Freethought

Freethought is the position that beliefs should be formed on the basis of reason, evidence, and logic rather than authority, tradition, or revelation. Historically it names a 19th-century reform movement (Bradlaugh, Holyoake, Ingersoll) advocating secular education, civil liberty, and the right of public criticism of religion.

Period: Modern
Region: Anglosphere / Europe
Founded: 17th-19th century
Grouping: Philosophical & Spiritual Systems

Teachings

Reason and evidence over revelation or tradition as the basis of belief
Secular education and civil liberties
Right to public criticism and parody of religious authority
Often paired with humanist, republican, or socialist political programmes

Scriptures

Holyoake — The Principles of Secularism
Bradlaugh — A Plea for Atheism
Ingersoll — Why I Am an Agnostic
Paine — The Age of Reason

People

Voltaire

Interactive hub: https://metaism.com/beliefs/freethought.

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