I hear many times that free will is why there are murders/rapes/thefts/etc... So if all humans had the compassion of Gandhi, would we not have free will? Could we not be kind to each other and still have the choice of following god or not? Do you believe that this is the best of all possible worlds? That it would be impossible for humans to be any other way and yet still have free will?
I know that's more than one question, but they are all of a kind, so answer as you see fit, but please try to answer what I have asked and not just "god knows what he's doing".
(atheists, please don't bother, I know, god doesn't exist, I get it, this is for believers and specifically xians)
Thank you.
2007-01-12 06:18:03 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Gandhi is a poor example?
Oh
My
Goodness
You must be joking
2007-01-12 06:28:23 · update #1
Great
6 answers and not single answer to my actual question.
2007-01-12 06:29:03 · update #2
Most honest-hearted people want to know why there is so much hatred and violence. The response "free will" is only part of the answer. We can exercise our free will and be compassionate and loving or we can exercise our free will and refuse to do so. Both are choices, that is true. But it is unreasonable to suggest that "free will" is the end-all and be- all answer to the question of why there is so much violence and hatred. Because if it were, then clearly, violence and hatred will not only never end but will continue to spiral out of control until we annihilate ourselves.
The remainder of the answer to the question has to do with (1) the challenge to the rightfulness and righteousness of God's sovereignty and (2) the integrity of humans. This forum will not allow a complete answer to your question (my post would be far too long) but the short of it is that the challenges that were introduced by Satan in the Garden of Eden and then enlarged upon in the first two chapters of the book of Job are of a nature sufficiently serious and sufficiently slanderous to require a complete and satisfactory response from God. That is what God is doing now. And we, individually, have a share in that response as we are showing whose side we are on – whether we realize it or not. When that response has been fully made (which is happening even as we read), God will do away with all wickedness, hatred and violence which we are now forced to witness on a daily basis. Those who are on the side of God and his sovereignty will be preserved alive and blessed with peace and security.
Hannah
2007-01-12 06:33:30 · answer #1 · answered by Hannah J Paul 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Free will is you have a choice to believe in God or not, that you have a choice of living by good or by evil, I don't believe you have a choice of consequences though. You say "I know that God doesn't exist", how can that be? There is more proof that he exist than proof that he doesn't. Maybe you can't see or touch God, but you can't see or touch love or hatred either and still you see the results. I believe people that don't believe in God either fear his power or have no knowledge of him, or they're logical thinkers, and if it's logic, wouldn't it be better to believe than not? I know that someone created this universe and I don't think man is smart enough to do so. I believe God created all things including free will and atheist, but the difference is, atheist can change. You say "the compassion of Gandhi", the compassion of Jesus will fair the same results. Murders, rapist etc.have free will to chose their lifestyle and the people in our legal system has the free will to let them go or to convict them.
2007-01-12 07:23:29 · answer #2 · answered by D.B. Cooper 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Through Adam and Eve, the human race tried to become like God (the knowledge of good and evil) and in doing this welcomed in the workings of the devil. God forbade to eat from the fruit, but he also gave Adam and Eve free will. And when they disobeyed, there were consequences (read Genesis Chapter 3). There are always consequences to disobedience and those consequences are read and given in chapter 3. God warned, and the devil cast doubt upon Gods word (which he still does today), and man, trying to be like God (which he still does today) disobeyed God and ate, and therefor suffered for the disobedience and also got what he asked for (the knowledge of good and evil).
Hope I answered your question :) It was a good one.
EDIT: Also I heard this example from a pastor that God gave us free will because he wanted us to have a choice. Who wants to be loved by someone that was forced to love you? BUT INSTEAD knowing that each person in your life had a choice to love you or not love you, to love your or love someone or something else makes it all the more real and true. The same is with God. When my three year old son is having a hissy fit and decides he doesn't want to kiss me that day, how wonderful and how heart filled is the morning that I wake up and he is kissing me and loving me. I know that my son has free will and yet he choses to love me. How much more meaningful and true is that relationship that understands that truth.
2007-01-12 06:32:09 · answer #3 · answered by the BREEZE 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It seems you are asking if we are free if we have no choice but to be noble. What is nobility if we never need to strive for it? What is compassion if we know nothing of its' absence? What is human about being an automatic happiness dispenser? Where is freedom in uniform compliance? Who is Gandhi in a world full of Gandhis? I don't imagine God would settle for a world of flawless obedience or that people would appreciate it.
2007-01-12 07:22:03 · answer #4 · answered by stanhold 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
God gave us the gift of free will, starting with Adam and Eve. He also told us what the repercussions are of not following His commands, yet Adam and Eve disobeyed and committed the first sin. Without free will, we would all be like robots and God loves us too much for that. Free will means just that. A god loving person would never use their free will to harm anyone, they would follow God's word and live within His will. You are of course free to choose not to live as a christian and follow your own ways, commit murder etc., but then you will answer for that. Nothing more to it. God bless.
2007-01-12 06:27:15 · answer #5 · answered by VW 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
When He gave us free will, it was so we would CHOOSE to love and obey Him. You cant have free will if you are only free to do good.
It sure would be great if we'd all "Pay it Forward"
You said "answer as you see fit", then complain about the answers. This IS about opions. If we had all the answers, then we'd BE God. Maybe you should be more specific in your question, so we can better discuss it.
2007-01-12 06:24:40 · answer #6 · answered by QueenA 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
With their free will, many choose to live a life of evil, hatred, bigotry, lust, and lies.
Some live very goodlives.
Ghandi is a poor example. The best example is Jesus.
2007-01-12 06:24:12 · answer #7 · answered by Born Again Christian 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It seems like whenever I practice my freewill I get into trouble. I am always safe when I remember that it is the will of Our Father that I should practice.
2007-01-12 06:26:43 · answer #8 · answered by rezany 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We are not robots, we have free will to do good or evil. There are consequences to our actions though.
2007-01-12 06:46:42 · answer #9 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
free will
2007-01-12 06:21:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋