Religious Freedom, Free Thought, Thought Experiments blog post

What if God is not only one of us, God is us and we are God's ACTUAL presence, NOT a creation, an actual presence ??

Is there ANY gender-free pronoun for an individual human person ?? LET ALONE a gender-free idea or concept of God ??

Maybe there is in one of the 7,000 languages humans STILL speak today ??

https://blog.busuu.com/most-spoken-languages-in-the-world
[quote]...more than 7,100 languages are spoken in the world today. Each and every one of them make the world a diverse and beautiful place...[/quote]

If humans have the freedom to identify ourselves and what we experience, shouldn't God also be completely free to do so ??

If a person has experienced a lot of pain and has learned to cope by substituting a highly structured cultural pattern like religion, it can be almost impossible to let go of that cultural pattern and make a leap to spiritual awareness which transcends or even negates that pattern. That said, I really think the person has to find their own way.

https://melodicpop.com/song/one-of-us
[quote]
So one of these nights and about twelve o'clock
This old world's going to reel and rock
Saints will tremble and cry for pain
For the Lord's gonna come in his heavenly airplane

… If God had a name what would it be?
And would you call it to his face?
If you were faced with Him in all His glory
What would you ask if you had just one question?
… And yeah, yeah, God is great
Yeah, yeah, God is good
Yeah, yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah
… What if God was one of us?
Just a slob like one of us
Just a stranger on the bus
Tryin' to make his way home?
… If God had a face what would it look like?
And would you want to see
If seeing meant that you would have to believe
In things like heaven and in Jesus and the Saints
And all the prophets?
… And yeah, yeah, God is great
Yeah, yeah, God is good
Yeah, yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah
… What if God was one of us?
Just a slob like one of us
Just a stranger on the bus
Tryin' to make his way home?
… Just tryin' to make his way home
Back up to heaven all alone
Nobody callin' on the phone
'Cept for the Pope, maybe in Rome
… And yeah, yeah, God is great
Yeah, yeah, God is good
Yeah, yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah
… What if God was one of us?
Just a slob like one of us
Just a stranger on the bus
Tryin' to make his way home?
… Just tryin' to make his way home
Like a holy rolling stone?
Back up to heaven all alone
Just tryin' to make his way home
… Nobody callin' on the phone
'Cept for the Pope maybe in Rome
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Eric M. Bazilian
One of Us lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc[/quote]

Bard:

Is there ANY gender-free pronoun for an individual human person or a gender-free idea or concept of God ??

1. Yes, there are a few gender-free pronouns that can be used for an individual human person or a gender-free idea or concept of God. Some of the most common gender-free pronouns include:

They/them/theirs: This is the most common gender-neutral pronoun in use today. It can be used to refer to a single person or a group of people, regardless of their gender.

Ze/zir/zirs: This pronoun is a newer option that is gaining popularity. It is pronounced like "zee" and "zirz."

Xe/xir/xyrs: This pronoun is also a newer option. It is pronounced like "zee" and "zhirs."

One/oneself: This pronoun is a traditional gender-neutral pronoun that has been used for centuries. However, it is not as commonly used today as other gender-neutral pronouns.

It is important to note that there is no one "correct" gender-free pronoun. The best pronoun to use will depend on the individual or group of people you are referring to and their preferences. If you are unsure of which pronoun to use, it is always best to ask.

Here are some examples of how to use gender-free pronouns in a sentence:

"They went to the store and bought some groceries."

"Ze is a great friend and I'm glad to have them in my life."

"Xe is a talented artist and I love their work."

"One should always be kind to others."

I hope this helps!

2. Yes, there are a few gender-free pronouns that can be used for an individual human person or a gender-free idea or concept of God. Some of the most common gender-free pronouns include:

They/them/theirs: This is the most common gender-free pronoun in use today. It can be used to refer to a single person or a group of people, regardless of their gender identity.

Ze/zir/zim/zer/hir: These pronouns were created in the 1970s as alternatives to "they/them/theirs." They are still relatively uncommon, but they are becoming more popular.

Xe/ xem/ xyr/ xir: These pronouns were created in the 1990s as alternatives to "they/them/theirs." They are also relatively uncommon, but they are becoming more popular.

It is important to note that there is no one "correct" gender-free pronoun. The best pronoun to use will depend on the individual's or group's preferences. If you are unsure of what pronoun to use, it is always best to ask.

Here are some examples of how to use gender-free pronouns:

"They are a great friend."

"Ze is going to the store."

"Xe is a talented artist."

It is also important to use gender-neutral language when referring to occupations or activities. For example, instead of saying "fireman," you could say "firefighter." Instead of saying "mailman," you could say "mail carrier."

Using gender-free pronouns and language is a way to be more inclusive and respectful of people of all gender identities. It is also a way to promote equality and diversity.

3. Yes, there are a few gender-free pronouns that can be used for an individual human person or a gender-free idea or concept of God. Here are some examples:

They/them/theirs: This is the most common gender-free pronoun in use today. It can be used to refer to a single person or a group of people, regardless of their gender.

Ze/zir/zer: This pronoun is newer than they/them/theirs, but it is gaining popularity. It is pronounced like "zee" and "zhir" and "zer."

Per/perself: This pronoun is still relatively rare, but it is gaining some traction. It is pronounced like "per" and "per-self."

Ey/em/eir: This pronoun is pronounced like "eye" and "em" and "ei-er."

It is important to note that there is no one "correct" gender-free pronoun. The best pronoun to use will depend on the individual or group of people you are referring to, and their personal preferences. If you are unsure which pronoun to use, it is always best to ask.

Here are some examples of how to use gender-free pronouns in a sentence:

"They are a great friend."

"Ze is a talented artist."

"Per is a kind and compassionate person."

"Ey is a brilliant scientist."

I hope this helps!

Bard: 

Is there a gender-free idea about the nature or concept of God ??

1. Yes, there is a gender-free idea about the nature or concept of God. This idea is that God is neither male nor female, but rather is beyond gender altogether. This idea is often expressed in the phrase "God is spirit," which suggests that God is not a physical being with a gender, but rather is a transcendent being who is beyond our physical understanding.

This idea of a gender-free God is found in many different religious traditions. For example, in the Hebrew Bible, God is often referred to as "Elohim," which is a gender-neutral term. In the Christian tradition, the apostle Paul wrote that "in Christ, there is neither male nor female" (Galatians 3:28). And in the Islamic tradition, the Quran states that "God is not like anything that exists" (42:11).

The idea of a gender-free God can be seen as a way of affirming the equality of all people, regardless of their gender. It can also be seen as a way of avoiding the limitations of human language, which can only imperfectly describe the divine.

Of course, not everyone agrees with the idea of a gender-free God. Some people believe that God is necessarily male, while others believe that God is necessarily female. However, the idea of a gender-free God is becoming increasingly popular, as people search for a way to understand God that is more inclusive and less limiting.

2. Yes, there are many gender-free ideas about the nature or concept of God. Some people believe that God is beyond gender, and that using gendered pronouns to refer to God is inaccurate or even disrespectful. Others believe that God can be both male and female, or that God transcends gender altogether.

There is no one right answer to this question, as it is a matter of personal belief. However, there are a number of gender-free terms that can be used to refer to God, such as:

The Divine

The Source

The Creator

The Mystery

The Ground of All Being

The One

The Absolute

The Infinite

The Unknowable

These terms are all gender-neutral, and they can be used to refer to God in a way that is inclusive of all people, regardless of their gender identity.

It is important to note that there is no one "correct" way to think about God. What matters most is that you find a way to understand God that is meaningful to you. If using gender-free pronouns or terms helps you to connect with God in a deeper way, then that is what is right for you.

3. Yes, there is a gender-free idea about the nature or concept of God. This idea is that God is beyond gender, and does not have a physical body. God is simply a force or energy that exists in the universe, and that is responsible for creating and sustaining all life.

This idea of a gender-free God is often found in non-Abrahamic religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism. In Hinduism, God is often referred to as Brahman, which is a gender-neutral term that refers to the ultimate reality. In Buddhism, God is often referred to as the Dharmakaya, which is the formless essence of all existence.

This idea of a gender-free God is also becoming increasingly popular in Western cultures. This is due in part to the growing acceptance of gender-neutral pronouns and the increasing awareness of the diversity of gender identities.

There are many reasons why people choose to believe in a gender-free God. Some people believe that it is more accurate to reflect the reality of the universe, which is full of diversity. Others believe that it is more inclusive and respectful of all people, regardless of their gender identity. And still others believe that it is simply more beautiful and mysterious to think of God as beyond gender.

Ultimately, whether or not you believe in a gender-free God is a personal decision. There is no right or wrong answer, and what matters most is that you find a belief system that resonates with you.

From the description under the video below:

Freethought is an epistemological viewpoint which holds that beliefs should not be formed on the basis of authority, tradition, revelation, or dogma, and that beliefs should instead be reached by other methods such as logic, reason, and empirical observation. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a freethinker is "a person who forms their own ideas and opinions rather than accepting those of other people, especially in religious teaching." In some contemporary thought in particular, free thought is strongly tied with rejection of traditional social or religious belief systems. Modern freethinkers consider free thought to be a natural freedom from all negative and illusive thoughts acquired from society. Among freethinkers, for a notion to be considered true it must be testable, verifiable, and logical. Many freethinkers tend to be humanists, who base morality on human needs and would find meaning in human compassion, social progress, art, personal happiness, love, and the furtherance of knowledge. Generally, freethinkers like to think for themselves, tend to be skeptical, respect critical thinking and reason, remain open to new concepts, and are sometimes proud of their own individuality. They would determine truth for themselves – based upon knowledge they gain, answers they receive, experiences they have and the balance they thus acquire. Freethinkers reject conformity for the sake of conformity, whereby they create their own beliefs by considering the way the world around them works and would possess the intellectual integrity and courage to think outside of accepted norms, which may or may not lead them to believe in some higher power. The term first came into use in the 17th century in order to refer to people who inquired into the basis of traditional beliefs which were often accepted unquestioningly. Today, freethinking is most closely linked with deism, secularism, atheism, agnosticism, humanism, anti-clericalism, and religious critique. The Oxford English Dictionary defines freethinking as, "The free exercise of reason in matters of religious belief, unrestrained by deference to authority; the adoption of the principles of a free-thinker." Freethinkers hold that knowledge should be grounded in facts, scientific inquiry, and logic. The skeptical application of science implies freedom from the intellectually limiting effects of confirmation bias, cognitive bias, conventional wisdom, popular culture, urban myth, prejudice, or sectarianism. The basic summarizing statement of the essay The Ethics of Belief by the 19th-century British mathematician and philosopher William Kingdon Clifford is: "It is wrong always, everywhere, and for anyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence." The essay became a rallying cry for freethinkers when published in the 1870s, and has been described as a point when freethinkers grabbed the moral high ground. Clifford was himself an organizer of free thought gatherings, the driving force behind the Congress of Liberal Thinkers held in 1878. Regarding religion, freethinkers typically hold that there is insufficient evidence to support the existence of supernatural phenomena. According to the Freedom from Religion Foundation, "No one can be a freethinker who demands conformity to a bible, creed, or messiah. To the freethinker, revelation and faith are invalid, and orthodoxy is no guarantee of truth." and "Freethinkers are convinced that religious claims have not withstood the tests of reason. Not only is there nothing to be gained by believing an untruth, but there is everything to lose when we sacrifice the indispensable tool of reason on the altar of superstition.

United States Commission on International Religious Freedom

QUOTE USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission, the first of its kind in the world, dedicated to defending the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad. UNQUOTE.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble.. 



Nothing has ever been said about God that hasn’t already been said better by the wind in the pine trees. — Thomas Merton

 Julia Mary Dover

I found out how it feels not to be chained to anything, to any race, to any faith, to anybody, to any creed, to any hopes, to anything-

I know how it feels to be free

Nina Simone

My sources of Free Thought are Alan Watts and Michel Martin. I first learned about Free Thought in 1962, while serving in the US Army. Edited transcript of my sources of freedom of thought shown below.

I call this podcast: Free Thought, sources of my ideas about freedom of thought.


I wanted to mention some sources of many of my ideas about freedom of thought. Alan Watts died about 40 years ago. However, his work in audio, video and text is available on the internet at Alan Watts. A free podcast is also available there.

My ability to think freely was influenced by Alan Watts for at least 30 years. His lectures were broadcast on WDUQ, a national public radio station in Pittsburgh at Duquesne University. I never met Alan Watts, yet I believe that he has contributed more ideas to my personal beliefs and behavior than any other person. His ability to explain how humans think and act seems to me to be the most enlightened freedom of thought that I have ever seen.

In particular, recently I listened to his podcast about fundamentalist Christian bigotry, that distorts the ideas of Christianity to justify xenophobia. Generally disrespecting any other beliefs in any religion or culture other than the distorted bigotry of fundamentalist obsessions? In my opinion, these obsessions that humans have with racial or cultural bigotry are caused by various disorders, including biological diseases and chemical abuses which affect the brain

Another person who has influenced my ideas is Michel Martin. She is a wonderfully talented interviewer and journalist at Amanpour-and-Company One of her excellent articles, called Witness to Doubt, has the subtitle What if the enemy of faith is not doubt but certainty? Witness-to-Doubt

One of the interview sessions that Michel conducted is an enlightening discussion about how several women encountered bigotry and personal challenges in their parenting of children who have mixed ethnic heritage. The women speak about their experiences in caring for their children, either biological or adopted, with some positive and some negative results.

My own beliefs:

I actually believe that every person, beyond just humans, any sentient entity has an infinite set of ways to identify themselves, and an infinite set of ways to observe reality, no two of whom can ever experience any one else's point of view exactly...

If any one wants to define any aspect of reality, any characteristic of one's own existence or experience, then they are the only one who can actually do that, without beginning, without ending, without permission and without limits of any kind...

my own point of view is that I exist as an infinite, eternal, intangible awareness of every aspect of existence, right now, no after life, not even a before life, everything has existed forever, it just changes shape now and then :) no one created it...

as far as who I am physically, I am not any one physical entity, the human body is composed of particle physics and energy fields, none of which has any permanent state of being, it changes constantly, everything I need to exist, I have now...

I also think that reality moves at an infinite speed, it never pauses nor repeats anything, any time, it cannot be defined in human terms, it always existed, no one gave it, no one can take it away, we are intangible awareness of tangible changes...

these two aspects cannot be separated from each other, they are the yin-yang, we are aware of our own existence because we have both an intangible point of view, which stays the same and a physical presence, which always changes... - Anthony Chipoletti

LIFE flows from ACTUALITY to REALITY, from observer to observed

When developing the theory of relativity, it is said that Einstein used thought experiments to imagine what it would be like to ride on a wave of light. “There is something poetic about demonstrating the relativistic effect of electric fields more than 100 years after Einstein predicted it,” says Professor Nakajima. “Electric fields were a crucial element in the formation of the theory of relativity in the first place.”

https://scitechdaily.com/completing-einsteins-theories-a-particle-physics-breakthrough/