Freethought & Rationalism Archive

jkizer · 08-17-2003, 08:21 PM

The secular student group at my university uses the word "Freethought" in its name. When mentioning my membership in that group, I've had several people (including my best friend, an atheist, and another close friend, a Christian) tell me that, because of the word "Freethought," it sounded like "a gay club." Maybe I'm missing out on something obvious here, but...how the hell do you get "gay" from "freethought?" Has anyone else had a similar experience? Can anyone explain it?

Loren Pechtel · 08-17-2003, 08:24 PM

Anything not on the straight and narrow must be all the various evils!

trunks2k · 08-17-2003, 08:48 PM

Sure they didn't mean "gay" as a negative descriptor? I's a pretty popular words nowadays to describe something that is unlikeable. Like, "Those clothes are so gay"

jkizer · 08-17-2003, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by trunks2k
Sure they didn't mean "gay" as a negative descriptor? I's a pretty popular words nowadays to describe something that is unlikeable. Like, "Those clothes are so gay"

Hadn't even thought of that...although my best friend followed up his initial assessment with, "Yeah, you probably meet every week and have lots of gay sex," and my other close friend was pretty clear in her usage of the word...but that might explain some of the other cases. Thanks for the reminder.

Enlighten Me · 08-17-2003, 10:22 PM

It sounds as if they misconstrue "freethought" to mean "open to alternative lifestyles, including homosexuality." I would say they are simply ignorant about the real purpose of the club, and fortunate to be able to learn about it from you!

Doctor X · 08-17-2003, 11:58 PM

jkizer:

Maybe they have noticed you wear highheels and hang around in "fern bars?"

--J.D.

P.S. Belated welcome to the forums!

P.P.S. As the Enlightened Lady states, too many people conflate opinions they do not agree with. I am a bit surprised that your friend thinks it refers to "gay." Perhaps some homosexual/lesbian groups use "freethought" in their name, but I am unaware of it.

Carlos · 08-18-2003, 07:32 AM

Someone who was not aware that "freethought" is associated with secularism could interpret it literally and think it means open to different ideas. The presumption could be that those ideas are not well accepted by the public at large. So, think of some idea that is not well received, take the opposite stance - that could be "freethought."

Gays and lesbians have far greater visibility as a group than do non-theists. While most people in a university environment are aware of the G&L community and the issues that are important to them, many have never met a non-theist or realized that we too associate as a group and have similar concerns.

The Other Michael · 08-18-2003, 08:10 AM

freethought = libertine men and scarlet women?

cheers,
Michael

Godless Dave · 08-18-2003, 08:26 AM

free thought = free love?

(If only)

Rhea · 08-18-2003, 09:55 AM

Never ceases to amaze me how incredibly narrow and ininformed one can make one's world if one just hugs jesus hard enough.

08-17-2003, 08:21 PM	#1
jkizer Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Columbus, Ohio, USA Posts: 93	"Freethought" = Gay? The secular student group at my university uses the word "Freethought" in its name. When mentioning my membership in that group, I've had several people (including my best friend, an atheist, and another close friend, a Christian) tell me that, because of the word "Freethought," it sounded like "a gay club." Maybe I'm missing out on something obvious here, but...how the hell do you get "gay" from "freethought?" Has anyone else had a similar experience? Can anyone explain it?

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08-17-2003, 08:24 PM	#2
Loren Pechtel Obsessed Contributor Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Not Mayaned Posts: 96,752	Anything not on the straight and narrow must be all the various evils!

08-17-2003, 08:48 PM	#3
trunks2k Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 6,997	Sure they didn't mean "gay" as a negative descriptor? I's a pretty popular words nowadays to describe something that is unlikeable. Like, "Those clothes are so gay"

08-17-2003, 10:22 PM	#5
Enlighten Me Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southern Ca. Posts: 1,109	It sounds as if they misconstrue "freethought" to mean "open to alternative lifestyles, including homosexuality." I would say they are simply ignorant about the real purpose of the club, and fortunate to be able to learn about it from you!

08-17-2003, 11:58 PM	#6
Doctor X Banned Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 3,794	jkizer: Maybe they have noticed you wear highheels and hang around in "fern bars?" --J.D. P.S. Belated welcome to the forums! P.P.S. As the Enlightened Lady states, too many people conflate opinions they do not agree with. I am a bit surprised that your friend thinks it refers to "gay." Perhaps some homosexual/lesbian groups use "freethought" in their name, but I am unaware of it.

08-18-2003, 07:32 AM	#7
Carlos Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 545	Someone who was not aware that "freethought" is associated with secularism could interpret it literally and think it means open to different ideas. The presumption could be that those ideas are not well accepted by the public at large. So, think of some idea that is not well received, take the opposite stance - that could be "freethought." Gays and lesbians have far greater visibility as a group than do non-theists. While most people in a university environment are aware of the G&L community and the issues that are important to them, many have never met a non-theist or realized that we too associate as a group and have similar concerns.

08-18-2003, 08:10 AM	#8
The Other Michael Honorary Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In the fog of San Francisco Posts: 12,631	freethought = libertine men and scarlet women? cheers, Michael

08-18-2003, 08:26 AM	#9
Godless Dave Contributor Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: With 10,000 lakes who needs a coast? Posts: 10,762	free thought = free love? (If only)

08-18-2003, 09:55 AM	#10
Rhea Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Recluse Posts: 9,040	Never ceases to amaze me how incredibly narrow and ininformed one can make one's world if one just hugs jesus hard enough.

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