How to Think for Yourself

We had just reached the summit of Gunung Datuk after a long hike. I sat down with my new friend, Adzak, to enjoy the view. Before long, our conversation turned to religious topics.

“I am a free thinker,” Adzak claimed. “I have my own views about the world.”

“Ah yes,” I replied. “I’ve heard many Malaysian youth identifying as free thinkers.”

Adzak laughed. “We have to think for ourselves. There is so much confusion otherwise. It will make you crazy.”

“But what about when you go home?” I asked. “Here in Malaysia, many young people call themselves free thinkers, but at home, you are expected to participate in Islamic or Buddhist rituals. What do you tell your parents?”

“I don’t tell them,” Adzak replied. “I just go along with what they want. I can think freely, but I must keep it to myself.”

Is Free Thinking Important?

In some parts of the world, having the wrong belief can get you ostracized from your community, fired from your job, or even killed. Thinking for yourself can be dangerous. But is it important? 

Our world is filled with good ideas and bad ideas. One important way to begin sifting out the good from the bad is to think and talk about them. If you buy something expensive—like gold, saffron, or an iPhone—you wouldn’t just pay for it and take it home. You would inspect it and compare it with competitors’ products to make sure you were really getting the best quality. Ideas must be treated the same way. 

There is much confusion in the world, and it’s made worse when people try to force their own confused ideas on the community. Let me tell you about an important prophecy. In a very old book called “The Revelation of Jesus Christ,” a prophecy tells of people who try to force their confused religious views on others. It says, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication” (Revelation 14:8). 

These symbolic words are not difficult to understand. Babylon was a famous ancient city, but its name means “confusion.” This city is “fallen,” not because she is confused but because she does not want to leave her confusion behind. She seduces the nations to join her spiritual fornication—that is, betraying God by mixing false and true worship. These false ideas are normalized and accepted. This prophecy about “Babylon” refers to a worldwide spiritual entity which not only normalizes spiritual error but will eventually try to force it on people who cling to the truth.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ predicted this would occur in our days. Maybe you’ve already seen this happening. Are there people who represent God with false ideas? Have you felt uncomfortable in your conscience? Yes, this is why free thinking is important.

How to Think for Yourself

Most people are content to follow the religion of their community. They do not think through their beliefs. They follow religious traditions that don’t make sense or that cause more harm than good. Sometimes, even religious leaders, who are supposed to show us the path to God, are themselves filled with corruption.

How can we find truth? I suggest that we trust the prophets. Why? There are three reasons:

1. The prophets show an amazing knowledge of the future. The prophet Daniel predicted the rise of Europe to its historical position of colonizing the world. Jesus Christ (also known as Isa al-Masih) predicted the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. The prophet Moses (Musa) predicted the history of Ishmael to the end of time.

2. The prophets show an amazing scientific knowledge of health. The prophet Moses, who lived about 3,500 years ago, explained quarantine, hygienic disposal of sewage, and principles of sterilization. He divided the animal creation into clean and unclean. And he told us not to eat blood or fat when we eat clean meat. Even today, those who follow his dietary and sanitary laws live 15 years longer than the general population.

3. God answers the prayers of believers who trust in Him and who believe His prophets. 

The writings of the prophets are full of guidance—but to benefit from them, we must learn to think critically, to test our beliefs, and to check the evidence for our faith. Thinking is an important part of true religion.

Now, what happens when we investigate an error? It might seem true initially. But as we seek for evidence, we begin to see problems with the idea. 

Truth is just the opposite. It never loses anything when it is carefully checked. The more we investigate, the more truth we see. 

Believers ought to be the wisest people in the world because God guides us in the way of wisdom. If you find yourself in a situation where you are not permitted to think freely or ask questions, then it is not from God. He invites our close inquiry because truth is strong enough to stand investigation. But Babylon seduces you into falsehood and keeps you there by closing the door of intellectual effort.

If you are so confused that you feel like you are in Babylon, come out! Come to God’s path of wisdom. Think for yourself and ask rigorous questions. You will not be disappointed. 

Would you like to know more about the future as it is revealed in the book, the Revelation of Jesus Christ? Please contact us at the information on the back of this paper.