If a person is really searching for the truth, then they will latch onto it when they find it. And if you latch onto x as true, then logic dictates that any and every non-x is false. The moment you find truth you are constrained by it to reject that which is not true. So if "free thought" means "not being constrained in any way when thinking," then "free thought" can only be the enemy of truth.
brendon | Homepage | 03.31.08 - 2:09 pm | #

In combox discussions (and ocassionally arguments) with atheists, some say their biggest fear is their children becoming Christian (or worse, Catholic).

No joke.

I believe in free will and while I will do my best to raise my children to live in the Faith always, if they leave the Church I will be disappointed and pray for their return. But on the list of "big fears", I can't say that's very high up there. And I say that not to belittle my Faith, but because I wholeheartedly believe

1) Living my Faith and setting a good example for my children is an *excellent* way for them to grow into said Faith.

2) The Faith is Truth. Truth will always win, so why should I fear it losing?

At the same time, all athesits have is their hysterical proclamations regarding their non-religion religion.

Like Islam, their ardent protests and disregard for the beliefs of others is not an indication of their strength, but their extreme frailty in the face of what is True.
Amy P. | Homepage | 03.31.08 - 2:38 pm | #

That little girl is so lucky...I wish I had other people to instruct in in thinking freely...ooops nevermind...be careful what you wish for.
mcmlxix | Homepage | 03.31.08 - 3:18 pm | #

For crying out loud, if you DON'T believe in God, why would you get together for long, weekly meetings devoted to what yoou DON'T believe in?

If you don't believe in God, well, then sleep late on Sunday. Go out for a nice brunch. Go to the beach. Go jogging. Put on a pot of coffee and read the Sunday papers, whatever floats your boat.

But what could be a bigger waste of time than getting together with a bunch of people you have nothing in common with except a shared non-interest or non-belief???

I mean, it makes all the sense in the world for "Star Trek" fans to hold conventions where they can talk about their favorite show with others who share their passion. I would never attend one, but I can understand the attraction. But why would anyone attend a "Star Trek" Hates' convention?
astorian | 03.31.08 - 3:45 pm | #

Do you think they lock her in her room with a CD that repeats, "thinking freely is good, thinking freely is good..."?
Judith M. | 03.31.08 - 4:09 pm | #

I wonder how they can use terms like "good" and "heaven" and "hell" and "after death, I want to come back as a leaf on a tree" with straight faces.
If they're athiests, who decides those things?

I'm with astorian: do something else on Sunday mornings.
Heather Price | Homepage | 03.31.08 - 6:24 pm | #

Given that most atheists are materialist determinists, I can't understand how any of them could believe in "free" thought.

And for those who aren't, I'm amazed at the psychological naivete required to claim that being atheist gives one a special clarity of mind.

It's like Gnosticism on Bizarro world.
Rick | 04.01.08 - 10:32 am | #

"Free thought" means considering a number of sources before making an informed decision; not rigidly adhering to a view of the world that was written in the dark ages, and basing your life around that.

For example, if I was deciding whether to pray, I would consider the (respectable) medical studies that prove it has no effect whatsoever, and wonder whether their writers have an agenda. Not pray because supersticious people in the bronze-age did it.
I sympathise with you. I've found a militant atheist if you want to try and help him; he's at:

www.whyihatejesus.blogspot.com/
Mr Jones | Homepage | 04.04.08 - 1:03 pm | #

Don't get it Mr. Jones. If there is no God then your so called "free thoughts" are nothing more than a random set of bio-chemical reactions. You believe what you believe not because you choose to believe it but because the particular configuration of bio-neuro-chemical reactions in your brain happen to work out that way.
In a godless universe "free-thought" is a mere illusion.
BenYachov(Jim Scott 4th) | 04.05.08 - 2:54 pm | #