And I'll prove you wrong.
2006-08-16 16:12:54 · 9 answers · asked by Salami and Orange Juice 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
John: I can only refute the illogical arguments of others. That's all anyone can do.
2006-08-17 03:50:29 · update #1
laetusatheos
Omniscience does not preclude freewill. You are confusing omnipotence. If I were a psychic who knew all - I could write down what you would do tomorrow. That wouldn't prevent you from making decisions at that time and place. I just had foreknowledge. You are right - If God is omnipotent -why doesn't he change things? Because then we wouldnt have free will!
2006-08-17 04:13:51 · update #2
It is funny how people will accept an apparent contradiction if it involves something physical (Like, how can an electron be both a particle AND a wave at the same time? It makes no sense.), but when you are dealing with a subject like God, people expect everything to be simple and easy to understand, or else they reject it.
God is more complex than quantum mechanics (which God created). Why should God be easy to understand?
BTW, here is one theory as to how they co-exist (based on the idea that God is "timeless"; that is, he can freely move back and forth through time):
2006-08-17 03:39:57 · answer #1 · answered by Randy G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can co-exist if there are limits placed on knowledge...for instance if a god knows everything that is possible but does not have knowledge of the future till the free agent makes the choice, then free will and omniscience/omnipotence can coexist.
For example a god could know B or -B will happen...which would give that god all possible knowledge yet not include knowledge which would conflict with free will. The problem of free will comes into the equation when god is claimed to have knowledge of future events...because if god knows that Chris will choose B on X date and X time then Chris must choose B because choosing -B would act against god's knowledge and god can't be wrong.
I know there is an argument for how predestination and free will can work together...but I don't remember how that worked at the moment and also didn't find it very convincing.
edit: I thought for a moment and remembered the argument. It deals with placing god outside of time so that everything happens in time (past present and future) has essentially already happened in god's view. I don't consider it a very good argument because time is essentially a measurement of movement, a being which acts can't not move...so a god would have to be in time. Also, it still runs into the problem (if the god is one that only allows one path to salvation) of a god creating everything knowing exactly how it would turn out...If god is claimed to be loving, then I don't see how it would want to create knowing that the world would turn out as it is today..where there are so many religions that the majority must have chosen the wrong one.
2006-08-16 23:24:18 · answer #2 · answered by laetusatheos 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that they can co-exist.
However I am very interested in your proof.
Cordially,
John
2006-08-16 23:16:45 · answer #3 · answered by John 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20060815220822AADeFgr
This guy did it last night. Read his other questions too. There's 3 parts. VERY insightful.
2006-08-16 23:25:51 · answer #4 · answered by Spookshow Baby 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sir, when we cannot prove that ominpotence and omniescience exist, how can we prove that they cant co-exist with free will?
2006-08-16 23:18:48 · answer #5 · answered by anonymous 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no you won't. neither view can be proven, so you can't be right or wrong, only of a different opinion.
2006-08-16 23:18:45 · answer #6 · answered by de bossy one 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry but I agree with you!
GREAT Q though!
2006-08-16 23:17:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it can. the problem is one of who is actually incharge. humans will always come in second
2006-08-16 23:18:32 · answer #8 · answered by firechap20 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ha, ha, ha.
2006-08-16 23:21:43 · answer #9 · answered by Jonnie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋