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*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_century 1711]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_century 1711]

==Definition==

==Definition==

*1: unorthodox [[attitudes]] or [[beliefs]]; specifically : 18th century [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deism deism]

*1: unorthodox [[attitudes]] or [[beliefs]]; specifically : 18th century [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deism deism]

==Description==

==Description==

'''Freethought''' is a philosophical [[viewpoint]] that holds [[opinions]] should be formed on the basis of [[logic]], [[reason]], and empiricism and not [[authority]], [[tradition]], or other [[dogmas]]. The cognitive application of freethought is known as "freethinking", and practitioners of freethought are known as "freethinkers".

'''Freethought''' is a philosophical [[viewpoint]] that holds [[opinions]] should be formed on the basis of [[logic]], [[reason]], and empiricism and not [[authority]], [[tradition]], or other [[dogmas]]. The cognitive application of freethought is known as "freethinking", and practitioners of freethought are known as "freethinkers".

Freethought holds that [[individuals]] should not [[accept]] ideas proposed as [[truth]] without recourse to [[knowledge]] and [[reason]]. Thus, freethinkers strive to build their [[opinions]] on the basis of [[facts]], scientific [[inquiry]], and logical [[principles]], independent of any logical [[fallacies]] or the intellectually limiting effects of [[authority]], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias confirmation bias], cognitive bias, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conventional_wisdom conventional wisdom], [[popular]] culture, [[prejudice]], sectarianism, tradition, urban legend, and all other [[dogmas]]. Regarding [[religion]], freethinkers hold that there is insufficient [[evidence]] to support the existence of [[supernatural]] phenomena.

Freethought holds that [[individuals]] should not [[accept]] ideas proposed as [[truth]] without recourse to [[knowledge]] and [[reason]]. Thus, freethinkers strive to build their [[opinions]] on the basis of [[facts]], scientific [[inquiry]], and logical [[principles]], independent of any logical [[fallacies]] or the intellectually limiting effects of [[authority]], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias confirmation bias], cognitive bias, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conventional_wisdom conventional wisdom], [[popular]] culture, [[prejudice]], sectarianism, tradition, urban legend, and all other [[dogmas]]. Regarding [[religion]], freethinkers hold that there is insufficient [[evidence]] to support the existence of [[supernatural]] phenomena.

A line from "Clifford's Credo" by the 19th Century British mathematician and philosopher [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Kingdon_Clifford William Kingdon Clifford] perhaps best describes the premise of freethought: "It is wrong always, everywhere, and for anyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence."[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_thinking]

A line from "Clifford's Credo" by the 19th Century British mathematician and philosopher [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Kingdon_Clifford William Kingdon Clifford] perhaps best describes the premise of freethought: "It is wrong always, everywhere, and for anyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence."[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_thinking]

==Quote==

==Quote==

When a member of a [[social]] religious [[group]] has complied with the requirements of such a [[group]], he should be [[encouraged]] to [[enjoy]] religious [[liberty]] in the full [[expression]] of his own [[personal]] [[interpretation]] of the [[truths]] of religious [[belief]] and the [[facts]] of religious [[experience]]. The [[security]] of a [[religious]] group depends on [[spiritual]] [[unity]], not on [[theological]] [[uniformity]]. A religious [[group]] should be able to [[enjoy]] the [[liberty]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_thought freethinking] without having to become "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brethren_of_the_Free_Spirit freethinkers]"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brights]. There is great [[hope]] for any church that [[worships]] the living [[God]], [[validates]] the [[brotherhood]] of [[man]], and dares to remove all creedal [[pressure]] from its members. ([[103:5|103:5.12]])

When a member of a [[social]] religious [[group]] has complied with the requirements of such a [[group]], he should be [[encouraged]] to [[enjoy]] religious [[liberty]] in the full [[expression]] of his own [[personal]] [[interpretation]] of the [[truths]] of religious [[belief]] and the [[facts]] of religious [[experience]]. The [[security]] of a [[religious]] group depends on [[spiritual]] [[unity]], not on [[theological]] [[uniformity]]. A religious [[group]] should be able to [[enjoy]] the [[liberty]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_thought freethinking] without having to become "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brethren_of_the_Free_Spirit freethinkers]"[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brights]. There is great [[hope]] for any church that [[worships]] the living [[God]], [[validates]] the [[brotherhood]] of [[man]], and dares to remove all creedal [[pressure]] from its members. ([[103:5|103:5.12]])

[[Category: Philosophy]]

[[Category: Philosophy]]