Greensboring.com | Greensboro, NC

So for the last four months I attended a University in Brussels called Vesalius, a school named after an Anatomist. It's both geographically and in many other ways, connected with the V.U.B., a freethinking university. We were advised this by many of our professors, some who openly advised our (mostly) Christian American student base early on in the semester, as if to lay the foundations for what was to come. To say the least, I freaking loved it.

In fact every day, I'd pass the red/orange freethinker statue in the V.U.B courtyard on the way to the Metro, or stopping in Opinio, the campus cafe, for a sandwich with friends. It was, a sanctuary for me for four months, allowing me to grow in my education unlike I ever did on U.S. campuses. Indeed I can't say whether most schools in the U.S. would claim a secular status, or even that they were freethinking, but I can tell you atmosphere between the two is completely different.

At U.N.C.G, I do feel like I'm constantly censoring myself, carefully arranging thoughts and words to conform to my professor's beliefs. For the most part, I manage fine, and many professors are rather relaxed in my, commonly non-conformist views; however, even if I as a student am not affected by these American culture constructs, I can say that most instructors seem affected. Rarely, ever do I hear professors publicly announce their faith, or lack thereof- or express very freethinking views, especially when it comes to religion. Freethinking is taboo here.

In less then a week I start my "study-abroad" adventure here in the U.S.- I feel more like a stranger here, in my supposed home than I ever did in Belgium. I long for my freethinking sandwich runs, and the freedom to say and think without societal pressure.

Shouldn't U.S. Schools, like the V.U.B, promote freethinking. Place, and honor the great thinkers of the past in the history and icons of the school; isn't that the purpose of university?

Surely as I sit in class, and one day when I catch myself holding back words, and mentally chastise myself for it, I'll remember sitting on the V.U.B campus, at the campus bar, with a joint smoking communist, talking about international policy. There's somethings you just can't learn at an American university.

In many classes, the subject of religion simply does not fit, so a professor really would be doing the class a disservice to stray afield in order to express any view on religion. Even in history class, where religion is part of the story, I'd expect it to be dealt with as objectively as possible. Where you should truly expect freedom to discuss religious views would be in philosophy courses.... possibly also in some science courses, but only in the case where local religious nutbars are trying to tell people that science is wrong because it disagrees with Moses.

But mixing, say, chemistry or accounting with religion? Not a good idea.

Freethought isn't necessarily about religion, but simply the ability to express ideas without the prejudice of others.

Indeed. And I agree that it should be a primary goal of the education process, regardless of the level.

I'm actually reminded of an interesting incident that occurred at a meeting of the Piedmont Freethought Association, Waaaay Back In The Day. One of our members -- who was a Libertarian in his political views -- was holding forth on his views of how problems with the government and society should be solved. Unfortunately, none of the other members shared his views, which he found to be very frustrating.

A couple of weeks later, he accused the group of being hypocritical because no one had changed their minds to agree with his views. Mind you, while we disagreed with his views, no one tried to prevent him from stating his opinion or to sanction or punish him for holding differing views. He, however, thought of the group as not being worthy of the term "freethinkers" because no one changed their minds because of his arguments.

Which side was "expressing ideas with the prejudice of others"? I think it was our Libertarian friend, who decided to cut off communication with the community rather than continue participating in the conversation with friends who disagreed with him politically.

I tried to point out to him that neither politics nor religion should be a reason to end a relationship. He disagreed and left anyway. I reckon it was his loss. But such is the way some folks live their lives...