Freement by William James Johnson Chapter 21

My experience with Woltmann bolstered my courage to speak out in class about my Freement ideas. I wanted to make my mark on the other students before the school year ended. Majoring in philosophy gave me many opportunities to debate with my teachers, and the results of these debates became the topic of conversation among the students.
Late in May, I had my inevitable showdown with Dr. Phyllis Marshall, my Psychology professor. This mannish woman in her mid- forties, with frizzy, mouse brown hair, and severely tailored suits, paced nervously at the front of the room. During her lecture on the importance of teaching people to think critically in a democracy, she claimed Russians, under Communism, lacked freedom because they were not permitted to believe in God. She stressed that we in the west were especially fortunate, because we had freedom of religion.
"Dr.Marshall," I interrupted. "Wouldn't it have been more accurate to say that people in Russia who want to join the Communist Party are not permitted to belong to an organized religion, but there are many Russians who still practise their traditional orthodox faith."
"I must agree. You could say it that way."
"And would you not also agree that even if it were as you say, that Russia doesn't permit its people to believe in God, this is no criterion for saying these people are not free."
"Mr. Martindale, this is not a theology class. If you haven't anything more pertinent to discuss, I will continue my lecture. We have a great deal to cover before the exam."
"I'm sorry Doctor. It's just that I don't feel you should make a general statement condemning a system which controls over two hundred and fifty million people without proving that non- belief in God is wrong."
"I've admitted you are correct. My use of the Russian example was poor. I am pleased to see that the main theme of this lecture has not fallen on deaf ears. Your reasoning is a good example of critical thinking which is so important in a
democratic society."
"I would like to continue if I may. In your other remark, you implied that freedom to believe in God is a special kind of freedom, enjoyed by us."
"That's what I said."
"But again you are making an unsubstantiated claim. Using your techniques professor. I could say I believe that religion is the greatest evil ever designed for trapping the minds of men."
"Now you're the one making a generalization. I'd like to see you try to substantiate that," she snapped like a tiny terrier.
"Thank you Doctor Marshall. I will. As a psychologist, which do you think is more likely to help man to be free, belief that our existence depends on the whim of a divine Creator who can snuff us out by a mere act of his will, or belief in an infinite universe with no beginning and no end in which man strives to survive for his own sake?"
"I will not waste my time debating such a ridiculous hypothesis as an infinite universe."
"No more ridiculous than saying everything came from nothing."
"What has all of this to do with teaching a person to think critically in a democracy?"
"It has everything to do with it. Your job should be to teach us to think. Once we are capable of that, we can make our own choice about what we want to believe. You do us a disservice when you colour your statements with your personal bias."
"Mr. Martindale, it is a well known fact that the rulers in Russia limit the freedom of its people. Russia does not permit criticism that would tear down the system."
"Nor do we Dr. Marshall. No system is willing to be a victim of its thinking people. That's why your theme is so inappropriate."
"I disagree. It is most appropriate. Without God and a moral conscience as we have in our society, what would man use to judge his actions?"
"Man in our society is forced to exist within a fictitious God realm of religious prohibitions, which are the source of tremendous anguish in his life. Religion creates an overwhelming feeling of guilt and repression. Man is not permitted to act according to his nature. As a psychologist, you of all people must realize that man's actions are motivated by need satisfaction. Religion establishes an impossible spiritual fantasy which attempts to make gods out of men by demanding
unrealistic standards of conduct. And for what. For an immortal reward which doesn't even exist."
"I knew if I gave you enough time you would make a mistake. Immortality is not an invention of man," said the harried teacher. "Man's mind is capable of producing abstract ideas, ideas which do not exist in reality. These are spiritual ideas which bring man to an understanding of his creator. The instrument producing these spiritual ideas must be spiritual by virtue of cause and effect."
"Inventions Doctor. Just words. Man's mind is a reservoir of electrical energy, and his internal circuitry is activated by external sensations. It is this sensual experience which gives him the basis for judgment. But because of the likes of you and your outdated theories, this natural judgment is impeded by superimposing spiritual judgment. It is this confusion of the real with the unreal which leads to man's mental problems."
"This interruption is now concluded. I wish to apologize to the rest of the class for permitting you to expose them to such ridiculous sophistry."
"You can't do this professor. I demand an apology. This is a classroom, not a courtroom."
Extremely irritated by my offensive posture, her neck broke out in red blotches.
"In all my years of teaching, I've never experienced such rudeness. You're nothing but an impudent whelp."
"You've missed the point madam. Don't you want people in a democracy to think for themselves?"
She stormed out of the classroom, shaking uncontrollably with emotion.
The atmosphere in the lecture room became vibrantly alive with the students' reactions to my debate. My breast pounded furiously like it had done when I was in Woltmann's office. I was surprised many of the students agreed with Marshall and her criticism of my rudeness. The only ones who sided with me, were Freementers.
"What a performance," said Stu. "It was worth repeating my year just to see that frustrated old bitch break out in a rash."
"She'll be out to get you now Marty," said Rick.
"You took a terrible chance," said Clara. "What if she flunks you for this?"
"I had to do it. A real Freementer must never be afraid to speak his mind. No one ever questions the validity of her statements. Maybe now she'll be more careful of what she says."
"Do you think she'll come back to class?"
"Of course. She'll come back and continue reading word for word from her notes in the name of education. I did agree with her though, about educating people to think critically. It was the way she tried to slip in that not-so-subtle dig at the Communists. It's significant thought-shapers like Marshall who are responsible for our racial prejudices. Get enough people believing it, and soon you have a nation frightened to death by the horrible possibilities of our potential enemy. It is this
kind of terror which leads to panic, and eventually the pressing of the doomsday button."
"What a horrible scenario," said Clara.
"What can Freement do about it?" asked Rick.
"He can help to destroy the basis for hypocrisy. Prevent the concepts of Christian morality from prejudicing our thinking at the conference table. Man must establish a universal bill of rights, instead of the narrow code we now endorse, which ensures the superiority of the white, Christian race. All men have needs, and have the right to their satisfaction. This should be the basic principle of the universal bill of rights. As for the satisfaction of the secondary level of needs which spring up as a society becomes more complex, an individual's personal ability comes into action. Under my system each man would have the opportunity to advance as far as his ability will take him. In this way, he will not crave to go beyond his level of competence, and he will have led a life of fulfilment."
"Marshall was talking about this the other day," said Stu.
"Yes she was, when she was talking about the importance of integrated goals. I almost took her on then. It's her inconsistency which gets to me. Today she attacked the Communists. The other day she was urging us to see the merits of
socialism. She was trying to get our agreement that as society becomes more complex, the individual must give up more and more of his freedom. In such a society, the system is designed to service the basic needs of the individual in exchange for his subservient role as a member of the mass of working units. There is no place for critical thinking."
"Then what is the truth?"
"I'm afraid I have to agree with her on this point. There will have to be less freedom in the future, by virtue of the increase in numbers in the world's population. The state must now begin preparing the best people to plan for the inevitable crush which is coming. If we do not find someway to defuse the population bomb, and the destruction of our environment by pollution, we will be buried either in people or garbage. Our freedom as it is today may indirectly lead to social suicide in our future."
"What should we be doing?"
"We have to begin with the young. They must be taught that the needs of the majority are of prime importance, and they must be willing to sacrifice their own desires to help make a strong country for their children, a country without fear."
"You're talking like a Communist again. People in our country would never let anyone get such control of their minds."
"That's where you're wrong. They're letting it happen to them every day. Television is the greatest brainwashing instrument ever devised by man. It is creating a mass passivity which is extremely dangerous for the mental health of our country. Millions devote billions of hours soaking up the banalities peddled in the name of big business. It has the same intrusive destruction on the spirit of man as religion had in the past. Only now there is a double threat. The fundamentalist preachers are smart enough to know what a tremendous power resides in the tube, and the untold millions who are already addicted to it. They have come out of their tents and their churches and by way of television, have invaded the very homes of their victims. Freement must find a way of getting his message over the airways. When we have a strong core, we will use their methods to defeat them."
A throbbing bell in the corridor ended our discussion. "You should continue this discussion tonight," said Stu.
"Where are we going to meet?"
"Why not Maple Park. The weather's great, and we might even get a larger crowd if we held it outdoors."
We had organized a telephone cell system which proved invaluable when we wanted to get a message to other Freementers. We each called three persons, and they in turn called three others. Word of a Freement meeting could spread throughout the city in less than a half hour.
The size of the crowd amazed me. Stu and Rick had done an excellent job of organizing Freement visits in the High Schools. This was the first opportunity I had to see all the Freementers in the city at one gathering.
"Two hundred and forty-seven. Can you believe it. That was a stroke of genius you had sending us to the High Schools. Most of these kids are still in their teens. They sure go for your ideas."
"It's terrific Stu. Imagine what it'll be like in a few years. When we started, I had my doubts. But now, after only nine months...well, all I can say is, thanks a lot Stu. I don't think I could've done it without you."
"Let's stop patting ourselves on the back and get out there before they start getting restless."
Crowded around the empty bandshell, standing in the back, or sitting on the rows of benches in front, a sea of faces looked up at me. A couple of fellows had parked their cars on each side of the bandstand, and turned on their lights to illuminate us, as we came on stage. A loud roar went up. I signalled for them to stop.
"I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I want you to understand we are taking a chance meeting like this. I don't think we should risk attracting unnecessary attention. Stu will you have those guys kill the car lights."
As I began speaking, I got the mental picture of Christ facing his disciples as they sat on the ground at his feet, preaching the sermon on the mountain. He gave them his beatitudes. I would give my followers a living formula. I reviewed my debate with Marshall and continued explaining the historical context of today's Christianity.
"...and it was the Protestant reformation which gave rise to our capitalistic system. When Calvin abolished the infallible authority of the Church of Rome, he put man in a position where he had to face God alone. Each man was to be a priest unto himself. Each man believed he had to prosper in his physical endeavours to demonstrate that he had God's blessing. For this reason, Quakers who sought religious freedom in this country, brought with them an ambition which led to their prosperity. They showed by their acquisition of material things, that God's blessing was upon them. Under Freement, man will continue to work for material things, but he will do so because of his physical need for these things, not because he owes anything to a non-existent God."
"All of you must understand that Freement is a realistic way of life. Once you become mentally free, you will never be trapped again by rules, either religious or social. This is a revolutionary life I offer you. You have vowed to destroy God,
and religion. You will not be truly free until all your fellow men are cleansed of these devastating lies."
"Being a Freementer is a two edged sword. I call it the active and passive phases of our belief. Actively, I expect my followers to deliberately interfere with religious functions. Go to services and disrupt them. Challenge the priests and ministers to prove without a doubt there is a God. You will be persecuted, ridiculed, and exiled from your families. But as you live this better life, you will enjoy the freedom from the burden of conscience."
"The passive role, is interior. No Freementer will ever again fear what might happen if he turns from this non-existent God. Free yourselves my dear friends from all the repressions to which your young lives have been subjected. Never again will you utter a silent prayer. There is nothing to hear these murmurs. There is only you, and the world you make is of your own choosing."
"You have heard me tell you about the other outcasts in our midst. Let them become your role models. I'm not advocating that you become drunkards and prostitutes, but I do say that we can learn from these fellow creatures, the kind of courage it takes to turn one's back on society, and live according to our needs. I
believe a man should be able to do whatever he wants without answering to anyone. And if you choose to be a hooker, a drunk, or an addict, you will have a friend in Freement."
"I know many of you are shocked that I would advocate such a drastic step. Let me explain what I mean. If you continue living in your comfortable dorms, or at home with your families, you will continue to follow the lifestyle which is the product of your social conditioning. You cannot destroy religion in your life. if you pay it lip service to ensure you will maintain the standard of life you now have. This is a revolution we are in. Freementers are revolutionaries. You cannot bring about change without first changing yourselves. Move into Skid Row. Get to know these people. See how they behave. See freedom in action. Be free yourselves."
"I'm not saying you will have to remain in exile. I just feel that such an experience is essential to bringing about a change in your value system. It is not easy to face the world alone, without God, but it is the only world we've got, let's
make the best of it."
"I know there are many of you here tonight have come with friends who are Freementers. You are here out of curiosity. That's a valid motivation. There are several who are here because you are sexually interested in someone who is a Freementer. I say help each other with the satisfaction of sexual needs. Marriage
is dead. It was a cruel control created by the church and state. If you want to live together, then live together. Be free. Get rid of those ridiculous hang ups that are crippling your spirit."
" Freement believes that where there is knowledge, there is no evil. For this reason I urge you to try anything, and everything which in the past you considered sinful. There is no sin. There is no soul. There is no God to judge you when all is
said and done. There is just you, and the world you make for yourself. Under Freement, there is just mental freedom and the eternal joy of being one's self, content to do whatever is required to satisfy our needs."
Clara watched me very closely as I spoke. She was suspicious that my final remarks were meant for her, and our relationship. What I was saying was not for other Freementers, but were for Freement himself. I was creating a theory for myself. The response was fantastic. Several couples came up and told me they were going to begin living together like I had recommended. Many said they were going to leave their families and move in to the Skid Row area and get first hand experience.
Clara stood by, listening to their statements. When I finished with my followers, she came to me. "Marty, I've got to talk to you."
"Don't tell me I've upset you again?"
"Can we go somewhere. I don't want the others to hear."
We went to my car as the crowd slowly dispersed.
"What's the problem this time Clara?"
"Doubts...I have so many doubts Marty."
"About what?"
"Are you trying to give them freedom, or are you thinking only of yourself?"
"What's wrong Clara? Don't you love me anymore?"
"There you go again. Lately whenever I try to discuss something with you, you always ask that question. Tonight, you weren't talking to them. You were talking to me."
"Yes Clara. I was. I need you darling. Please come with me. We can move into an apartment on Brush Street like the others."
"I can't Marty. I'm just not ready. Please give me more time."
Her words reminded me of myself begging Lizbet for more time. The roles were reversed now.
"Okay Clara. Only because I truly love you. I don't want to lose you."
"I do love you Marty."
"But..."
"But there are times I feel what you are saying is wrong, and that you are an anti-Christ. It's terrible Marty. My conscience is driving me crazy."
"I know my darling. This type of thinking takes time. It has taken me several years."
She kissed me. "Don't ever make me hate you Marty. Don't ever make me want to leave you."
"I don't want to make you do anything you don't want to do for yourself. That's what this is all about Clara. All I want is that you will become yourself."
"I don't understand Marty."
"Right now Clara, you are all the things people have wanted you to be. All I ask Is that you become what Clara wants to be. Be free my darling. Be happy."
"God I do love you so much."
I had to admit it. I really do have the gift of gab. I liked being Freement. He was my kind of guy.

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