"free thinker"...

[JohnR7]

Actually John, I think for myself. I have been told many times I am, "free thinker"...it has worked against me, quite a few times. Most people, who are trying to force their agenda, do not like people who cannot be herded like sheep and told what to think and how. As I mentioned before, I went to a Catholic School High School...they do not like people who question, it that setting

I know what you mean a little bit, because I was in the Episcopal Church, and I had priests tell me that I was to accept their interpretation of scripture. My first question to them was: Are you going to be there on judgement day to defend me? They always said NO. So my second question was: Where is the door, because I am out of here. I did not look back either.

We of course believe that we are to be lead by the Holy Spirit of God. Perhaps that means we allow God to do our thinking for us. Be we do not allow man to do our thinking for us.

Still, I wonder, do people really think for themselves? Do people really have origional thoughts. Or do they just pick and choose the thoughts that already exist that they agree with. Rather than to let someone else do the picking for them.

My experance seems to be that if I present a thought that no one has ever heard before, it tends to upset them.

 

[ThePhoenix]

I know the feeling. You start talking on one subject, and everyone pigeonholes you as "liberal" or "conservative." Then they're all mad when something comes up that they support and I don't. I enevitably hear "Fence sitter!" and they act all betrayed. Sorry, but agreeing with you on one subject doesn't mean I support you on everything.

I've also noticed the tendancy for people to borrow ideas. My favorite is when they link to some arguement that supposedly refutes yours, when in fact it was already refuted. Then they get so offended when you point out their link is bogus (of course they can't understand why you think that, because they didn't understand the link in the first place...).

 

[lucaspa]

My experance seems to be that if I present a thought that no one has ever heard before, it tends to upset them.

It doesn't upset us. We simply take that idea, assume it is true, make deductions from the idea that have consequences, and then test the idea by looking for the consequences.

The problem is that you don't do this, so you never eliminate your wrong ideas BEFORE you post. You get upset when we do your job and show the idea to be wrong. And say that our falsification of the idea is us being upset.

Basically, this is a complaint because we don't bow down and accept whatever you say to be true because you say it.

 

[ThePhoenix]

It doesn't upset us. We simply take that idea, assume it is true, make deductions from the idea that have consequences, and then test the idea by looking for the consequences.

The problem is that you don't do this, so you never eliminate your wrong ideas BEFORE you post. You get upset when we do your job and show the idea to be wrong. And say that our falsification of the idea is us being upset.

Basically, this is a complaint because we don't bow down and accept whatever you say to be true because you say it.

I was giving him the benefit of the doubt and assuming that he meant the general case, not specifically that we're getting annoyed at him for doubting the existance of Iridium and supernovas. We shouldn't be so judgemental, it isn't christian... Oh wait...

 

[LorentzHA]

Still, I wonder, do people really think for themselves? Do people really have origional thoughts. Or do they just pick and choose the thoughts that already exist that they agree with. Rather than to let someone else do the picking for them..

Most people do not have original thoughts..That is why preaching is such a lucrative business. Advertising agencies know it too.

My experance seems to be that if I present a thought that no one has ever heard before, it tends to upset them.

Such as? Not trying to be argumentative..I would just like a few examples. I do not always succeed but I try to observe a problem from every angle and come up with new ideas about that issue or problem. I have had people introduce me to others as a "free thinker." I take it as a compliment, (Especially living in "The Bible Belt"). Usually they do not mean it as a compliment because I am someone who is unable to be guilted into "visiting" their church and help pay their Pastor's Lexus payment, via the collection basket. This week I had one Dr. at school tell me I was a "free thinker" and it was "refreshing to see". It is possible that my thoughts are not that different than other people it is just that I am not inhibited about expressing mine. I have been that way since I was a little girl they could not stop me then....I doubt I will ever change.

 

[LorentzHA]

I know the feeling. You start talking on one subject, and everyone pigeonholes you as "liberal" or "conservative." Then they're all mad when something comes up that they support and I don't. I enevitably hear "Fence sitter!" and they act all betrayed. Sorry, but agreeing with you on one subject doesn't mean I support you on everything.

Yes, people do not seem to feel comfortable until they put other people into a box with a title on the lid. Once there is a title, then they feel they understand it and then are able to make a judgment about it. I see that a lot in this forum with creationist that pop in. If someone questions their religious beliefs or points out areas of the Bible that are illogical or in conflict with other parts they slap, "atheist" on it. Instead of having to examine their own belief system, they would rather say that anyone intellectual enough to point out flaws is "of the Devil". This gives way to a good nights sleep for them.