What is your name? (Real or pseudo)

Johnothan Osbringer

What is your date of birth?

(undisclosed)

What is your gender?

Male

What is your race?

(undisclosed)

What is your e-mail address? (optional)

(undisclosed)

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

N/A

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

The South, USA

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

My form of freethought? Pure skepticism, though not in the sense which was viciously attacked by Berkely. More that I question what I hear, and often come to revelations simply through arguing for the fun of it and finding out that I'm right.

Were you raised as a freethinker or to be religious?

Both of my parents are Hindu, and i was raised as such.

What originally set you on the path to freethought?

My critically analyzing my own religion and many others and finding them all totally unacceptable.

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

Well actually, I don't tell people anything I believe. I argue about anything and for anything and I would be extremely hindered in arguing for Southern Baptism if my opponent knew that I was firmly against it. I have, however, written quite a few essays on fairly Atheistic subjects, and those that have read them have started to wonder.

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

See above.

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

Actually, when I argue against theism, most people take it fairly good-naturedly. I have yet to find anyone who actually minds my questioning their faith, strangely enough.

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

Freethought activism? I don't participate in any sort of freethought activism save arguing for freethought with anyone who cares to argue against it.

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

I think that would be better worded as, "What do you feel are the bests parts of thinking freely, " though even that doesn't quite fit. The part from which I have drawn the greatest advantage is that I now question every thought which flows through my head and because of this have come up with many interesting topics for essays and discussion. I'm compiling a collection of my essays and plan to publish them soon.

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

The worst part of thinking freely? I really can't think of anything.

What is the societal atmosphere for freethinkers where you live?

As I stated before, people are highly tolerant and very eager to argue their position. I love it.

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

Freedom of religion? It's the freedom to practice any religion (or lack of it) which one pleases. Our country is made up of people. Some people do, some people don't, some people don't care.

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

Can you think of one good reason why God really needs to exist?