Say I am going to murder someone in five years. If God does know everything, including our future, then does that mean he knows that I will murder someone before I even think of doing it? If he does, then that means he forced me to kill, and I have no free will. If he doesn't then does that mean he doesn't know everything and I have free will?
Serious answers please.
2006-09-18 22:36:44 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
All gods are just made-up ideas, created by people for their own selfish purposes.
2006-09-18 22:40:16 · answer #1 · answered by Jim 5 · 2⤊ 5⤋
You're quite right. Free will and omniscience don't mix. I guess an apologetically minded soul say something like "well ,God knows everything about you and therefore knows how you will choose to react to anything. Thus, he knows how you will act in the future, and since he knows this about all people at the same time, he can predict the future with 100% accuracy."
Still, that's just elaborating whatever method this God would have of divining the future. It still throws free will out of the window, because free will would imply that God could NOT predict every little thing.
2006-09-18 22:41:10 · answer #2 · answered by SonniS 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are assuming that because an entity knows the future, that entity controls the future... your premise excludes the possibility (and the likelihood) that such an entity would exist outside of linear time as we understand it.
Imagine for a moment that you are on top of a building overlooking the city streets. A car driver going north from 1st street to 10th street is moving of his own volition. He may not be able to see that there is a gigantic pothole at 6th street, which will mean he has to detour to make the trip safely. The driver still has the choice - go forward and risk damage to the vehicle, or follow the detour route. Assuming you know that the driver always does what is necessary to keep his car safe, you know he will take the detour... does the fact that you knew take away the driver's free will???
Just because God knows us and so understands the choices we will make does not mean he forces us to make those choices.
2006-09-18 23:16:02 · answer #3 · answered by Rev T L Clark 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Offcouse i think good question....
i will tell u what i beieve..
God is responcible for everything whether u do right things or wrong things .. He knows everything and he will male all the work with us..
i mean.. He knows that u are going to kill in 5 yrs. But what u don't know is u are going to kill that person because it is the Order of the God to kill him that's y u are killing
That person is getting killied because of His fate .. Means
If u do any wrong things u definitely get the punushment by in some form .. that know one knows Only God knows.
and God will punish accordingly. in right time in some way
Because anyway.. Evryone has to die One day..because of what we did ..it may be right or wrong
i think u are not free.. because u have to follow always Gods Orders and u are doing that always.....The thing we are enjoying and everything decided by God
for example
IF u want to keep your hands in water u will keep it and If u don't want to keep u don't keep and u think that u are free
But actually u are free in some sence
actually what happens is
Before u keep.. God know everything about u
and he will decide when u keep it in water and when u dont' keep....
SO.. Everything happens according to the Go'd Order
...Hope u understand me.........Good Luck
2006-09-18 22:47:28 · answer #4 · answered by ashu 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First let's remember we're talking about God, He is not bounded by time. Events fold out as we express our free will, but our Father in heaven, not bounded by time constraints can and has seen all events take place at once.
So in answer to your question, referencing your scenario, you can see it as God allows you, not causes you, to kill, because this is your will. He knows all our thoughts and ways, before we act out our will.
I suggest picking up a revised American standard version of the Holy Bible, and reading it, starting with John in the New Testament and at the same time, read this wonderful book from front to back while attending a Bible study group.
Please forgive any spelling or grammatical errors, thank you.
2006-09-18 22:47:46 · answer #5 · answered by m2u_95119 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say that we do have free will, but that doesn't mean that God doesn't know everything. Say you have a friend that has to pick one door out of 3 to walk through. You know what is behind the doors, but you do not tell her cause she has to make her own choices. God is the same way--he is here to comfort us when we make the wrong choice and be happy with us when we make a good one. I hope this helps.
2006-09-18 22:42:13 · answer #6 · answered by patchen_mom 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try not to think of it in linear, cause and effect terms but rather as a dynamic mass that is constantly changing and growing (think standing water). Our future is not decided for us, certain things may be fated to happen along the way depending on the choices we make. But free-will determines our destiny. Each one of us can walk to the tallest bridge and jump over the edge, bringing our destiny and life to a close. We cannot control our life, but we can control the choices we make that determine the course our life is going to take.
2006-09-19 11:48:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is more than one path in life to take. He hopes you take the right one. But if he knows your going to take the wrong one he might place one somewhere that some good can come out of it. Cause and effect. I have always have a theory. I put my self in his place for a second. If you know everything that is going to happen, wouldn't it be a little boring. Maybe he decided not to look more ahead than a certain point or a certain amount of years.
2006-09-18 22:47:44 · answer #8 · answered by carabela 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A parent can somehow "predict" what his son will do based on previous experiences about him and that he saw him behaving since he was born...
God, the creator, knows what will you "choose to do" in your future because He knows everything about you. God didn't force you to do anything, but he just knows for sure everything includine your "future actions that you'll decisde to do"...
I hope the point is clear now...
2006-09-20 23:30:34 · answer #9 · answered by toon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you will read the Holy Bible, what is written there will let you know that while you are still in your Mother's womb, GOD has plans for you already. And if you will murder someone, well, that's the work of the devil and not included in HIS plans for you. GOD loves humankind.
2006-09-18 22:50:51 · answer #10 · answered by Maganda 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just because God knows what you are going to do doesn't mean He forced you to do it. It only means that He allowed it to happen.
I know if I leave cookies on the table my 10 year old son will eat one. That doesn't mean I forced him to eat the cookie.
2006-09-18 22:46:03 · answer #11 · answered by N3WJL 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋