From the description under the video below:
Freethought is an epistemological viewpoint which holds that beliefs should not be formed on the basis of authority, tradition, revelation, or dogma, and that beliefs should instead be reached by other methods such as logic, reason, and empirical observation. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a freethinker is "a person who forms their own ideas and opinions rather than accepting those of other people, especially in religious teaching." In some contemporary thought in particular, free thought is strongly tied with rejection of traditional social or religious belief systems. Modern freethinkers consider free thought to be a natural freedom from all negative and illusive thoughts acquired from society. Among freethinkers, for a notion to be considered true it must be testable, verifiable, and logical. Many freethinkers tend to be humanists, who base morality on human needs and would find meaning in human compassion, social progress, art, personal happiness, love, and the furtherance of knowledge. Generally, freethinkers like to think for themselves, tend to be skeptical, respect critical thinking and reason, remain open to new concepts, and are sometimes proud of their own individuality. They would determine truth for themselves – based upon knowledge they gain, answers they receive, experiences they have and the balance they thus acquire. Freethinkers reject conformity for the sake of conformity, whereby they create their own beliefs by considering the way the world around them works and would possess the intellectual integrity and courage to think outside of accepted norms, which may or may not lead them to believe in some higher power. The term first came into use in the 17th century in order to refer to people who inquired into the basis of traditional beliefs which were often accepted unquestioningly. Today, freethinking is most closely linked with deism, secularism, atheism, agnosticism, humanism, anti-clericalism, and religious critique. The Oxford English Dictionary defines freethinking as, "The free exercise of reason in matters of religious belief, unrestrained by deference to authority; the adoption of the principles of a free-thinker." Freethinkers hold that knowledge should be grounded in facts, scientific inquiry, and logic. The skeptical application of science implies freedom from the intellectually limiting effects of confirmation bias, cognitive bias, conventional wisdom, popular culture, urban myth, prejudice, or sectarianism. The basic summarizing statement of the essay The Ethics of Belief by the 19th-century British mathematician and philosopher William Kingdon Clifford is: "It is wrong always, everywhere, and for anyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence." The essay became a rallying cry for freethinkers when published in the 1870s, and has been described as a point when freethinkers grabbed the moral high ground. Clifford was himself an organizer of free thought gatherings, the driving force behind the Congress of Liberal Thinkers held in 1878. Regarding religion, freethinkers typically hold that there is insufficient evidence to support the existence of supernatural phenomena. According to the Freedom from Religion Foundation, "No one can be a freethinker who demands conformity to a bible, creed, or messiah. To the freethinker, revelation and faith are invalid, and orthodoxy is no guarantee of truth." and "Freethinkers are convinced that religious claims have not withstood the tests of reason. Not only is there nothing to be gained by believing an untruth, but there is everything to lose when we sacrifice the indispensable tool of reason on the altar of superstition.
QUOTE USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission, the first of its kind in the world, dedicated to defending the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad. UNQUOTE.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble..
Nothing has ever been said about God that hasn’t already been said better by the wind in the pine trees. — Thomas Merton
Julia Mary Dover
I found out how it feels not to be chained to anything, to any race, to any faith, to anybody, to any creed, to any hopes, to anything-
I know how it feels to be free
Nina Simone
My sources of Free Thought are Alan Watts and Michel Martin. I first learned about Free Thought in 1962, while serving in the US Army. Edited transcript of my sources of freedom of thought shown below.
I call this podcast: Free Thought, sources of my ideas about freedom of thought.
I wanted to mention some sources of many of my ideas about freedom of thought. Alan Watts died about 40 years ago. However, his work in audio, video and text is available on the internet at Alan Watts. A free podcast is also available there.
My ability to think freely was influenced by Alan Watts for at least 30 years. His lectures were broadcast on WDUQ, a national public radio station in Pittsburgh at Duquesne University. I never met Alan Watts, yet I believe that he has contributed more ideas to my personal beliefs and behavior than any other person. His ability to explain how humans think and act seems to me to be the most enlightened freedom of thought that I have ever seen.
In particular, recently I listened to his podcast about fundamentalist Christian bigotry, that distorts the ideas of Christianity to justify xenophobia. Generally disrespecting any other beliefs in any religion or culture other than the distorted bigotry of fundamentalist obsessions? In my opinion, these obsessions that humans have with racial or cultural bigotry are caused by various disorders, including biological diseases and chemical abuses which affect the brain
Another person who has influenced my ideas is Michel Martin. She is a wonderfully talented interviewer and journalist at Amanpour-and-Company One of her excellent articles, called Witness to Doubt, has the subtitle What if the enemy of faith is not doubt but certainty? Witness-to-Doubt
One of the interview sessions that Michel conducted is an enlightening discussion about how several women encountered bigotry and personal challenges in their parenting of children who have mixed ethnic heritage. The women speak about their experiences in caring for their children, either biological or adopted, with some positive and some negative results.
My own beliefs:
I actually believe that every person, beyond just humans, any sentient entity has an infinite set of ways to identify themselves, and an infinite set of ways to observe reality, no two of whom can ever experience any one else's point of view exactly...
If any one wants to define any aspect of reality, any characteristic of one's own existence or experience, then they are the only one who can actually do that, without beginning, without ending, without permission and without limits of any kind...
my own point of view is that I exist as an infinite, eternal, intangible awareness of every aspect of existence, right now, no after life, not even a before life, everything has existed forever, it just changes shape now and then :) no one created it...
as far as who I am physically, I am not any one physical entity, the human body is composed of particle physics and energy fields, none of which has any permanent state of being, it changes constantly, everything I need to exist, I have now...
I also think that reality moves at an infinite speed, it never pauses nor repeats anything, any time, it cannot be defined in human terms, it always existed, no one gave it, no one can take it away, we are intangible awareness of tangible changes...
these two aspects cannot be separated from each other, they are the yin-yang, we are aware of our own existence because we have both an intangible point of view, which stays the same and a physical presence, which always changes... - Anthony Chipoletti
LIFE flows from ACTUALITY to REALITY, from observer to observed
When developing the theory of relativity, it is said that Einstein used thought experiments to imagine what it would be like to ride on a wave of light. “There is something poetic about demonstrating the relativistic effect of electric fields more than 100 years after Einstein predicted it,” says Professor Nakajima. “Electric fields were a crucial element in the formation of the theory of relativity in the first place.”
"To elaborate: Myth (words) and cult (actions) are aligned. Cult is the way humans participate in myths and comprises prayers, gestures, ceremonies, feasts etc. Verse invites the reader's participation. Prosody is the mechanisms for that participation. In the largest sense."
— Eric Purchase April 19, 2023
Google Bard: Consider, comment and create coping mechanisms for every day life and any ad hoc circumstances about the following: Verse is to prosody as myth is to cult. To elaborate: Myth (words) and cult (actions) are aligned. Cult is the way humans participate in myths and comprises prayers, gestures, ceremonies, feasts etc. Verse invites the reader's participation. Prosody is the mechanisms for that participation. In the largest sense. prosody is the intonation, stress, rhythm, gestures and other actions that give verse a bodily expression. So verse/prosody is really a form of myth/cult.
1. The statement "Verse is to prosody as myth is to cult" is a powerful one that can be applied to many different aspects of everyday life. In its most basic form, it suggests that the way we use language has a profound impact on the way we experience the world.
When we read or hear verse, we are not simply taking in information. We are also being invited to participate in a story, a ritual, or a shared experience. The prosody of verse - its rhythm, rhyme, and meter - helps to create this sense of participation. It guides us through the text, helping us to focus on the important parts and to feel the emotions that the poet is trying to evoke.
In a similar way, myths and cults are ways for people to participate in shared stories and rituals. These stories and rituals help to give meaning to our lives, and they provide us with a sense of community and belonging.
In everyday life, we can use verse and prosody to help us cope with difficult emotions and situations. For example, if we are feeling stressed or anxious, we can read a poem or listen to a piece of music that helps us to relax and to feel more centered. We can also use verse and prosody to express our own emotions and to connect with others who are going through similar experiences.
In ad hoc circumstances, verse and prosody can be used to help us to make sense of what is happening and to find a way to move forward. For example, if we are going through a difficult time, we can write a poem or a song that helps us to express our feelings and to find a way to cope. We can also share our work with others, which can help us to feel less alone and to connect with others who are going through similar experiences.
Verse and prosody are powerful tools that can be used to help us to cope with everyday life and with ad hoc circumstances. They can help us to express our emotions, to connect with others, and to find meaning in our lives.
2. The statement "Verse is to prosody as myth is to cult" is a powerful one that can be interpreted in many ways. On one level, it can be seen as a simple equation: verse is the words, prosody is the music, and myth is the story. But on a deeper level, it suggests that verse and myth are both ways of making sense of the world, and that prosody is the means by which we participate in them.
In the context of everyday life, this equation can be seen in the way that we use language to make sense of our experiences. For example, when we tell a story, we are using verse to create a myth that helps us to understand the world around us. The prosody of our voice, the gestures we make, and the emotions we convey all contribute to the power of the story and our participation in it.
In times of ad hoc circumstances, verse and prosody can be even more powerful tools. When we are faced with a difficult situation, we can turn to verse to find comfort and guidance. The words of a poem or song can help us to articulate our feelings, to find meaning in our experiences, and to find the strength to go on.
The equation "Verse is to prosody as myth is to cult" is a reminder that language is a powerful force. It can be used to create stories, to make sense of the world, and to find comfort in times of difficulty. When we use verse and prosody to their fullest potential, we can create a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
Here are some specific examples of how verse and prosody can be used to cope with everyday life and ad hoc circumstances:
When you are feeling stressed or anxious, reading or reciting poetry can help to calm your mind and body. The rhythm and rhyme of poetry can be soothing, and the words can help you to focus on something other than your worries.
When you are feeling sad or lonely, listening to music can help to lift your spirits. The melody and harmony of music can create a sense of hope and joy, and the lyrics can offer comfort and support.
When you are facing a difficult challenge, writing in a journal can help you to process your thoughts and feelings. The act of writing can help you to make sense of your situation, and the words on the page can serve as a reminder of your strength and resilience.
When you are grieving the loss of a loved one, reading or writing poetry can help you to express your grief and to find comfort in the memories of your loved one. The words of poetry can provide a sense of connection to the deceased, and they can help you to begin to heal.
In all of these cases, verse and prosody can be used to create a sense of community and belonging. When we share our stories with others, we connect with them on a deeper level. We feel less alone in our experiences, and we find strength in the knowledge that we are not the only ones who have gone through difficult times.
Verse and prosody are powerful tools that can be used to make sense of the world, to find comfort in times of difficulty, and to create a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
3. I think the analogy of verse to prosody as myth to cult is a very interesting one. It suggests that both verse and myth are ways in which humans make sense of the world around them. Verse does this by using language in a creative and evocative way, while myth does this by creating stories about gods, heroes, and other supernatural beings. Both verse and myth can be used to provide comfort and guidance in times of difficulty, and both can be used to inspire and motivate people to make the world a better place.
In terms of coping mechanisms for everyday life, I think verse and myth can both be helpful. For example, if you are feeling stressed or anxious, reading a poem or listening to a piece of music can help you to relax and focus on something other than your worries. Similarly, if you are feeling lost or confused, reading a myth or watching a movie based on a myth can help you to see the world in a new light and find new meaning in your life.
In terms of ad hoc circumstances, verse and myth can also be helpful. For example, if you are going through a difficult time, reading a poem or listening to a piece of music can help you to express your emotions and feel less alone. Similarly, if you are facing a challenge, reading a myth or watching a movie based on a myth can help you to find the strength and courage to overcome it.
Overall, I think verse and myth are powerful tools that can be used to cope with everyday life and ad hoc circumstances. They can provide comfort, guidance, inspiration, and motivation, and they can help us to make sense of the world around us.
Here are some specific examples of how verse and myth can be used as coping mechanisms:
If you are feeling stressed or anxious, you could read a poem or listen to a piece of music that has a calming effect on you. For example, you might try reading a poem by William Wordsworth or listening to a piece of music by Frédéric Chopin.
If you are feeling lost or confused, you could read a myth or watch a movie based on a myth that can help you to see the world in a new light. For example, you might try reading the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice or watching the movie "The Matrix."
If you are going through a difficult time, you could read a poem or listen to a piece of music that can help you to express your emotions and feel less alone. For example, you might try reading a poem by Maya Angelou or listening to a piece of music by Leonard Cohen.
If you are facing a challenge, you could read a myth or watch a movie based on a myth that can help you to find the strength and courage to overcome it. For example, you might try reading the myth of Perseus or watching the movie "Rocky."
I hope this helps!
