thinking

KnowSelf

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To be free, one must be allowed to think about anything he/she wishes to think about. Freedom of thought is freedom to think without restrictions imposed by third party regulators, religion etc.

Wicked in thought are those who act wickedly. It is. not what we think, but the manner in which we respond to thought.

Society condemns non-traditional outsiders from the fold due to fear of the unknown and loss of stability.

In early witch trials, men tortured and condemned women to death for thinking freely.

Early Christians were likewise condemned to death for thinking differently. Ethnic racial groups are not easily accepted into a different society due to lack of understanding, fear and rejection.

Eastern and Western society reject one another due to social difference, culture, and value of thinking differently.

Imagine the ability to think freely, without individual restraint or restriction? Is it wrong to think about death? Thinking freely gives us the ability to question and converse with God freely. God knows what we think anyway, so why not put your thoughts into words?

What if our verbal filter were removed, what would say?

Chaos and violence occurs when thoughts are suppressed and not dealt with.

Freedom to think allows all thoughts to enter our mind; conscious awareness channels response.

Even now as write this I am cautious not to say anything that may offend God. I am not a free thinker because if I were a free thinker I would exactly what is on mind without regard to God or anyone else.
 

wil

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I think that is part of it. I can't even consider worshipping a G!d that I can offend.

Heck, I know people that are mightier than that.
 

Thomas

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I think it's a tad trickier than that ...

Meditation is the practice of disciplining the mind. Without that, or a near equivalent, we aren't really 'free' at all, we're at the mercy of the whims and fancies that overtake us; we think we're free to pursue them, actually we're being driven by them in pursuit of gratifying inexhaustible desires, as Matthieu Ricard says.
 

RJM

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I think it's a tad trickier than that ...

Meditation is the practice of disciplining the mind. Without that, or a near equivalent, we aren't really 'free' at all, we're at the mercy of the whims and fancies that overtake us; we think we're free to pursue them, actually we're being driven by them in pursuit of gratifying inexhaustible desires, as Matthieu Ricard says.
Muddy water, when still, gradually becomes clear. Be still. Let your mud settle and your mind clear. Wait quietly until the right action comes naturally.
Tao te Ching 41
 
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KnowSelf

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freedom of thought cannot be defined because by explanation thought is confined to whatever defines free thinking.. If we were free thinkers we would not question the validity of thinking free.
 

Cino

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Even now as write this I am cautious not to say anything that may offend God. I am not a free thinker because if I were a free thinker I would exactly what is on mind without regard to God or anyone else.

So the way you put it, I can choose between my thoughs and God's? But what would I be thinking if not my own thoughts?
 

OrtaYol

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freedom of thought cannot be defined because by explanation thought is confined to whatever defines free thinking.. If we were free thinkers we would not question the validity of thinking free.

Isn't it the other way around? Shouldn't a free thinker question the validity of anything including free thinking?
 

OrtaYol

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Even now as write this I am cautious not to say anything that may offend God. I am not a free thinker because if I were a free thinker I would exactly what is on mind without regard to God or anyone else.

I think you are mixing up being a free thinker with being a jerk. :D

having regard for others is not an impediment to free thought is it?
 

Nasruddin

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I think it's a tad trickier than that ...

Meditation is the practice of disciplining the mind. Without that, or a near equivalent, we aren't really 'free' at all, we're at the mercy of the whims and fancies that overtake us; we think we're free to pursue them, actually we're being driven by them in pursuit of gratifying inexhaustible desires, as Matthieu Ricard says.
I should have known that someone as erudite as yourself would be familiar with Matthiew Ricard. :)
 

Nasruddin

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Don't cal my Buddy an erudite!
Why not? Erudite is a valuable but rare mineral, similar to kryptonite, except it is used to sap the strength of Stupid Man instead of Super Man.
 
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wil

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Why not? Erudite is a valuable but rare mineral, similar to kryptonite, except it is used to sap the strength of Stupid Man instead of Super Man.
Exactly the reason I am pleased anytime someone says I am full of ..it.

Poop fertilizes the world, it provides the ingredients for growth...
 
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