Freethought Day
Start writing a post
Politics

Freethought Day

October 12th is Freethought Day, a day for our voices to be heard.

68
Freethought Day
Created by T.L. Hicks through Canva


[Image via Creative Commons Wikipedia]

The Bill of Rights first amendment is the freedom of expressing ideas through speech (talking) and the press (writing, printing, blogging and broadcasting). It is for expressing through symbolic expression such as displaying flags and wearing armbands. But did you know, there is a day for free thinking?

October 12th is a day to remember and encourage one another to be free thinkers, and basing such opinions on facts, science, logic and reasoning. In today’s world, we are quick to jump to conclusions and speak our minds before knowing all the facts. Such ways of thinking and speaking can lead to ‘Fake News.’

On Sunday, October 1st, 2017 was a sad day for concert goers at the Route 91 Harvest Festival. A three-day country music festival ended when a man killed 59 people. Plus, over 500 people were injured. At the time of writing this article, all the facts are not known about the shooting. It was not long after reports of the shooting when the rumor mill started, from ISIS connections to gun control laws to the shooter’s mental state. There were reports of social media users passing around fake photos of unidentified victims as a joke (Qiu, 2017).

On Monday, October 2nd, 2017 everyone was already shaken up by the events of Sunday night’s mass shooting in Las Vegas. TMZ and CBS, along with other media sources, announced on Monday afternoon that Tom Petty passed away, and everyone started making their R.I.P. posts. The thing is, at the time of their reports, Tom Petty was still alive. Per Tony Dimitriades via CNN Money, the musician passed away, “at 8:40 pm PT surrounded by family, his bandmates and friends” (France, 2017). Roughly five hours or so later than reported by media sources.

Question: What does all this have to do with the first amendment and fake news?

Answer: Freethought Day, celebrated on October 12th every year. In some places, there may be a Freethought Week or a Freethought Month, which is October (Atheist and Other Freethinkers)

How did Freethought Day come about? Per Free Thought Day website, it dates back to the Salem Witch Trials. The Massachusetts Bay, Governor William Phips wrote in a letter to the Privy Council of the British monarchs, “the trials had degenerated into, in part by a reliance on "evidence" of a non-objective nature and especially "spectral evidence" in which the accusers claimed to see devils and other phantasms consorting with the accused” (Gutenberg, 2017). What did the Governor mean? William Phips was asking the British monarchs not to allow the use of spectral evidence (feelings and visions), but to use facts, science, logic and reasoning. In the modern-day court system, “the prosecution must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt” (Cornell Law School) that the criminal on trial is guilty, and in doing so they must using facts, science, logic and reasoning.

[Image via Freethought Day Facebook Page]

Free Thought Day is celebrated in Sacramento, CA, which is holding a three-day event. Starting with a Volunteer Dinner on October 12th. A Secular Leadership Day and a CFD Supporters’ Reception on October 14th, and wrapping it all up on October 15th, the event is in its 16th year.

The event is held by Atheists, Humanists, Skeptics, and Agnostics who believe religion and anything supernatural or “paranormal hearsay are preposterous” (Diskin, 2016). But what can the rest of us learn by such a day? Per Stephen Arons book Compelling Belief: The Culture of American Schooling, Quoted Thomas I. Emerson, "Every man—in the development of his own personality—has the right to form his own beliefs and opinions. Hence, suppression of belief, opinion and expression is an affront (insult, disrespect, or offense) to the dignity of man, a negation (denial) of man’s essential nature.” What we can learn from such a day, is that everyone has the right to their beliefs, and be able to speak freely. But, now with the ‘fake news’ being all over the place, it is time to stop and think before we speak. Make sure we have all the facts if we don’t then don’t saying anything. If it is a tragedy and loss of life, we should just give our condolences until we have all the facts to make an educated opinion. We need to research to make sure what we are ‘sharing’ on our Facebook accounts and ‘re-tweeting’ on our Twitter accounts is true, even if it is just basic information. We should respect what others have to say, even if we don’t follow their path.

[Image via Consitution US]

It could be just me, but we are living in a divided United States. The only people who can fix this nation is not our government, but “We the People” (Preamble). We have proven that when tragedy strikes us, no matter our race, culture, creed, religion or political beliefs, we CAN and DO come together. We should not have to wait for a tragedy to do so, it should be a part of our everyday lives.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

52538
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33768
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956508
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181339
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments