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- Featured Member
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Name & Location
I AM that I AM, or Randy, if you prefer. I currently live in unincorporated King County in the Kirkland area. Born in the city of Medford, Oregon.
How long have you considered yourself an Atheist?
12 years or so. I went through stages of agnosticism starting back in the late 1970's, continued on to freethinker and secular humanist, then decided that the real description was atheist.
How do you prefer to describe your non-belief?
(Atheist, agnostic, humanist, etc.) I consider myself an Atheist freethinking secular humanist.
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Can you describe a personal event or discovery that had a major influence on your non-beliefs?
Kind of a combination of circumstances aimed me in this direction: Nearly flunking out my first year in Junior High (caused me to get with the program and start working at it), some good science classes shortly after (from oceanography to archeology), the Cosmos TV series of Carl Sagan, Star Trek and other science fiction books, including Lucifer's Hammer. All of that got me to stop praying daily, and begin considering televangelists to be immense charlatans. (in some cases literally immense).
Why did you join Seattle Atheists?
The need to get a public face on Atheism led me to be more outspoken about it. My first real experience at this was the Godless American's March on Washington in 2002. It was a high, and I felt the need to continue it.
What do you consider to be a common misconception about atheists?
I think the most common is that we are less 'moral' than the religious. I find the opposite to be more the case. We don't attack or kill people whose belief systems are different. We may argue amongst ourselves, but I've never seen it get violent. Most of the atheists I know are pacifists.
What is the meaning of life?
Mmmm… Donuts! There really isn't a 'meaning' in the larger sense. There is only the personal meaning that comes from upbringing and experience.
What are 1 or 2 of your favorite atheist-related websites?
The Secular Web: www.infidels.org Source of excellent historical information and a great forum
The Cynic: www.the-cynic.com Not always safe for work, but humorous cartoons
Share a favorite quote.
"When it comes to a choice between two evils, I always choose the one I haven't tried before." -Mae West
If you could have a serious discussion or debate with one living person in the world, who would it be?
Well, I am not a good debater, as I do not suffer fools gladly, so for serious discussion, Richard Dawkins.
Thanks Randy for being our very first Featured Member!
Check out our previous members:
Taneka Aristidou
Gary B
Jami Blackann
Patrick Carr
Tiffany Greenleaf
Patrick Inniss
Bart Meltzer
Mark Richardson
Randy Rumley
Bob Seidensticker
If you know of someone else who should be featured,
let us know!
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This page was updated on: Thursday, 18-Sep-2008 22:36:30 MST
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