Isn't Atheists belief in free thought or thinking for oneself a philosophy?

[Schnurrbart, P.I.]

Of course it's not a religion as many religious people would like to portray Atheists, but isn't there a step before saying you don't believe in god, and that step is a belief in thinking for oneself rather than blindly obeying authority?

[Emu Pin]

A belief in thinking for oneself? How about a practice, that is instilled from early childhood for some of us, thanks to parents who encouraged you to think things through and form your own opinions.

Sure, sometimes it's sounded like a cheesy therapy session - "and what do you think about that?" but it works.

[neil s]

Actually, there are some "herd" atheists.

[squirt AM VA VT]

I think it is a philosophy. Atheists are as diverse as any other labeled group.

[Linda J]

Free thought, or free thinking.
Hmmm, well if there is such a thing, wouldn't one of you just once in a while come up with oh I dunno, something original once in a while!

I mean have you ever listened to yourselves?
Half of you sound like broken records, while the other half sound like their all reading from the same worn out script.

[gene b]

Free thinkers rarely are attracted to mythology, which is what they get when they talk to Christians in particular..If anyone reads Conversations with God they can know the truth..God's truth is revealed in these Neal Donald Walsch books..It is a miracle you can take advantage of and available at your library..God bless

[Josh K]

Well, its amazing in the first place, that if you do not believe in god than you are morally bankrupt and that your life is a shame.
Im an atheist because, yes, it is in my deep belief in free thought that broke me away from the brainwashing of the religon genre. Not only that but damn, there is no evidence whatsoever that god exist. And religion has put together books that says so right here, he does exist. Please, give me a break.

[raydardy]

For many if not most atheists, yes. This step comes first. Others, however, simply don't believe. Many atheists were simply never told about God, so they didn't need any sort of free-thinker's foundation in order to disbelieve.

[Angus McCloud]

nice try...but your implication that people who believe in God are blindly following Him doesn't hold water.

[fireyhairedfairy]

Believing in freethinking is separate from being an atheist. Yes, many atheists were first deep thinkers because most atheists don't come from atheist families, but in theory there can be an atheist who does come from an atheist family and didn't really think all that much about it. The ideal of free thought is a philosophy, but the word "atheist" is just a word that describes a person who does not have a belief in deities. It's not a philosophy in and of itself.