Tania Amaral

What part of the world are you from and where do you currently live?

I am from Brazil but have lived in the U.S. since 1984.

Do you have children? If so how many and what ages?

One daughter (43), two grandchildren (15 and 18).

What do you do at Atheist Republic?

I’m a volunteer translator.

You are a dictator. Are you benevolent or malevolent, and what is your first edict?

Benevolent, eliminate tax breaks for churches.

Were you ever religious? If so, share a little bit of that experience. Were you completely all-in and sincere or were you half-hearted? Did you always have serious doubts?

I was raised Catholic, but never really believed in religion or any of the stories. I grew up listening to my staunch atheist father. 

What event or series of events brought you become an atheist? If you were always an atheist, did you ever have doubts?

There was no event, it was just a realization that there is a name for the way I think.

What is your favorite holiday? How do you celebrate/observe it?

I like Christmas best. First, because of my daughter, and later, because of my grandchildren. But it never had a religious meaning, it was always an occasion to get together and exchange gifts. My grandchildren are not religious at all and my son-in-law is an atheist.

In a horrifying turn of events, you can no only choose to have one of the following, forsaking all others. Would you choose:
a) a TV with all the channels
b) a huge library full of all kinds of books and periodicals that update regularly
c) a computer and printer but no internet
d) a video game console with all of the games you want

A TV with all channels