Freethought: Difference between revisions
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'''Freethought''' is the view of a ''freethinker''. This is not the exact same thing as an [[atheist]], |
'''Freethought''' is the view of a ''freethinker''. This is not the exact same thing as an [[atheist]], although the distinction is sometimes not understood. A ''freethinker'' has been defined by the '''Freedom From Religion Foundation''' (references) as such: |
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:'' '''free-think-er''' n. A person who forms opinions about [[religion]]s on the basis of [[reason]], independently of [[tradition]], [[authority]], or established [[belief]]. Freethinkers include [[atheist]]s, [[agnostic]]s and [[Rationalism|rationalists]].'' |
:'' '''free-think-er''' n. A person who forms opinions about [[religion]]s on the basis of [[reason]], independently of [[tradition]], [[authority]], or established [[belief]]. Freethinkers include [[atheist]]s, [[agnostic]]s and [[Rationalism|rationalists]].'' |
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Revision as of 16:03, 17 August 2003
Freethought is the view of a freethinker. This is not the exact same thing as an atheist, although the distinction is sometimes not understood. A freethinker has been defined by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (references) as such:
- free-think-er n. A person who forms opinions about religions 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.
However, a precise definition is at best difficult, as the word freethought is defined differently by different persons.In principle, one could be a freethinker and simultaneously believe in the existence of a God, provided the basis for that latter belief comes from rational arguments, rather than arguments of authority or tradition. However, most atheist freethinkers will be reluctant to accept deists among freethinkers, because these atheists do not think that rational arguments exist to support deism.
We point out there are strong ties with skepticism and secular humanism, though like atheist, these words are not interchangable with freethinker.
The term bright has been recently (at least after July 2003) applied to those of freethinking mentality, who stress a naturalistic as opposed to supernatural worldview. It remains to be seen if this new word will "catch."