I'm not sure I do.
But I *choose* to believe in free will :)
2006-11-18 05:17:18 · 29 answers · asked by Helen B 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is certainly balanced with determinism. Each situation that happens we can choose how we handle it. We did not choose the situation, we can choose the solution.
2006-11-18 05:20:56 · answer #1 · answered by jmmevolve 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If this being is omnipotent, then every occurrence, including every human action, every human thought, and every human feeling and aspiration is also His work; how is it possible to think of holding men responsible for their deeds and thoughts before such an almighty Being? In giving out punishment and rewards He would to a certain extent be passing judgement on Himself. How can this be combined with the goodness and righteousness ascribed to him?
I use, "omnipotence," not in the sense that God exercised direct control over our judgement and choices, but that all choices we make can draw their ultimate cause to the God.
Seeing that all existence emanates, from what Aquinas calls the First Efficient Cause, it is impossible to promote the idea that “free will” exists. In order for your will to truly be free, and of your own making, the path to every decision you make must not be influenced or in any way encumbered by anything that is outside the decision itself. However, we very well know that the contrary is true. All decisions are based on some form of stimulus that is not of our making. If every stimulus has a cause then every cause leads up to the First Efficient Cause (God).
It would be probably be more accurate to call “free will” something like “consequential will” or “subjected will”. Hopefully you get the point that in order to truly have “free will” you must be the cause of yourself.
A being that is omnipotent and omniscient knows exactly how every product of his creation will react with each other, before they even react with each other. With this knowledge how can the creator blame the creation for not meeting up to the standards of the creator? If the creation (i.e human beings) transgresses law established by the creator, it is due to the weakness that was instilled in the creation by the creator. Adam and Eve would not have been weak enough to succumb to the temptation of the serpent unless they were created weak.
In conclusion, the concept of free will has no justification. For it is quite contrary to the view of God being the ultimate creator of all things.
2006-11-18 13:43:10 · answer #2 · answered by RED MIST! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your "choice" is right. FREE WILL does set us free. We have no one to blame to in case we fail to make the best judgement on what we choose to do in our life. We make our own fate and there are times we affect others by what we make of ourselves. That is the gift of God to us. He gave us two choices to make..To do what is right or to do what is not right. With that He gave us His blessings if we do the right things that he handed down for us to follow and His curse if we choose to do otherwise. His Blessings would only mean that he will protect you all the way in your works as long as it is the right thing you are doing. His Curse is not about giving you sickness, pains or failures in your life it is just that He will turn His eyes away from helping you when affliction comes your way. Whatever affliction that comes to you or whatever success on the other hand is the result of what you choose to do or what you did not choose to do.
The fate that you grew up into is caused by your immediate environment such as your parents, your family circle influence, your society, your educations and world events. However, your FREE WILL gives you the right to be creative so as to keep it if you are happy with it or to make the best judgement on your decisions to get out it if you believe it is not the kind of life you want to have. The only Divine Plan of God is a place for you to take part in His continuing cycle of life by doing the right things He said it was good in the beginning. So do not ask God why has He given you such pain. Look first within yourself. If you believe it is unfair, then ask for wisdom to know which way and to understand why.
2006-11-18 13:48:17 · answer #3 · answered by Rallie Florencio C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there is no such thing as free will than we all should stay in bed watch TV and eat Bon-bons all day. After all, if life will be what it will be regardless of our actions - why not take the easy way out? I believe in free-will - We create our own reality.
2006-11-18 13:29:24 · answer #4 · answered by Stiletto ♥ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I used to believe, but I grow up and learned it is just a fairy tail. There is no such thing. If we are not controlled by religion it is politics, if it is not politics, is is family, community, etc etc. Free well, not any more. If you speak your mind then you are not being political correct and so on. Nope, I don't believe in it. Anymore.
I like to believe we still have some free will, even if just a little, it is better than nothing.
2006-11-18 13:31:39 · answer #5 · answered by Today T 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Yes
2006-11-18 13:19:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, we do have free will, but sin clouds things over to the point that we do not have the ability to choose God. Claiming such ability is simply humanist hubris.
2006-11-18 13:28:40 · answer #7 · answered by ccrider 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Humorous!! But, it is a serious question. I've been wondering about it alot myself. I have researched it some and found nothing yet. I should probably focus more on it.
Thanks for the reminder!!
Good luck with your answers!!
2006-11-18 13:21:48 · answer #8 · answered by redeye.treefrog 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes the fact that you asked this question on your own shows that free will exists.
2006-11-18 13:25:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Everyone has free will. You are free to make good or bad decisions. There is a price to pay for every decision. Good luck!!!
2006-11-18 13:19:36 · answer #10 · answered by travelguruette 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋