkers where you live?

If there are other freethinkers where I live, I know nothing of them. I would guess that any atheist around here would have to be concidered a foxhole atheist. I would have to say that anyone admitting to themselves as being atheist would be outcast at best. This is the bible belt you know. Super "Christians" everywhere.

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

I would define freedom of religion as a shackle that has been taken off. I feel as if I'm free from having to depend on a force that could never be.

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

My thought would be that I would like to believe that there are more people out there that will use their minds, and open them. I would like to think that people will become more openminded, and not walk through life with blinders on following a narrow dark path.