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)
Springfield, Missouri, USA
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 an occasional church-going family.
What originally set you on the path to freethought?
A Sunday school teacher, when I was about 9 years old, said that belief in God could be likened to television. While we do not understand how it works we still know it does. That got me to thinking about the connection between knowledge and belief. I later became interested in mathematics, where we are not concerned with the basic assumptions, only the possibilities logically derived there from.
When did you "come out" as a freethinker to family/friends/public, and how did it go over?
I have not “come out”, just leaked a little. My religious friends and I avoid the subject to preserve our friendship. My wife accepts me.
Do you feel it necessary to continue to hide your beliefs in any circumstances, and if so, why?
Yes. I feel like religion is a human condition; probably the remnants of evolved social survival system. Some of us did not get the set of genes that causes those emotions. Those who have the religious feelings cannot understand those of us that do not. Many of the religious oriented must have difficulty balancing their emotions and intellect. That conflict causes Atheists to be a threat. My relationships with others are more important to me than my lack of belief in God.
Have you ever been the victim of discrimination or abuse because of your beliefs?
Yes. I have been verbally assaulted throughout life by those wishing to help me see the light. I was denied employment at a church affiliated college. I had to do push-ups all morning in the army while others attended services.
In what types of freethought activism, if any, do you participate?
What do you feel is the best part of being a freethinker?
My mind has more time to devote to other things than religion. I suspect that when you remove sex and religion from most peoples thoughts not much remains.
What do you feel is the worst part of being a freethinker?
There is nothing negative about being a freethinker. There is, however, the social difficulties of being an Atheist. I understand your use of the term freethinker but I think even Christians can be freethinkers by my definition.
What is the societal atmosphere for freethinkers where you live?
There is almost no acceptance of Atheism where I live. Actually I live in Republic, Missouri. The city put up quite a fight to retain a fish symbol on their logo. The ACLU won!
How do you define "freedom of religion" and do you think your country attempts to grant this?
I think we have to allow religion to exist, but we should have a constitutional clause that provides not only freedom of religion, but freedom from religious discrimination against those who believe differently than the local majority.
If you could share one thought with whoever might read this profile of you, what would it be?
As an Atheist please do not become arrogant.
