Herein we continue, from the previous segments, considering objections raised by an Atheist from “The Skeptic Arena” who goes by the pseudonym “Neo” with regards to my repository website TrueFreethinker’s “About” page during a June 28, 2014 AD podast. In that which follows, you will find the contents of my About page in italics, his comments underlined and my replies in regular font.
Yet, since the Judeo-Christian can think beyond, for example, materialistic parameters we can be true freethinkers.
No Ken, free thinking does not include delusions. Reread the definition.
We already did so and noted that “the” definition allowed for religious opinions; my opinion is that theism is true. Also, he again condemns delusion without providing a premise upon which to do so.
Atheists who have commandeered the term Freethought
Ken, Atheists didn’t commandeer the term “free thought” – Noah Webster did.
Let us see what Noah Webster had to say; Merriam-Webster on freethought, “unorthodox attitudes or beliefs; specifically : 18th century deism” so a person could believe in God, hold to deism, and be engaging in freethought. Moreover, anywhere in the world where Christians are a minority a Christian would be engaging in freethought since their doctrine would “unorthodox.”
How about Merriam Webster on freethinker, this is very much like the Dictionary.com definition we have already discussed and yet, note that two definitions are offered, “a person who forms his or her own opinions about important subjects (such as religion and politics) instead of accepting what other people say.”
This is exactly how I came to accept Jesus as Messiah despite of my secular upbringing and being a Jew. And “one who forms opinions on the basis of reason independently of authority; especially : one who doubts or denies religious dogma” I certainly did form opinions on the basis of reason independently of authority as I was raised secular and non-Christian as a Jew and as for “religious dogma” well, I not only doubt but reject, for example, Catholic dogma, based on reason independently of authority but hold to traditional biblical dogmas, if they maybe referred to as such, again based on reason independently of authority since I came to them from the outside.
complain that Christians cannot be Freethinkers because they adhere to the Christian worldview.
Ken, Atheists are not complaining. We are just fine with the definition as it stands. You are the one bending yourself into a pretzel trying to redefine the word.
Seems that Neo is going to have to 1) contend with the fact that definitions change over time, 2) reread Dictionary.com and Merriam Webster and 3) consider that which I state about my background and how I came to accept Jesus as Messiah, how I became a Jewish-Christian.
Yet, they commit the same alleged fallacy by adhering to atheism in disguise (or openly).
Ken, Atheism is not something you can “adhere to.” It is a rejection of religious bull*** – nothing more.
Finally, close to the end of his statements, we get Neo’s personal definition of “Atheism”…unless he is quoting a dictionary, that is; which does not seem to be the case. Of course, Atheists adhere to Atheism which is why they are Atheists. For example, on Neo’s definition an Atheist adheres to “a rejection of religious bull…” which is that to which Neo adheres. See my previous article What does “Atheism” mean? to note how Neo’s definition is simply unknown in reference works (unless he can provide a citation).
Certainly, there are true and honest Freethinkers on both, and many other, sides of the issue.
Ken, not according to the definition.
By now, this is a moot point.
It is to these that this website is dedicated.
Ken, your web site is to free thinking … as fracking is to renewable energy.
I must say that at one point, Neo wrote me back and stated, “I almost dropped your show for different one. That’s because I usually go after…” and here was a reference to a certain bodily orifice, “But the more I delved into your site, the more you didn’t seem to fit the mold.”
Feel free to contact me if you wish to have me present one or more lectures. As you can see from the contents of True Freethinker I have researched a great variety of religions and worldviews so feel free to recommend a topic and set up a lecture (or series of lectures).
Ken, the only way I would ever try to convince someone to attend one of your lectures, is if I wanted to punish them. Now run along and play with your imaginary friends.
Well, there it is.
He also noted:
Ghost Worshipers really are a special kind of crazy … aren’t they?
He also posted a photo of me, noting:
And here’s Ken giving one of his brainwashing lectures.
And lastly: Now let me tell you about this invisible guy who created the universe using His magic powers. But one word of warning: do NOT … piss Him off!
He seems to have quoted this, as it was within quotations within the document section of his podcast.
Overall, he made his attempts but failed on logical and theological grounds as his logic is weighed and found wanting and his understanding of the Bible even more.
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