I recently saw an advertisement for a student group here on campus that said, "Don't believe in God? Neither do we! Individuals for Freethought." According to the group's Web site, Freethought is "thinking without the restraints of religious dogma, revelation, authoritarianism, tradition or prejudice."
To be a freethinker, one must reject these things. The group claims "freethinkers use reason and science to form their own conclusions about morality and the nature of the universe." To make the position clear, the site says Freethought is different from free thought in that Freethought is "a historical tradition of thought and discourse that traces primarily back to the Enlightenment and combines free thought with doubt or disbelief regarding supernatural views, particularly traditional religions," whereas free thought is merely "critical reflection" and "many reflective people are free thinkers in this sense, including many religious believers."
The main premise of this group is hopelessly illogical. The group that claims to reject dogma, in fact, has a dogma of its own. The members declare that to be a Freethinker, one must subscribe to the idea that dogmas are merely a "restraint" on coming to "conclusions about morality and the nature of the universe." What good, then, is the group? It depends on a dogma to restrain members, and then decries the restraint of dogmas.
In the FAQ section of its Web site is yet another fallacy. The group claims on the main page that "tradition" is another "restraint" on those who are not members of the group. However, as quoted earlier, the group tell us that Freethought itself is a "historical tradition." Tradition and dogma are not wrong in and of themselves. If they are true, why should one not give them intellectual assent?
On the issue of using reason to come to conclusions, I think it's important to note that reason alone can never be sufficient. Using reason to prove that reason can lead someone to truth is a circular argument. A person must have faith that reason can lead him or her to the truth.
I am a strict Catholic. I believe all dogmas held and taught by the Catholic Church. Also, I accept Darwin's theory of evolution and the Big Bang theory, a theory put forth by a Catholic priest named Monsignor Georges-Henri Lemaitre. I harbor no hatred toward the members of other religious sects or schools of thought. I might disagree with other people, but I defend their right to disagree. However, I am no philosophical relativist. I believe that there is an objective Truth. I believe Catholic dogmas because they are firmly based on both faith and reason. I do not believe them because I have been told to or because I am incapable of understanding other views.
My religious beliefs and my views on science are not in contradiction. I prefer to let science describe science and theology describe theology. Science does not intend to describe morality; therefore to ask science to do so is a moot point. In the same way, theology and philosophy do not intend to describe the physical world; to ask this of theology and philosophy is asking something outside of their scopes.
Be critical of the things you read and hear. Analyze the beliefs of groups you are considering joining and your beliefs. Discuss your views with others, and if another person's viewpoint holds up to a rigorous logical test, consider adopting it.
No one should be forced to believe anything. Exercise your ability as an individual to think freely.
Levi Russell is a senior in economics. Please send comments to opinion@spub.ksu.edu.
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23 comments
If you understood what being an atheist is like, you wouldn't claim that we have dogma. Atheists agree with each other on almost nothing, apart from there not being a higher power ruling us. Often times we don't even agree on that, as some say that if there is one, he doesn't care about us and has no reason to, and some say that a higher power cannot be proven or disproven. There is nothing dogmatic about freethinkers because we relish our differences instead of our commonalities, as with so many Christians and, I must say, Catholics, who choose to adhere to the same political affiliations, interpretation of scripture, and lifestyles. Many of you are so far down the rabbit hole, you don't even realize you're in there any more. I joined IF because I knew something like this was going to happen, that there would be a blatant attack and following controversy. In no uncertain terms, you have attacked us, under the guise of your personal "opinion". However, your opinion, like your religion, is based on half truths, misinformation, and fear. The only dogma I hold is that living in fear of God is not living, that living in willful ignorance is laziness, and that rejecting the opinion of the majority is not treason, it's critical thinking, something that Kansas State University claims to teach it's students. Perhaps if you had thought critically, you would realize that your own bias has blinded you from understanding both sides of this issue.
"So how many Free thinkers made their way to the Ravi Zacharias lecture?"- As I counted there were 6 members from our group that were present at that speech, myself included. The tickets were given to us by members of Chi Alpha ministries who have two regular members that attend our meetings.How many theists were at the lecture by Dan Barker on Monday night?From the Khan!:
"Just a quick question in addition. What's the point of even having a group? Seems to me that it's just a support group for atheists who need to know other people agree with them."-Whats the point of having the group Cats for Christ. Chi Alpha ministries, Cru, W.O.W., or other groups?It is human nature that we want to socialize with people that think like ourself and have the same general interests. It's the same reason why football players often socialize with other football players, or drummers socialize with other drummers, or Christians socialize with other Christians, or atheists socialize with other atheists.We all like to be around people that are like us. Individuals for Freethought is the only student group on campus that openly welcomes both non-religious and religious individuals alike. While our group is largely populated by atheists we try not to make a claim of being "an atheist group." We are a group for anyone with an inquisitive mind to come and enjoy the company of other like minded people.This group happens to be largely populated by atheists because it is the only group on campus (and furthermore, the only group locally) that offers a place for atheists to socialize with other atheists.Quoted from "the Khan!":
"Why do you care what I believe?" -This can get in to personal opinion and the arguments can go many different directions. I personally do not care if a religious person wants to practice a religion, that's their choice. There are some great things that can be attributed to religion and I have no quarrels with individuals that want to pray, fast, worship, attend church, form religious groups, etcetera.However, on the whole religion is a possible danger. While religion can be a great thing it can also be a bad thing. I personally have received death threats and been called numerous derogatory names both in person and over the internet by people of various faiths. Religion allows some individuals to come to the conclusion that they are superior to others. Take for example the political and social fight over gay-marriage rights. The main opponents of gay-marriage are churches and religious individuals using scripture from the Bible to reconcile their treatment of homosexual men and women.Religion has also hampered scientific education and research. Places such as the Institute for Creation Research employs trickery, fabrication, and outright lies in an attempt to lead people to the idea that evolution is a lie conjured up by mad scientists to dispense away with God. I note terms such as "evilution" and "intelligent design" as pass offs to scientifically backed understanding of our world... all of course supported by religion.
I can't come to a good conclusion as to why an Atheist would want me to "convert" from my beliefs to theirs or to simply stop believing in God. There is no reason other than they want me to be just like them. There's logical reasons for Christians to be converting people, but atheists? Come now.