“Freethought Lebanon” is an initiative that aims to empower freethinkers in Lebanon in order to promote humanism, encourage critical thinking, and disseminate secular values as a solution for intolerance and sectarian violence in Lebanon. Our vision is “Expanded Horizons with Minds Liberated from the Tyranny of Custom”.
The founders of this initiative have been highly involved in the Lebanese activism scene for more than 10 years, particularly in the struggles related to civil marriage, electoral reform, LGBT rights, abolishing the death penalty, secularism and nonviolence. Our initiative is entirely volunteer-based and we are active both as an online platform and as a youth entity that organizes events, conferences, gatherings, film screenings, etc. on a regular basis. Through our work we seek to promote: freethought principles, secularism, rationalism, critical thinking, science, free speech, tolerance, nonviolence, and human rights. We also support all campaigns that are working for human rights. Finally, we seek to empower freethinkers in Lebanon through organizing social events, building their capacities, and offering protection services when needed.
Our Values:
- Skepticism
All unsupported claims to knowledge are questioned through the use of reason, critical thinking, and the scientific method, to objectively understand the universe and approach human problems. - Freedom of Thought and Expression
All ideas, convictions, and beliefs can be discussed, criticized, debated, attacked, and even ridiculed, and none deserves any special treatment. Censorship is detrimental to the progress and well-being of humanity. Freedom of thought is absolute, and freedom of speech can only be limited in the cases of hate speech or incitement to violence. - Personal Liberties
All individuals are entitled to fulfill their aspirations, express their sexual preferences, exercise reproductive freedom, and to live and die with dignity. - Secularism
All citizens must be regarded equally by the government, with no consideration for confessional differences. Laws must be secular and sovereign from any religious or theological influences. - Humanism
Humanism is a reliable alternative to dogmatic ideologies. Fulfillment and purpose can be found without supernatural beliefs. - Nonviolence
Nonviolence is an effective and ethical approach to achieve social change and realize human rights. - Social Justice
Securing social justice is essential to a healthy and prosperous society, through the establishment of equal opportunity systems on all levels and the elimination of all forms of discrimination. - Tolerance and Inclusion
Tolerance and inclusion are essential in the striving for the common good of humankind, which necessitates overcoming insular ideologies based on race, ethnicity, identity, gender, physical features, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, creed, or class. - Responsibility
As citizens of this universe, we are all part of the ecosystem, aspiring to protect and preserve it for future generations, and to avoid inflicting needless suffering on other species. - Independence
Freethought Lebanon is an independent and autonomous NGO, with no affiliation to any governmental entity, political party, or agenda, local or foreign.