Can a religious person be a "free thinker"?

Question

Can a religious person be a "free thinker"?

Answer 1

Yes.  Many scientific advancements have come from Christians.  Christians used to be the ones who built universities in our nation.

Answer 2

Yes, but an option a lot of religious don't accept. For to follow the crowd is easier.

Answer 3

I assuming you are a "free thinker" as the phrase may mean. think about this:

if you believe there is no god, and there isn't. then you are smart. but for what benefit? you still die someday right?

if you believe there is no god and there is. then you're s***w big time. when you die someday. right?

if you believe in the wrong god. you are still s***w if not worse for sure, since you still die someday, right?

this is as free as you can think, being smart or s***w by own choice. right?

Any other questions please advise.

Answer 4

Well, yes and no.  Taking anything on faith is pretty much the opposite of "free thinking" (which I'm going to use as a synonym of rational thinking here) so anything that has to do with religion is going to be problematic, however, religious people can be completely rational and open-minded on any other topic.

Also, it depends on the degree of faith, there are people who are "certain" of their faith, who will admit that no matter what facts should come to light, they will not change their beliefs, that they essentially believe their religion regardless of what reality has to say about it.  There are others who are more introspective and do believe in whatever religion they subscribe to, but are willing to examine their faith and change some or all aspects of it.

Answer 5

No. Free thinking is a sin.

Answer 6

No. They are all apart of the flock and can't think for themselves.

Answer 7

Free thinker means that you are willing to take in all the info available and that you decide for yourself what it is you are going to believe in.

It amazes me when atheists claim that they are free thinkers moreso than religious people.  Why?  They have their minds set in stone as to what it is they dont believe.  If taking a definitive stand on something makes you closeminded or not a free thinker then I guess they arent, either, because they have taken a definitive stand.

If you decide whats best for you then you are a free thinker.

We are all influenced by those around us and society in general.  Noone is independent in their thinking.  Everyone has been influenced and had ideas put in their heads by others.

Religious people can be every bit as free thinking as atheists and atheists can be every bit as closeminded as religious people.

Answer 8

That depends, if you are religious because your parents indoctrinated you with a particular set of beliefs that you do not question in later life, then you're not a free thinker. On the other hand, you could be a free thinker first, and then decide to introduce a spiritual element into your life by choosing the appropriate religion most consistent with your beliefs.

Answer 9

Quakers are. They are very religious in that they really try to live their lives as they see the bible telling them to. Public service, no participation in wars.

But they are very socially progressive. Found in many Greens parties across the world, attracted by the inclusive philosophy of grassroots politics and community action.

So yeah, and there must be others. Individuals and church groups.

Don't make the mistake of lumping all religious people together. They come in all different shaoes and sizes, just like atheists. Some are narrow minded and some are not.

Answer 10

I think a spiritual person can, but a religious person???  Hmmm....depends on the religion. Maybe a Buddhist could, but the others....I rather doubt it. They would be branded as heretical.

You have to remember, most large organized religions are in fact, extremely totalitarian regimes. I mean they don't SAY that, but that's how they act. They demand obedience, one-thinking, and unquestioning devotion to the "state".

Answer 11

apparently

Answer 12

As usual, words and terms can be defined in many ways and people can play games with words.  In the way the term is currently being used it would not seem possible for a religious person to be a free thinker.  But if you want to make an argument then you have to make it.

Answer 13

yes...i think they more free in their thinking than atheists...many atheists on this site or very narrow minded...atheists need proof of something before they believe it exists...why do we search for cures for cancer when there is no evidence we will find cures...it takes some faith to look for something without proof you will find it...

Answer 14

Absolutely not.

Religious people will argue that they can, but the real answer is that all of their "thinkings" have to co-exist with their religious beliefs. They are not allowed to think in out of bounds areas.

Answer 15

Yes, it's possible.  Not all of them are close minded.

Answer 16

If religious people wasn't free thinkers then they would never do anything other than what their religion says

Answer 17

religion is only bound by what society aloows it to be... think fo christianity, but how many different denominations are there for christianity???? lets get some answers yea?

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NYC144k/

Answer 18

Yes.  Absolutely.  There are those who were born to follow.  They need somebody to direct them and they follow like puppets.  But it's still their choice to do so.

God gave us our own will to do whatever we choose to do.  When I walk into a church wearing old clothes and people stare at me with disgust, I know I'm in the wrong place.  If I walk in and they smile and welcome me, I figure I'll stay for a while.  These are my ways.

I'll listen to the teachings.  But if I have any doubts about any of it or simply disagree with anything, I will bring it to their attention.  Then if they can explain it to me to my satisfaction, I continue to stay.  If not and it's serious enough, I'll move on.

What I believe is what I choose to believe.  I have my own ideas about religion.  And for myself, I believe I'm right.  Yet I won't say that mine is the only way.  But as a "free thinker", it has to feel right to me.

I hope I've explained myself well enough to be understood.  

So my answer to your question is;  Yes.  A religious person can be a "free thinker".  Have a good day.

Answer 19

No.  That is absolutely forbidden by all religions.  Religions need their followers to remain as ignorant, uninformed, and unread as humanly possible.

Answer 20

Sure.  You can choose a thought to follow and interpret any of your beliefs any way you like.

It depended on how your defined "free thinker", really.

Answer 21

That's an oxymoron.

Answer 22

A spiritual person can be a "free thinker"

A religious "free thinker" is an oxymoron.

The object of any religion is to eliminate any free and undirected thought.

Answer 23

By that line of reasoning, no one is a free thinker, whatever it is.

EVERYONE believes something that they cannot personally prove to someone else...Religion just has that tag, but lots of other trains of thought may just as well have it.

People just have different standards for what they will accept as proof, whatever anyone else thinks of it.

It means nothing.

I think bigoted attitudes based on those disagreements are far more worrisome.

Answer 24

When s/he discards the need for any invisible "god", then yes.

Answer 25

I think anyone can be a free thinker.  Thinking freely really means to be able to think the way you want.  If you want to have a mind set that their is no God you are thinking freely, if you want to have the mind set that there is a God you are thinking freely.  It's their choice, you can think there is God then tomorrow think there isn't.  Thinking is always free, stupidity comes at a cost.

Answer 26

In my opinion, a religious person can be a "free thinker" if that religion comes from within that person rather than being imposed on that person; otherwise, the person would choose to free him/herself of that religion. The Jesuits are (as a group) free thinkers vis-a-vis the Catholic Church. At some point people find they have to cooperate with one another, and this may take the form of religion, until such point that it becomes overbearing. Different people have different tolerances, and what is too much for one person may be insufficient for another, and "religious" may be relative.