Let's Think 30th Nov. 2013

http://www.facebook.com/russellbertie/posts/10151972011832874:0

Let's Think....

"I never know whether I should say "Agnostic" or whether I should say "Atheist". It is a very difficult question and I daresay that some of you have been troubled by it. As a philosopher, if I were speaking to a purely philosophic audience I should say that I ought to describe myself as an Agnostic, because I do not think that there is a conclusive argument by which one prove that there is not a God.

On the other hand, if I am to convey the right impression to the ordinary man in the street I think I ought to say that I am an Atheist, because when I say that I cannot prove that there is not a God, I ought to add equally that I cannot prove that there are not the Homeric gods.

None of us would seriously consider the possibility that all the gods of homer really exist, and yet if you were to set to work to give a logical demonstration that Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, and the rest of them did not exist you would find it an awful job. You could not get such proof.

Therefore, in regard to the Olympic gods, speaking to a purely philosophical audience, I would say that I am an Agnostic. But speaking popularly, I think that all of us would say in regard to those gods that we were Atheists. In regard to the Christian God, I should, I think, take exactly the same line."

From "Am I An Atheist Or An Agnostic? A Plea For Tolerance In The Face Of New Dogmas"

Bertrand Russell (1947)

We're Thinking.....

"It has been claimed by many that Freethought does away with churches, creeds, Christs and even a God. So it does to a certain extent, but not as feared by Christians. Freethought has never said pull down your churches, burn up your creeds, crucify your savor or reject your god. No one ever knew a Freethinker to try to make laws to control people. All their efforts have been the other way, trying to tear down laws already made which control by "thou shalt" and "thou shalt not." 

If those who oppose Freethought did not strive to force all to think as they do, accept Christ by faith, believe the bible to be infallable, keep Sunday as a holy day, and work for a future reward, then our fight would be at an end instantly. 

Liberty of conscience is all we ask- not control of any class, creed or sect. Every true Freethinker accords to each individual the right to mental freedom."

Etta Semple, "Liberty of Conscience is All that We Ask" (1898)

(FFRF)