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?
What is your e-mail address? (optional)
What is the name and URL of your homepage? (optional)
Where do you live? (City, State, Country)
How would you best describe your form of freethought? (Atheist, Agnostic, Humanist, etc.)
Were you raised as a freethinker or to be religious?
I was raised in a christian environment. My church was pentecostal.
What originally set you on the path to freethought?
I was 16 years old and I started to question how a loving God would allow someone to go to Hell. A month later I realized I hate christianity.
When did you "come out" as a freethinker to family/friends/public, and how did it go over?
I was 17 when I told my brother and a few close friends of mine. I think I was 18 when I finally told my mom.
Do you feel it necessary to continue to hide your beliefs in any circumstances, and if so, why?
I used to hide my beliefs from the majority of people to avoid persecution, but I'm more open about it now. However, I don't volunteer to tell people how I feel, especially at work. Only if asked.
Have you ever been the victim of discrimination or abuse because of your beliefs?
Yes. I have been accused of worshipping the devil and having no morality. It doesn't happen too often though.
In what types of freethought activism, if any, do you participate?
What do you feel is the best part of being a freethinker?
Being able to think for myself without the fear of being punished for it.
What do you feel is the worst part of being a freethinker?
Sometimes I'm discriminated against for it.
What is the societal atmosphere for freethinkers where you live?
Not too bad, although there used to be a school-sponsored prayer group at the High School in my town.
How do you define "freedom of religion" and do you think your country attempts to grant this?
Not having the government or public schools favor one religion over another and being able to choose your beliefs by yourself. I think America is a joke when it comes to freedom of religion. If we really had religious freedom it wouldn't say "In God We Trust" on our money, it wouldn't say "One nation under God" in the Pledge, and presidents wouldn't mention God when on television. Christians would be out-raged if our currency read "In Satan We Trust" or "There is no God".
If you could share one thought with whoever might read this profile of you, what would it be?
Question everything and never follow on blind faith alone.
