I Find It Offensive; How About You

[Paul the Human]

These discussions always take things way too far and lose the tree within the forest. The original poster is a bit offended that the word 'freethinker' has been claimed by atheists in such a way that it is used almost as if the two words are synonymous... and he's 100% correct. Atheists refer to themselves as freethinkers for the purpose of highlighting the idea that believers are 'mind slaves to the dogma'. It's true. We feel that our thoughts are free, free to question, free to look beyond what we are told to think... and we feel that you, the believers, are not free in the same way. Your minds are enslaved by your beliefs.

(By "We", I mean "Me" and what "I" think other atheists think... obviously)

The original poster, as a believer, finds that offensive. All I can say to that is... get over it. You want to consider yourself a freethinker? Then question what you are told to think. Ask things like 'why', 'how', and 'when'. Approach every answer you are given as if it has something to prove. When someone tells you something is true, even if that someone is an authority figure, do enough research of your own to verify it before accepting it as truth. Think for yourself... even when it comes to your 'faith'.

In short... If you want to consider yourself a freethinker... Free your mind! And... remember what the Dormouse said.