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First, let's argue what freedom isn't. We shall call this hapless state: "trapped" and speak of what comprises a state of entrapment. Being trapped is a confining, claustrophobic state that is devoid of option and free will.

My first example of "entrapment" is Death. The fear of death is a daunting prospect for any life-loving human and one that we often dilute with religion. Death is finality, the end to the continuum of life. Death is a trap, one that we spend our lives dreading. Death is also unavoidable and any time we fore go worrying is time wasted. Death cannot be negotiated away by good deeds or enormous wealth and will catch each one of us as surely as the sun will rise tomorrow. Being afraid of an unavoidable state is entrapping on our minds and consciouses. This phobia leaves us unable to confront life logically but rather be good so we can enjoy eternal lives.

Secondly, entrapment can come in the form of lies. Deceit, even of our minds, is a terrible state to be in. The inability, or unwillingness, to hold honest, true values holds us back in a quandary of confinement. This honest view of the world comes from education but also through curiosity of the world we live in. A conclusive answer is not available to us therefore curiosity is the inclination we must hold dear. There are things we do not, and may never, know about ourselves but that is no reason to lie to our minds and deceive our own (admittedly limited) intellect.

Freedom must be the opposite of these two points as well as many more unmentioned concepts. If we use this analogy accurately then freedom is the absence of 1) the fear of death and 2) self-deceit. To be free is to live for the now and not the unpredictable finality we must face. Freedom is the confrontation of this world with an acceptance uncertainty but a drive to discover and ponder.

Atheism does not monopolize this freedom; it is possible through religion and spiritual means too. Atheism by its nature tends to be skeptical and anti- and therefore may shoot itself in the foot when it comes to the question of freedom.

Learn more about this author, Uhuru Uhlanya.
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