What is a freethinker?

Answer

A freethinker is an individual who asserts to form opinions based on reason, rather than tradition, authority, or established beliefs. Typically, freethinking is linked to those who are skeptical of religion. Freethinkers are naturalistic and do not derive morality from a standard dictated by a higher being.

Free thought challenges conventional social or religious belief systems. What brings freethinkers together is not necessarily their beliefs but the manner in which they uphold them. If a freethinker adopts beliefs because they were told to them as true when they were young, or if they adhere to them because they provide hope or happiness, their thinking is not deemed free. Conversely, if they embrace beliefs because, upon thoughtful consideration, they find a preponderance of evidence in favor of the belief, then their thinking is free, regardless of how unconventional their conclusions may appear.

Most freethinkers profess a disbelief in God (although some Deists also identify as freethinkers). Being naturalistic, freethinkers perceive reality as confined to what is directly observable through the natural senses or by reason. They do not regard the abundant indications of God in our world as compelling grounds to believe in God. Nor do they acknowledge the Bible as God’s revelation through which humans can know Him. The Bible states, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1;Psalm 53:1). Freethinkers disregard the biblical injunction to “lean not on your own understanding” «Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. », (Proverbs 3:5) and align with the description in Romans 1:22: “Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.”

Freethinkers believe that true freedom can only be attained by ridding oneself of all superstitions.On holy scriptures, creeds, messiahs, and other “untruths.” For them, all meaning is found and created by the self, since meaning originates in one’s mind. The Bible tells us that freedom is found in Christ «If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. », (John 8:36). No one can bring freedom on his own. People are bound by sin until Jesus cleanses them and breaks the power that sin and death hold over them (Romans 6). God gives everyone the freedom to choose what to believe, but this does not mean that every idea someone thinks is true. Objective truth exists, whether we choose to believe it or not. By believing ideas “free from God,” freethinkers use the freedom God gives them to live ensnared by lies. They are bound, not free.

Most freethinkers are humanists, basing morality on human needs, not what they consider to be imagined “cosmic absolutes.” Often, their worldview includes a respect for the planet and animals, as well as a strong commitment to equality. While freethinkers are trying to do what they perceive is right, and while it is commendable to be a kind person, to recycle, and to preserve and uphold the value of life, it will always fall short. There will never be enough reason to continue doing these things—nor the unity to agree on what is right and wrong—if belief is solely the result of individual reason. Furthermore, even good, humanitarian deeds are like filthy rags to God apart from His Spirit «But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. », (Isaiah 64:6). They can never lead to a right standing with God. Any attempt to bring goodness to the world without God is done out of wrong and selfish motives. The “goodness” of man apart from Christ is ultimately futile.

In “The Ethics of Belief,” mathematician and philosopher William Kingdon Clifford summarizes the freethinker’s belief that “it is wrong always, everywhere, and for anyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence.” It is true that believing something without sufficient evidence would be foolish. The Bible encourages us to have a defense for our beliefs «but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: », (1 Peter 3:15). Historically, scientifically, and archaeologically, the Bible can withstand questioning and provide overwhelming evidence for belief (Luke 1:1-4; Acts 26:25-26). The Bible promises us that if we seek, we will find (Matthew 7:7-8). There is more than enough evidence to believe the truths of the Bible. Those who genuinely search for the truth will find it and will be liberated by the God who is Truth «Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. », (John 14:6).