Atheist Attic Visitor Profile
What is your name? (Real or pseudo)
What is your date of birth?
What is your gender?
What is your race?
Caucasian: English/Germ-in/Czech
What is your e-mail address? (optional)
What is the name and URL of your homepage? (optional)
Where do you live? (City, State, Country)
Urban area of the East Coast
How would you best describe your form of freethought? (Atheist, Agnostic, Humanist, etc.)
Atheist/Militant Agnostic. What came first the chicken or the egg... Sure there probably is a god (or gods), but I'm positive it's not the one xians are drooling over...
Were you raised as a freethinker or to be religious?
I was raised in the Episcopal church, baptized and even got all excited about it once. That lasted about a day...
What originally set you on the path to freethought?
After getting born again and not feeling any different, I immediately drifted; and having been raised around religion I continued to search, but 'they' could never answer any question with a scientifically provable answer - just faith BS.
When did you "come out" as a freethinker to family/friends/public, and how did it go over?
I never really "came out" to my family. My wife knew from day one that I questioned everything; and I claimed to be agnostic for quite a long time- And I just don't discuss religion with my bible thumper, born again mother or anyone else in that part of my family. I think they have figured it out from lack of church, pointed (verbal) barbs, bumper stickers etc...
Do you feel it necessary to continue to hide your beliefs in any circumstances, and if so, why?
I don't discuss religion at work, and do not allow other people to discuss religion at work. Being a leader in the Navy I HAVE to keep the respect of my Sailors, and I need to respect them - And I will have a pretty hard time respecting someone that I think is an idiot based on religious preference.
Have you ever been the victim of discrimination or abuse because of your beliefs?
I have been handed some neat literature at stop lights; but I've also had support shown for my bumper stickers; other than that I'm fairly forward enough that I stand ready to fight (verbally) about my beliefs (or lack of) and attitude is at least part of the battle.
In what types of freethought activism, if any, do you participate?
Not a lot...Message boards, chat rooms, t-shirts, bumper stickers. Voting for people with a scientific brain...
What do you feel is the best part of being a freethinker?
What do you feel is the worst part of being a freethinker?
Every flaming xian (the other word would have been censored) feels the need to explain why they are right. F* Off
What is the societal atmosphere for freethinkers where you live?
Fair to good - the military is a nice cross section of society, and almost forces people to be tolerant, so it's not bad. Although the recent Pledge thing is a problem.
How do you define "freedom of religion" and do you think your country attempts to grant this?
Freedom of Religion means choose whichever, what ever, or none; and the rest of the country promises not to push you into a religion you don't like - not by force, coercion or any other means. Matter of fact lets eliminate churches entirely Make it like smoking - DO it in your garage, and your garage only.
If you could share one thought with whoever might read this profile of you, what would it be?
Believe in what you want to believe in, keep searching for answers - in science, in religious books and in life; and when you get to the other side - Call us and tell who was right.
