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A while ago I mentioned to a friend of mine who is a church goer that I was a member of several groups that are Free Thinkers and Atheists and she asked me if we used our real names or did we all use aliases. I was shocked by her question because aside from her religious belief she is an educated and intelligent woman. Why on earth would I be ashamed of my Atheism, I wondered aloud, was she ashamed of her religious belief. Now the shoe was on the other foot and she proclaimed her religious faith.
I understand that people use aliases on this site because it is a dating site as well as a site for community, in fact my user name defaulted to my FB account name. Does anybody disguise their true identity as an Atheist or Free Thinker by using aliases and if so why?

Surfpirate 9 May 2
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17 comments

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1

I use my real name and my real age

2

I usually go by my middle name, Vic. I don't consider it to be an alias, because I have been called Vic ever since I got home from the hospital at the age of 2 days old. My first name is Fred, but so was my Dad's. Calling me Vic simply avoided confusion. If anyone Doesn't like that I'm an atheist, they can go piss up a rope. I don't like it when someone with a cross hanging from their rearview mirror or painted on the car drives past me when I'm hitch hiking. It seems a lot like lying to me. their cross proclaims them to be willing to help their fellow man, their actions prove otherwise.

1

Surfpirate is an old handle from my underwater treasure hunting days but it is tied to my FB account and that is how it turned up as my Alias on this group, My real name is Eric.

Same thing happened to me...LucyLoohoo is my FB name. I'm pam. Glad to meet you, Eric!

@LucyLoohoo are you sure you're no more than two or perhaps just young at heart? 🙂

@Surfpirate Long story but...I rescued a dog who came with her own FB page (I know...I know...modern life, etc.) Anyhow, LucyLoohoo was/is her name. So, because I don't like the transparency of FB, I turned her page into mine and...here we are. She's a RIDICULOUS little thing but...loveable. And yes...I'm young at heart! Isn't that a grand thing to be?

2

Nope. Uncorrugated is my real name. 😉

Seriously though, it is a name I have used on many fora and I am kind of attached to it.

Not bothered about hiding who I am, just habit really.

3

Only when I change into my cape.

Love it! 😀

1

Nope. There's no one who's in the position to harm me, were they to find out I'm an atheist. My superiors wouldn't care, and neither does my family; I certainly wouldn't choose to have friends who would be put off by my atheism. I understand that's not the case for everyone, though.

I just realized I'm using an alias. When I'm prompted for a username, I use an alias by convention. I hate using name plus a bunch of numbers; If I could just have "Mat Williams", I'd use that, but usually I can't.

0

Yes, kinda. I am Phil and that is me. 21 is just to set me apart.

0

Some people live in small towns where being known as an atheist could mean losing your job. Aliases are to protect them from harassment.

Orbit Level 7 May 2, 2018
0

I use an alias almost everywhere on the Internet aside from Facebook. It has nothing to do with being ashamed of who I am.

vita Level 7 May 2, 2018
3

I stand with every thing I say, I'm not afraid to add my true name. When I joined, it looked as though most people used a name they identified with. It probably says more about who they truly are than the name given by their parents.

What a great last sentence !!!

0

One member of my group uses an alias. We're in SC and their spouse is an elected official.

2

I just find this weird. The use of aliases on the internet is to protect one's identity from those who might somehow try to exploit it, or stalk you, or worse... to find and assault you. It's really about safety, at least it used to be.

0

We all are virtual entities here... What difference does it make if the name is A or B?

2

I use an alias because I'm a private person, not because I'm an atheist. If I corespond with someone here I almost always sign it with my true name (which by the way is Dana).

1

I don't hide my atheism. My user name, Catlady5, is because I'm a crazy cat lady (Only three, not a cat hoarder.LOL!). My real name is Janet Neihart. It's not like we need to be Atheist Anonymous.

I guess there must be at least a Catlady1, 2, 3, and 4 ahead of you and probably a Catlady 6, 7,8,9 and?????. 🙂 To be honest I would say that three cats just makes you a pet owner.

1

The book of Larry, chapter 17, verse 12: And it came to pass that Ben (me), gave th not one bowel movement about the opinions of others.
Verse 13: Yea and verily thus so, that coninueth to be the case.

2

I assure you Christian social sites use nothing but aliases. It's not a pride thing, it;s called how the site is designed to protect your privacy.

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