Freethought

[Guest lisa49]

An idea described by freethinkers.

Definition

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freethought

[Guest Keira]

A good school of thought. But to be honest, I kinda cringe at the way it places science and logic above emotion, which is such an important part of being human. If we conducted ourselves only according to science and logic, without letting emotion influence us at all, I think we'd have a rather bland existence.

[Guest lisa49]

Emotions are fine for getting the full effect of human life even necessary. But dealing with the physical world they have no effect. Emotions are for living logic is for doing.

[Guest lisa49]

Rights and Liberty

Fortunately I live in a country with a bill of rights. However rights always have responsibilities attached. If you have the right to speak freely so does everyone else so the responsibility is to prevent harm. The right to vote is followed by the responsibility to vote. The Government is composed of leaders that the public chooses. Once they are in office for how ever number of years it is the responsibility of the citizens that disagree to write letters and other peaceable ways to let them know but in the end we have the responsibility to obey the laws till they are changed.

Liberty is the freedom to do what we want with out disobeying the laws. We can choose to do something or not without repercussion. We can eat what we like as long as it is not an illegal drug or we can choose to grow and eat or our own creations genetically altered or not. Liberty is both positive and negative in the fact that we can, or maybe we do not want to follow some practice.

Do animals have rights? Not according to the Constitution but there have been laws to stop specific mistreatment. There is also the liberty to give certain animals like dogs more freedom then say a pig but in return dogs accept the responsibility of protecting property and provide other tasks to help humans.

We do have the liberty to express compassion but no one has the right to demand it. This is because in our secular society no belief or religion is put above the physical plan of laws and rights. The liberty to practice your own beliefs stops with the rights of others and the laws.

Now Freethought might not be a philosophy everyone wants to embrace but it is a system which people can live their own happiness in a framework with everyone else.

As for myself I reserve compassion for those I think are deserving of it and do not superficially give it to all.

[Guest Zenda]

Kia Ora Lisa,

I guess by the looks of it, I ruffled your feathers somewhat and I truly apologise for doing so...I hope you will accept my humble apology...

I have long stopped burdening myself with resentment towards others...I can't see the point in carrying this uncomfortable, unpleasent burden that's just a catalyst for anger and hatred...

BTW if it's any help... I enjoyed your input and fisty debate...

Happy mindfulness

Metta Jendar

[Guest lisa49]

I did post a thread on books in the general section. I use books as to verify facts because the authors are good writers unlike me and they have references to science and other books and institutions that will prove the facts that I mention. There is a Book called "Freethinkers" a fascinating read.

[Guest Zenda]

I did post a thread on books in the general section. I use books as to verify facts because the authors are good writers unlike me and they have references to science and other books and institutions that will prove the facts that I mention. There is a Book called "Freethinkers" a fascinating read.

Kia Ora Lisa,

Re: ‘Freethinkers’

No I haven’t read the book only the excerpts…Which I thought others might also be interested in reading too…

http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Religion/Freethinkers.html

As of late I haven’t had time to sit down with a good book-too busy with my studies, but I do like reading and like yourself, non fiction, or on the odd occasion fact based fiction…

Happy mindfulness

Metta Jendar

[Guest lisa49]

What are you studying? My past studies were Engineering Sciences, energy, electronics, with minors in Philosophy and Psychology. now a passing fancy is history, world issues, poets, and some new age metaphysics just for fun.

[Guest Zenda]

Kia Ora Lisa,

Well nothing as heavy as what you having been studying - it sounds like you are well knowledgable on a number of subjects, I’m not much of a academic as such, just the humble computer skills for employment at my local ‘adult education community centre’, of which I find quite interesting…

However I was a keen student of ‘life experience’ at the 'University of Life' and have a Ph.D. in experience, mind you I still attend university every day sometimes as a student other times as a lecturer…We live and learn!

Happy mindfulness

Metta Jendar

[Guest lisa49]

I did have formal training in main frames in the punch card days but now that would be showing my age. The training these days only covers how to use the software.