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?
White through and through!
What is your e-mail address? (optional)
What is the name and URL of your homepage? (optional)
Where do you live? (City, State, Country)
San Bernardino Mountains, Southern California, USA
How would you best describe your form of freethought? (Atheist, Agnostic, Humanist, etc.)
Were you raised as a freethinker or to be religious?
Freethinker. Parents were kind enough to allow me free rein in what I
did and what I thought. I consider myself lucky to have been given that
freedom as a child. Most are not.
What originally set you on the path to freethought?
Simply put, at about seven years old, listening to the “nonsense”spoken in school about God and religeon, I couldn’t see how these people could seriously believe that there is an invisible man in the sky that grants wishes when you close your eyes and put your hands together. Then, in
history class, when I was a little older, one discovers that religion is the root of all the major historical wars. Being from England, growing up
we dealt with the constant terror attacks from the I.R.A. Once again, a 200 year old religious problem, causing death. Then at age 12, learning
about Darwin and theories of evolution in science class and all of a sudden, there was something that totally made sense. The more I thought about that and then looked at these “jesus-freaks” the more I became alarmed that there are so many of these people in the world amongst us! Scary!!!! I try to imagine what the world looks like through their eyes, when they waste one day a week and a tenth of their income, chanting meaningless nonsense to someone that they just made up, and learning “scripture” quotes that are contradictory to then pass on to others in an effort to look like they conform. Once again, these are SCARY people that are loose among us!!
When did you "come out" as a freethinker to family/friends/public, and how did it go over?
13 years old. Mum was embarrassed in case the neighbours (correct English spelling! I am English!!!) found out and my Dad was just pleased that I was showing signs of intelligence and figuring stuff out for myself at age 13. My sister thought it was funny because I was the only one around that openly proclaimed myself atheist at age 13. She didn’t really understand it at the time, but was proud of her brother for being a “mouth-piece”!
Do you feel it necessary to continue to hide your beliefs in any circumstances, and if so, why?
On the contrary! I am proud to inform others of my atheism and do so often just in case somebody might mistake me for one of the “blinkered”,
afraid, meek, insecure, theists.
Have you ever been the victim of discrimination or abuse because of your beliefs?
No. The entire hierarchy at my work other than myself are devout Christians, and they all tell me they pray for me, and we have a good laugh about it and usually end up in harmless, friendly debate!
In what types of freethought activism, if any, do you participate?
Bright, almost obnoxious atheist stickers proudly displayed on my truck, other than that, felt I needed to do more which was how I found this
site in the first place. I would like to make myself available to anybody who may be “on the edge” of either realizing that religeon is pure fantasy or
coming out and proclaiming their atheism. I am on your side folks, I have an opinion and am glad to share it with anybody if they so desire.
What do you feel is the best part of being a freethinker?
I feel that it reflects my intelligence quotient, and being public about it in the way I am, I like it when people come to me and ask my
opinions, and my beliefs, and then thank me for helping them to better understand theirs. I feel my public atheism makes me more approachable, and some people, I have found look up to me because of it. I am a nice bloke at heart and like helping people. If I help somebody to come to terms with their beliefs or their doubts about their faith, then I feel I am doing good, helping and I feel good about myself.
What do you feel is the worst part of being a freethinker?
There sis nothing bad about it as far as I am concerned.
What is the societal atmosphere for freethinkers where you live?
We exist, but few speak out as I do. We are definitely outnumbered by Religious people here. I feel I am surrounded by loonies! It is a
relief when someone approaches me and compliments my stickers!
How do you define "freedom of religion" and do you think your country attempts to grant this?
It is my opinion that the U.S. government would like people to think they grant this, however it also seems that there is a majority that would
truly prefer to see the Nation full of nothing but Bible-thumpers. (Bible “bashers” in England!)
If you could share one thought with whoever might read this profile of you, what would it be?
If they don’t believe in Santa Claus, the Tooth fairy or the Easter Bunny, why would they believe in “God” ? Don’t believe them, don’t be taken in by this ridiculous fantasy. Think hard, examine the facts, stand up and be proud that you were able to question their preaching. Be proud that you saw through the nonsense. It makes you look better, it will make you FEEL better, and it DOESN’T MEAN YOU ARE NOT A NICE PERSON to be an atheist!
