It does sound like the reality of how we do things apart from the theory of to say everyone can be a freethinker. I guess if your objective is to see through the lens of logic at all times...that would be very difficult or perhaps impossible - because can we really divorce ourselves from the influence of emotion? I don't believe so. For instance, when "fight or flight" kicks in logic can fly out the window, so I guess I am trying to put some accounting on biology having divisive but ever present effects that have evolved to serve our survival best possible ways:)
Hey, how about this...."Freethinkers insist on using reason to arrive at logical conclusions to the best of thier individual capabilities". On Wed, Oct 29, 2008 at 1:59 PM, Clogtowner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Hi y'all - well if that is true, everyone is a freethinker and the > definition should be adjusted to reflect that, such as: "Freethinkers > insist on using reason, logic, and evidence as the bases for forming > reasonable and justified beliefs on some occasions and as it suits > their needs." > > On Oct 29, 1:46 pm, CrossBow <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I have to disagree Cap'n. I think personal experiences can close our > minds > > in some areas and open them in others. Could it be pain avoidance? for > > whatever reasoning flaw, some things I can apply logic to and others, > > emotion plays so much interference I can't think:) Where the > logic/emotion > > switch is...I can only make a vulgar guess.. > > > > though I would guess that some people overall are less likely to think > > logically of anything and hide their heads in the sand.... > > > > > > > > On Wed, Oct 29, 2008 at 1:39 PM, Clogtowner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote: > > > > > Hi y'all - I'm interested in your claim that we can be "freethinkers > > > in some areas of life." Do I take that to mean that some people that > > > we mutually know can think freely about sport or politics but not > > > about religion? If we assume, and Aaron and I both do, that > > > Freethought is a process, then you propose that we have the abiltiy to > > > turn on and off this process. That means we have partial or part time > > > freethinkers. Personally, I can't go along with that. I've talked to > > > many christians who seem like freethinkers until we get onto the > > > subject of religion. I don't think they are turning off their > > > freethought process, I think they just haven't got it, and my > > > assumption that they are freethinkers when discussing politics etc. is > > > erroneous. > > > > > On Oct 29, 12:04 pm, stem cell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > I agree with the point made about coming to a conclusion based on > > > > evidence (and/or lack of such). In some sense we are all closed > > > > minded...on certain topics. However, "Freethought" in Memphis > > > > Freethought Alliance (MFA) is not just about "Freethought" on god(s). > > > > For instance, there are things like certain evolutionary processes > and > > > > adaptations, quantum mechanics, neurosciences, etc. where freethought > > > > is a good thing. It is a process...free to think in various areas. > > > > MFA is not just composed of atheist who are certain there is no > > > > god...or however you want to define that term. I deny the holy > > > > spirit. How's that for closed minded? It is not a bad thing. Sagan > > > > said that one should not be so open minded that your brains fall out. > > > > Good advice. But that implies that there are areas in which haveing > a > > > > closed mind on certain things is a good thing. We are all > > > > freethinkers in some areas of life...no matter who you are. Just > some > > > > of us go one god further. :-) > > > > > > stemcell > > > > > > On Oct 29, 10:02 am, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > > > > > > Though I call myself a freethinker I may no longer actually be a > > > > > freethinker. I have been so completely atheist for so long that > if I > > > were presented > > > > > with conclusive evidence of the existence of a god I would not > likely > > > accept it. > > > > > I would find it to be more likely that someone had dropped LSD in > my > > > beer > > > > > or that I had developed a severe brain chemical imbalance or > > > something. That > > > > > would be far more likely than proof of a supernatural god. I > think > > > Aaron is > > > > > a freethinker because he seems open to new evidence. I think I > have > > > become > > > > > about as closed minded as the xians. I clearly was a freethinker > and > > > I did > > > > > arrive at my conclusions as a freethinker but now that they are > > > conclusions I > > > > > don't know that I can truly call myself a freethinker. What do > you > > > all think? > > > > > > > J. > > > > > **************Plan your next getaway with AOL Travel. Check out > > > Today's Hot > > > > > 5 Travel Deals! > > > > > ( > http://travel.aol.com/discount-travel?ncid=emlcntustrav00000001)-Hidequotedtext > - > > > > > > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - > > > > - Show quoted text - > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Memphis Freethought Alliance" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/memphisfreethoughtalliance?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
