Where do you live? (City, State, Country)
- Springfield, MO, USA
How would you best describe your form of freethought? (Atheist, Agnostic, Humanist, etc.)
- I am definitely an atheist and anti-religionist.
Were you raised as a freethinker or to be religious?
- Both my parents were ministers.
What originally set you on the path to freethought?
- When I was 6 years
old at a prayer service, with everybody acting all crazy, I realized "There
is no god. All these people are just all excited about what they THINK is
happening."
When did you "come out" as a freethinker to family/friends/public, and how did it go over?
- I haven't, and doubt I ever will.
Do you feel it necessary to continue to hide your beliefs in any circumstances, and if so, why?
- Yes. I am unable to care for myself and
relatives to help. My whole family is a bunch of preachers and doubt it
would go over well.
Have you ever been the victim of discrimination or abuse because of your beliefs?
- Just insomuch as I refuse to go to church. My family is upset
that I'm going to hell, but they still speak to me. I can only imagine
their reaction if they knew they aren't going to heaven!
In what types of freethought activism, if any, do you participate?
- None. I just yell at my TV a lot. Actively.
What do you feel is the best part of being a freethinker?
- The advantage of free thinking is enjoying life while I'm still alive and
not looking forward to death as the better part of life, which is rather
ridiculous.
What do you feel is the worst part of being a freethinker?
- That I'm still in the closet about it.
What is the societal atmosphere for freethinkers where you live?
- I'd say that the societal atmosphere for freethinkers in "The Bible Belt" is
rather airless.
How do you define "freedom of religion" and do you think your country attempts to grant this?
- I define it as being free to believe anything you
want to about where the universe came and what happens when you die.
The US grants freedom of religions, (pick one), but freedom FROM religion,
not at all.
If you could share one thought with whoever might read this profile of you, what would it be?
- When all else fails, laugh. It never fails. And it doesn't need
batteries.
