Some time ago, I wrote a piece called "America's Most Misunderstood Minority" It was at ThemeStream, before that site went under. (You can now read it at my friend Sonya's page, The Rants of Logic.) I never used it as an Attic article, though, because many of the things in there have already been said here.
But at ThemeStream, I received a comment that made me shake my head. It took exception to my statement that non-theists are more free-thinking than theists. This isn't the first time I've heard theists say, "I'm a freethinker, too, y'know!" But the truth is, I have yet to meet one that is, really.
Oh, sure… some come a lot closer than others. For example, the theist who believes in evolution is certainly more of a freethinker than a Creationist. The theist who believes that gays should be given the right to marry is definitely more of a freethinker than the one who thinks homosexuality is an abomination that should be eradicated.
But when it comes right down to it, a theist still maintains a belief in something that defies logic and reason. They have committed their minds to a concept without a shred of evidence, or in spite of contrary evidence. I'm sorry if theists out there are upset by this characterization, but I see no way around it. True freethought would insist that the thinker apply reason and skepticism to claims of God. Theists don't do that, no matter what they say. It's impossible to believe in a deity except by using faith. And faith is contrary to reason, contrary to freethought.
