Our purpose here atRationalWiki includes:

1. Analyzing and refutingpseudoscience and theanti-science movement;
2. Documenting the full range ofcrank ideas;
3. Explorations ofauthoritarianism andfundamentalism;
4. Analysis and criticism of how these subjects are handled in themedia.

We welcome contributors, and encourage those who disagree with us toregister and engage inconstructive dialogue.

We have 8,051 articles for your enjoyment.

Pseudolegal notice in Belfast, Northern Ireland using Freeman of the land terminology, "Sovereign patrick of the family: mc elroy; Authorized Agent and Representative for PATRICK McELROY"

Freeman on the land, also known asFMOTL,FOTL, "Footle" or simplyfreeman, is a form ofpseudolegalwoo in variousEnglish-speaking countries. Freemen believe they can opt out of being governed, and that what normal people understand to be "laws" are merely a form of "contract" that applies only if people consent to it. In short: saying a fewmagic incantations super-secret legal phrases will get you out ofanything!

Freemen hold that we are all subject to a massive international legalconspiracy perpetrated for the profit of theelites, but thatyou can hack the system if you justuse the right form of words. They believe only in their version of natural law, which they call "common law." In practical terms, they believe this means they do not have to paytaxes, debts, mortgages, etc. because we were all deceived and if you say the right form of words, this fact will be accepted! Think of it as people trying to use a real-life'cheat code' or amagicalincantation.

Freemen believe they can declare themselves independent ofgovernment jurisdiction using the concept of "lawful rebellion": that all statute law is contractual and therefore only applicable if an individual consents to it. They assert that what everyone else regards as "the law" doesn't apply to them as they have not consented to a contract (or sometimes "covenant") with thestate, even going so far as to claim they have a lawful right to refuse arrest if they do not consent. They insist that the government is acorporation, are obsessed with maritime law, and call themselves things like "John of the family Smith." Essentially, they're hilarious — and while somewhat less threatening thansovereign citizens, freemen are (as of 2015) being recognized as a domestic terrorist threat by both theFBI and the CanadianCSIS. The B.C. Notaries and the Law Society of B.C. also both warned the public about the Freemen, which the Law Society worryingly numbers at as many as 30,000 individuals inCanada alone (as of 2013).

RationalWiki portal:

Seeour guide for newcomers!

A brief history of RationalWiki...

Sharehow you found RationalWiki!

For general chatter that doesn't fit anywhere else, theSaloon Bar is the place to go.

Essay portal:

Essays written by individual users covering a wide range of subjects. Comment on the talk pages or write your own.

Debate portal:

Informal debates covering political and philosophical issues. Participate freely or start your own.

Writing articles:

Read up onwhat a RationalWiki page is and ourcommunity standards.

Take a look at thehelp pages if you're having trouble.

We also keep a list ofuseful links.

Ourto do list is where we pile up ideas for articles. See if anything piques your interest