Copyright
September 1999
By: Thomas E. Blaylock, Jr.
Updated: 03/15/05
CHAPTER 3
DEFINING CLEAR THINKING
(FALSELY CALLED ATHEISM).
Before
taking the word Atheism apart and putting it back together again, why
don't you stop right here and write down what your concept of Atheism is, or
was, before you picked up this book. A simple statement or a paragraph at most
will do.
You
need to do this so you can honestly determine how this explanation of Clear
Thinking stimulates your thinking, affects your morality, affects your attitude
toward yourself and your attitude toward those who are called Atheists by the
churches.
Pay
careful attention to this chapter. Let's go to work and dissect the word
Atheism. First, look at the etymology (roots) of the word, Atheism. Theos
means God in Greek. A means no, non, none, not or without. Ism
means a concept or philosophy, or a way of thinking. Therefore by this
definition, Atheism means, a no God concept, or a no-God philosophy. By this
definition, an Atheist is one who does not believe and/or cannot accept the
concept of God (as defined by the various religions).
But
Clear Thinkers have a very big problem with that definition because it is the
nametag that Others (the church) gave them. It does not properly identify their
philosophical position. The name Atheism does not even remotely define this
philosophy. It is a false definition. It is a religious attempt to belittle,
censure and falsify the Philosophy of Clear Thinking.
To
show how a name can be used to belittle a group of people, look at the name
“Christian.” “Christ,” in English, is a transliteration of the Greek word Christos,
which means, anointed. (The word “Transliteration” means to carry the
Sound of the word itself from one language to another. Thus, Christos in
the Greek becomes Christ when the word is Anglicized or taken into
English. Transliteration ignores the meaning. To carry the meaning of a word
from one language to another is to Translate.)
The
Greek word Christos translates the Hebrew word Messiah, which
means anointed. It has come to mean, anointed by God. This word, Messiah,
was used only for kings, prophets and priests. Messiah was used for
those who were presented to the people as being sent by God for some special
work. David and King Saul were also Messiahs or Christs. They were
called Christos (anointed) in Greek. The Jewish people have had many
claimed Messiahs, or who claimed Messiahship for themselves.
Ian means little from ianos in the Greek.
So the word "Christian" translated into English, literally means, “little
anointed ones.”
"Christian"
was a derogatory term used by the Romans, Jews, Greeks and others to belittle
and ridicule the followers of an ancient religion called "Mithras,"
and later a modern outcast Jewish sect called "The Way." Christians
were mocked and were called "little kings,” “little priests,” or
"little anointed ones."
We
do the same thing when we say, "He thinks he is a little God,” or "He
thinks he is a little Caesar." This title “Christian” was applied to these
people because they claimed to have all the answers of life. They got the
answers from God himself and were always right, thus establishing themselves as
little Christs (little anointed ones who knew everything and were always
right).
So,
the title once given to Christians as a name of mockery and deformation, they
now wear proudly as a mark of distinction.
The
nametag "Atheism" is somewhat like that. It was given by the church
as a term to strike fear in the hearts of the faithful, and animosity and
hostility toward those who were Honest Clear Thinkers. To the leaders of the
Christian religions, this philosophy was a type of mental plague. Once infected
with the Clear Thinking philosophy, the former believers could never return to
their past belief and obedience, or have respect for the religious powers of
that day. Religion fears Clear Thinking more than any other one thing. This
book will help you understand why.
This
is interesting. The religions understood and proclaimed that once a person
became an Honest Clear Thinker (so-called Atheist), he could never again be
brought under the sway of a religion except by force or threat of force. Many
men "recanted" their honest thinking and asked the church to "forgive”
them (as did Galileo). Why? They loved living more than they loved dying.
The
term that Clear Thinkers (Atheist) have given themselves is quite different
from the term that the church has given them. It is a term that more nearly
describes the philosophy to which they adhere. The name they often give
themselves is,
FREE THINKER.
There
will be much more to say about "Free Thinking" later, but for now,
the term Free Thinker describes their attitude toward life and toward life's
many complex problems. It also describes their philosophy. It means they are
Free to think, honestly and logically. They are neither bound to prove any
claim, nor to arrive at any predetermined conclusions or beliefs.
There
are absolutely no Free Thinker (or Atheist) doctrines. Atheism definitely has
no religious beliefs or faiths. Their freedom lies in the fact that they do not
have to reconcile their conclusions with any belief or faith. They can start
with any subject and follow the facts to their logical conclusions.
THE CLEAR THINKER HAS ONLY TO RECONCILE HIS
CONCLUSIONS
WITH THE FACTS AND THE TRUTH OF A MATTER.
When
Clear Thinkers approach a problem, they look for the facts. They know facts do
not stand alone but depend on many other proven facts. Also, they have nothing
to defend, nothing that needs an apology and nothing that needs an explanation.
The reason for this is,
THE CLEAR THINKER IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THE TRUTH.
The
Free Thinker is not trying to prove any point. He has no point to prove. He
simply takes the proven facts on a subject and finds out where those facts
lead. When the honest man follows the facts, he reaches whatever conclusions
are in agreement with all the known and proven facts and in harmony with the
truth and morality of the matter.
It
is by this method of following the facts that Clear Thinkers have reached the
factual and logical conclusion that there is no such God as described by the
Persians in the Mithraic religion. If New facts were brought forth, which
proved there is such a Mithraic God, those called Atheists would conclude there
was indeed such a God. But they would still be Atheists. That is, they would
still follow the facts. They would still be Clear Thinkers. They would still be
Free Thinkers. Atheism is not a conclusion. Atheism is a Method of Thinking, a
philosophy! Ponder that for a moment!
So
much for now on the "free" in Free Thinking. Look next at the
"thinking" in Free Thinking. Later we will get into the subject of
thinking and go into it in some depth. For now, what is the difference between
these two approaches to the problem of the existence of a God?
1. PROVE the Shinto
God exists.
2. FIND OUT if the Shinto God exists.
Which
one of these approaches promotes honest thinking and which one prevents honest
clear thinking? If you are asked to take approach number one, that says
"Prove this God exists," thinking has been crippled and made one
sided. Since only the holy books give any information on this God, then to
follow number one means the one who seeks to prove that his God exists will
only look in holy books. He can never have the will or the courage to search
out what the scientific and civil world have to say about the matter. In other
words, he buries his head in the dry sands of his holy books.
And
what if you are a Buddhist or a Mithraic believer? Proposition number one gives
you a Conclusion and asks you to Believe and confirm it. That conclusion may or
may not be correct. By trying to prove proposition number one, you will Never
know the truth for sure! If you believe the Hindu or Shinto God exists, then
any simple jumble of statements will constitute "proof" to you.
Approach
number one starts with the Conclusion that this God does, in fact, exist. That
is like trying to build a house by starting with the top of the chimney. One
does not start with a finished product, with the answer. One must start with a
foundation, at the beginning, with an honest question and with the known facts
and truth of the matter.
What
if the first proposition was "Prove the Baptist and Shinto Gods exists?”
When
and how do you know if a Baptist or a Shinto God exists? Or, if you do not
believe one of them does exist, will your mind not rebel at query number one
and refuse to function properly? Whether you believe, or do not believe,
anytime you set out to Prove any doctrine or belief, your mind will not
function truly and honestly (that is a fact and you know it). You cannot think
honestly, when the question is rigged in favor of a predetermined answer or
conclusion! Rather, if you are a believer, your mind will hunt only for those
statements or observations that "tend to prove" your predetermined
conclusion. Your mind will pass over, ignore and reject those statements, facts
and observations that disprove, or tend to disprove, what you are trying to
prove. You are trying to prove your God exists.
On
the other hand, if you select approach number two that says, "Find out if
these Gods exists," your mind will automatically seek facts, statements
and observations from Both sides of the question. You have moved from a
dishonest quest to an honest one. Your mind will be able to think honestly and
carefully because you are now looking for the Truth. You are not looking to
prove a point or to defend a belief. By using this honest scientific method,
(called Atheism) you may find out that your God does indeed exist and you will
have found out the truth - Logically and Honestly. You may find out the Baptist
God does exist but the Shinto God does not exist - Honestly.
Would
you like to find out for sure if your God really does exist?
This
method of approaching problems is what makes Clear Thinking such a feared foe
of religion and government. It is the Honest approach to the questions and
problems of life. It ignores beliefs, conformity and custom. Clear Thinking
hunts for the Facts of the matter. Clear Thinking starts at the foundation, at
the bottom of the matter, with the known facts and with honest questions.
Another
way to view the truth of this Clear Thinking method of Honest investigation is
to see the question as one that is not emotional. Suppose the question was,
"Prove there is a Santa Claus." That would be the religious approach.
The Clear Thinker’s approach would be, "Find out if there is a Santa
Claus."
The
difference in approaching the truth should become clearer to you. If one
believes there is a Santa Claus and ignores the contrary evidence, he can
"prove" there is a Santa Claus. If he rejects the observations that
"tend to disprove" the existence of Santa Claus, then a strong case
can be built which "proves" Santa Claus does, in fact, exist. Just
reading the Christmas stories, listening to the testimony of the kids,
interviewing the parents in front of the kids and looking at the toys on
Christmas day should be enough evidence for anybody. To the Santa Claus
believer the case is closed. Santa does exist.
That
is the difference in the religious approach to a matter and the Clear Thinker's
approach to the same matter. Clear Thinkers use the Scientific method of
Honestly hunting and studying the facts. The religious believers use the
"belief and testimony" (the hearsay) method. Religion always begins
with a conclusion instead of looking for the facts and the truth of the matter.
Religion accepts hearsay, testimony and belief as proofs. Honesty does not and
cannot.
Clear
Thinking is Freedom to honestly seek the truth. Religious belief and faith
controls the mind and binds it to a predetermined conclusion. To be a religious
believer one must not think. The believer must let someone else do his thinking
for him. The religious person must always believe and accept what his
particular religious authorities teach, or change religions and beliefs. Why
are you not a member of all the religions? Why are you not a member of a
different one? The believers must only seek to prove those things, which their
religion teaches. Those who are religious must always defend and prove their
Own faith and belief. They must rate belief in their religious authorities
higher than they rate the authorities in other religions. They must rate faith
in their authorities higher than they rate the facts and the truth of the
matter. They must rate their authorities higher than Honesty. The believer who
seeks only to "prove" his belief ignores the only Honest question he
could ask. That question is,
IS MY BELIEF TRUE, OR IS MY BELIEF FALSE?
There
is a word I would like to see added to the name Clear Thinkers have given to
themselves. In the title, "Free Thinker" should be placed the word
"Honest.” Thus, "Honest Free Thinker" would describe the total
philosophy of Clear Thinking (Atheism). It would acquaint the world and
religious believers with the fact that Atheists are really Free to Think. They
are free to think honestly because they do not have to end up agreeing with
some predetermined conclusion. They do not have to agree with some prescribed
belief. They do not have to agree with some religious authority. They have only
to honestly agree with the known facts. Honest Clear Thinkers are free to hunt
for the Truth of the matter. How sweet it is - to be Able to be Honest!
We
will have many details of these things and more in this book. If you are a
believer, this might be the first time in your life you have the opportunity to
Think, freely and Honestly. Use the opportunity wisely.
GOOD GODS APPROVE OF HONEST THOUGHT.
Now,
let's define the Clear Thinking philosophy that religion has falsely called
Atheism. There is no legal, specific or agreed upon definition that I have ever
read or heard that clearly defines it. Of course, that is the way it is with a
censored philosophy. Almost all of the dictionaries define Atheism as:
"The doctrine that there is no God, disbelief in the existence of
God." Again, that is censorship. It is dishonest to use this false
Christian definition of this philosophy. It Is False!
The
definition of Atheism as given in the dictionaries is like defining
tuberculosis as a fever and cough. The fever is a result of tuberculosis. Fever
and cough are only two symptoms or conclusions of tuberculosis. Likewise to
describe Atheism as the doctrine that there is no God is not to describe
Atheism at all. Rather, it is to describe One of its many conclusions.
The
absence of the Hindu Gods as described by the Hindu Holy Books is a conclusion
that comes as a result of honestly following the known facts. This
"no-God" conclusion is not a belief or a doctrine. It is a product of
the facts just as ten is the product of one plus two plus three plus four.
Atheism could have just as easily and honestly been described in the
dictionaries as: “The doctrine that there is no Santa Claus, disbelief in the
existence of Santa Claus.” They could have called it “A-santa-ism.” Falsely
describing something is called censorship! It is also called lying and
hypocrisy.
It
does amaze me that no Clear Thinker or Atheist has ever been asked to define
Atheism for the dictionaries, reference books, or encyclopedias. Now think
about that for a moment. Think of the power of censorship involved. Think about
the political power it takes in order to define a powerful, Honest and true
philosophy Falsely in the major reference books in the USA.
What
if some group had the power to define Christianity in their reference books as,
"The doctrine that by following the teachings of a condemned Jewish
criminal and believing in some magic words, a person will never die."
That
“IS” the definition of Christianity given in the eighth century by a Turkish
scholar of the Islamic faith. That definition demonstrates censorship power in
action.
However,
you will not have to suffer through life being ignorant of the definition of
the Clear Thinking philosophy, falsely called Atheism. I shall give you one of
my definitions of this philosophy (and later more). Here it is. Read it several
times and try to put it in your own words.
Clear
Thinking is the philosophy of life that shapes its morality, its conclusions
and its approach to life, from an honest, logical analyzation of the known and
proven facts. It is the honest, logical, scientific approach to the problems
and conflicts of morality, religion and the concepts of life.
Notice
nothing was said about God in this definition. You will also notice nothing was
said about demons, devils, angels or tuberculosis. Nothing was said about
faith, belief, or miracles. The reason these things were not mentioned is they
have absolutely Nothing to do with the Philosophy of Clear Thinking (or
Atheism). Those things are only Subjects to be explored for the facts in the
same manner that we explore and study politics, law, mathematics, or economics.
On
the other hand, any definition of a religion must, of necessity, include the
terms faith, belief, God, Christ, Jesus, Mohammed, Allah, etc. The point is the
Clear Thinking philosophy, falsely called Atheism, is not a faith or belief. To
the contrary, religion is just that, a faith, or a belief. Here is a second
definition.
Clear
Thinking is the scientific method of honestly finding and examining the facts
of a matter and logically determining the truth of that matter. It is the art
of conducting one's life in the light of and on the basis of, the facts and
conclusions of that truth.
Religion
is belief. It is accepting on faith something that is taught by an authority.
Clear Thinking is exactly the opposite of religion. Honest people do not accept
something just because it is taught by an authority, nor do they accept any
teachings by, or on, faith. They study the facts and draw their Own honest
conclusions from those facts.
Religion
wants you to believe and obey your authorities. It wants you to become
childlike. Religion demands belief and obedience. "Except you become as
little children, you cannot inherit the kingdom of God."
Clear
Thinking is hard, honest, mature, sweaty, adult work. It demands that
you logically and honestly analyze every important claim put before you. Honest
Clear Thinking demands that you check for the Facts of these religious,
political, economical, or personal claims.
Contrary
to the hard work and honesty of Clear Thinking, Religion is taught as a passive
and easy faith or belief. It requires nothing but consent, surrender and
obedience. Gullibility is the Only necessary requirement of religion. Believe
and Obey is the sovereign command of all religions!
Clear
Thinking is an active and sweaty philosophy of life, that demands:
HONEST
THINKING AND MORAL CONFORMITY TO TRUTH!
Faithful religious believers are afraid to think Honestly. They are! Honest questions, Honest doubts and Honest investigations of these religious matters are called a religious Sin that will enroll you into that place of hell fire and damnation. They must only Believe and Obey. To be Honest means to examine Both the pros and cons of the matter. That is called Thinking. Honest thinking Begins with Honest Doubt. But to the religious believers, doubt is the worst Sin. Honest Clear Thinkers are afraid Not to think. Believe and obey are the sovereign commands of All religions. Honest Logical Thinking is the life's blood of the Clear Thinking philosophy. Think about that!
HONEST CLEAR THINKING IS POISON TO THE BELIEVER.
BELIEF IS POISON TO THE HONEST CLEAR THINKER.
You
can begin to see now that the Clear Thinking philosophy is badly misnamed when
it is called Atheism by religion. Next, you will see some of the reasons why
religion felt it necessary to mislead its followers concerning this philosophy.
In
order to get the most understanding from this book do this. Write one paragraph
on each of the following. (1) Identify your religion or belief and outline what
you believe as You understand it. (2) Next, outline the Official distinctions
or doctrines of your religion. You can call or visit a priest, rabbi, minister,
or teacher of your faith, or get the outline from an official handbook of your
religion. That will include a statement of faith defining the beliefs you must
accept as true in order to belong to that religion, such as, "We believe
in God Almighty, maker of heaven and. . . ." That is two paragraphs. Keep
it short and readable.
I
am not making fun of any religion. I am trying to make sense for you. I am
asking you to Think. Does Honest Thinking scare you? Not thinking scares me.
THINK ABOUT IT!