Freethought & Rationalism Archive

notMichaelJackson · 01-28-2003, 10:20 AM

From what I've heard it's just another word for "atheist." Why does it exist?

Gemma Therese · 01-28-2003, 10:24 AM

I am a Catholic free-thinker, although the people here would lead you to believe "free-thinker" refers exclusively to atheists (and sometimes agnostics.)

There's not much liberating about being so narrowly defined.

Gemma Therese

01-28-2003, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by notMichaelJackson
From what I've heard it's just another word for "atheist." Why does it exist?

There is a difference between "free thinker" and freethinker in that a free thinker is free to think while a freethinker is freed from thinking.

In this sense is a freethinker non-rational, a free thinker is rational, and a believer is both rational and irrational and rational only to the same extent that he/she is not bound by indoctrination of any sort.

notMichaelJackson · 01-28-2003, 10:28 AM

I met a guy who claimed to be theistic and a free thinker, but the term is generally used to describe non-theists, I think.

Define it.

notMichaelJackson · 01-28-2003, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Amos
There is a difference between "free thinker" and freethinker in that a free thinker is free to think while a freethinker is freed from thinking.

In this sense is a freethinker non-rational, a free thinker is rational, and a believer is both rational and irrational and rational only to the same extent that he/she is not bound by indoctrination of any sort.

Let me rephrase my question. Will someone define free thinker without giving me an illogical answer in an attempt to just confuse me ?

Gemma Therese · 01-28-2003, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by notMichaelJackson
Let me rephrase my question. Will someone define free thinker without giving me an illogical answer in an attempt to just confuse me ?

Amos's response was right on target.

Gemma Therese

01-28-2003, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by notMichaelJackson
I met a guy who claimed to be theistic and a free thinker, but the term is generally used to describe non-theists, I think.

Define it.

By definition a gnostic knows and an agnostic does not know.

In beteen is the believer who may or may not have correct opinion and among believers there are enriched believers called mystics and impoverished believers called atheists.

braces_for_impact · 01-28-2003, 10:34 AM

From this site:

Frff.org

Quote:

free-think-er n. A person who forms opinions about religion on the basis of reason, independently of tradition, authority, or established belief. Freethinkers include atheists, agnostics and rationalists.

No one can be a freethinker who demands conformity to a bible, creed, or messiah. To the freethinker, revelation and faith are invalid, and orthodoxy is no guarantee of truth.

Wyz_sub10 · 01-28-2003, 10:36 AM

I don't use the term, myself, because I think it is misleading.

But with re: to the SecWeb and this site, a "freethinker" refers to one whose beliefs are "free" of imposed dogma such as that found in religious doctrine.

01-28-2003, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by notMichaelJackson
Will someone define free thinker without giving me an illogical answer in an attempt to just confuse me ?

That is why the first lesson in free thinking is learning to think.

01-28-2003, 10:20 AM	#1
notMichaelJackson Banned Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: IL Posts: 552	Define "Free Thinker." From what I've heard it's just another word for "atheist." Why does it exist?

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01-28-2003, 10:24 AM	#2
Gemma Therese Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: new york Posts: 608	I am a Catholic free-thinker, although the people here would lead you to believe "free-thinker" refers exclusively to atheists (and sometimes agnostics.) There's not much liberating about being so narrowly defined. Gemma Therese

01-28-2003, 10:28 AM	#4
notMichaelJackson Banned Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: IL Posts: 552	I met a guy who claimed to be theistic and a free thinker, but the term is generally used to describe non-theists, I think. Define it.

01-28-2003, 10:36 AM	#9
Wyz_sub10 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the land of two boys and no sleep. Posts: 9,890	I don't use the term, myself, because I think it is misleading. But with re: to the SecWeb and this site, a "freethinker" refers to one whose beliefs are "free" of imposed dogma such as that found in religious doctrine.

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