What is your name? (Real or pseudo)

Sonya Deliyannis (I couldn't make that one up)

What is your date of birth?

August 19, 1966 (I expect B.day cards….LOL)

What is your gender?

Female

What is your race?

Tutti-Frutti-white European

What is your e-mail address? (optional)

unachica@earthlink.net

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

The Rants of Logic

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

Frederick, Maryland USA

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

A cynical Atheist mostly, but I do harbor some hope for humanity.

Were you raised as a freethinker or to be religious?

I was raised to be a sheep (Xian). I was taught all sorts of useful information…how to hate those who are different, how to feel guilty for your existence, how to sit on your ass a hope for a miracle as opposed to going out and making it happen.

What originally set you on the path to freethought?

Well, as I run over my past in my mind…I have realized that I have always been skeptical in one way or another. However, because of my upbringing and the days of fire and brimstone in church, I pushed those doubts in the farthest nether-regions of my gray matter, refusing to even look at any one of them seriously for fear that I was going to suffer tremendous torment and retribution from god if I even entertained the slightest notion of skepticism. As I grew up and as the saying goes…it was time to put away childish things…I began to take out these doubts and examine them one by one. Eventually, after being Agnostic for a few years, I had taken my first philosophy course and was so inspired by my professor it basically pushed me off the "I don't know" fence into the Atheist realm. And there I have found an infinite peace I had never known before.

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

I came out almost as soon as I realized that I was an Atheist. My husband had been an Atheist for over 20 years, but I did not know that until about 5 years ago. He was ecstatic! My mother took it reasonably well, but there was some resistance, especially with what we'd teach the children. My mother, after being exposed to me and my philosophy, has become more Agnostic, but I wouldn't put much stock in that. My mom's like the chameleon…she changes with the environment. Being an Atheist is ok, unless you're too vocal about it. My Grandmother does not know and I don't see the need to tell her. I am her favorite and it would kill her. She knows that I don't believe in organized religion…I told her that a long time ago. However, if she asked me point blank, I have enough respect for her that I would tell her the truth…as much respect I have for her…I could not deny who I am. The rest of my family doesn't know…and I don't particularly care…if they do they do…if not…it's no big deal and I don't need to waste the effort in telling them. I have two friends that I told. Both of which are still quite religious. One is LDS and the other is RLDS (I was baptized RLDS-we called ourselves Reorganized Morons…LOL). They told me that they loved me for who I was, not what I believed. So if you want to see Xianity as it is supposed to be…these two women are the epitome of love, understanding, and tolerance. Not many can live up to that standard.

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

I think I've answered that in the previous question.

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

Discrimination-yes. My husband was denied a job at Staples because he was not a Xian. We can't prove this concretely, but when they ask you on the application "do you consider yourself a good Xian?" It is a logical conclusion to come to when you refuse to answer the question.

Abuse…yes. We've been yelled at, called obscene names, cursed to hell, prevented from entering our car, been accosted in parking lots, flipped the bird numerous times, heads have been shaken at us "sympathetically", we've been blessed, prayed for, and Jesus loves you'd to death. All perpetrated by those wonderful, tolerant beacons of morality and neighborly love…the Xians. Oh yes, and many times in front of my children. Many Xians have said "well those weren't true Xians". I don't know about that…from their behavior in history…I think it is pretty true to form.

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

Well, my husband and I are members of American Atheists. I have my web site to help combat ignorance in both theists and Atheists. I go on letter writing campaigns when there is an issue in my state that needs addressing. As far as being an "activist" I'd much rather be the speech writer that the speech maker…

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

I think the word freethinker says it all. I am free to think. I have thrown off the shackles of religious enslavement and I can walk free in the sun to think my own thoughts, make my own decisions, and draw my own conclusions. I no longer feel guilty about being human…or hell…just being. And I know that no one can control my thoughts again.

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

The fact that once you announce being a freethinker you instantly become a pariah in the community, you become unfit to be around children, and you can't find a decent damn conversation from any intelligent human being because everyone else around you despises you or is caught up in the god crap and can't think without asking their bible what they should think. I have met only one Xian that I can truly trust what she says to be plain and out there on the table…the rest are just interested in getting their god points by herding another sheep into the flock.

What is the societal atmosphere for freethinkers where you live?

Uh…the street I live off of is called Church Street…get the picture?

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

Freedom of religion is the freedom to pursue your own personal life philosophy without interference from the government or hindrance from other citizens. I think our government as a whole has tried to keep the separation of church and state sacred and intact. However, there have been infiltrations and distortions of the Constitution allowed all due to some politician itch to become man of the year to the voters. Look at the religious crap that's going on now…I like it best when JFK said…My religion is none of your business…

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

I would say…to own thine self be true. You have control over your own mind and thoughts…use them. Scrutinize everything…be wary of promises that seem too good to be true or rely on extreme sacrifices and tenuous logic to keep them afloat. Also, become active in some way, however small, in the fight against religious bigotry and subjugation. After all, you can't complain about the rain, if you refused to use your umbrella.