2007-02-04 01:19:03 · 16 answers · asked by NHBaritone 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I know what you're getting at! But I suppose you'd have to just be aware of it, as a philosophical thought, but live your life normally (otherwise you'd get nothing done!)
People - Determinism doesn't mean things would be pushed into our lives like miracles, it means that everything is affected by the past. So things are inevitable. If you sat around doing nothing, you would probably not achieve anything, whether you have free will or not.
2007-02-04 01:34:55 · answer #1 · answered by serf m 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
According the original Bible Manuscripts, everyone has free will except for one group, called Gods Election. This group was chosen by God, not because they are better than anyone else, but because they fought on the side of God without faltering.
When? Before Adam and Eve came on the scene, in the last earth age. Satan was to guard the very throne that was reserved for the Christ; instead, satan wanted to be the Son of God, and the one to sit on the throne, so a great war began. Every single soul here today was there, and, just like people of today, you had those who went on the side of satan, then there were those that stayed neutral, and didn't care either way, as long as it didn't affect them (whats new under the sun, huh?) and then there was a group that stayed faithfully with God. When satan was defeated, this group of esspecially faithful followers were chosen by God as His Elect - they earned it. They were already judged at that time, so they will not go through the judgement at the end of this earth age - because they have already been judged, they do not require the free will to choose - they already did choose.
So, to answer your question, you will know if you do not have free will by studying the scripture and at the time appointed, you will know whether you have it or not.
I can tell you that from what is recorded, if a person is fully aware of the fact that Antichrist comes first, before the true Christ, and is preparing to be a witness against the fake, then the chances that you are of the Election is very, very strong.
All others have free will.
2007-02-04 09:36:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without free will, you would not be aware of not having it!
Doesn't having a free will indicate the need for awareness to be able to function? (whether one has the awareness of a dog or a human matters not ) I believe that such a need for awareness is indicated and a must for someone with free will.
Without free will there is no awareness, only machine like action!
This could be the result of two separate scenarios that I see: 1. you are a robot-like entity directed by an outside intelligence, or 2. the universe is running a 'tape' where all actions are pre-recorded--the idea of predestination or fate.
2007-02-04 09:42:59 · answer #3 · answered by Fuzzy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is simple, we have to take into account that we are a product of our environment, our genes, and our experiences. A simple and very accurate test is to review how well advertising works, and how well politics work.
Another reason is every decision we make, is actually made before it is enacted upon. We have already decided unconsciously before we "decided" to proceed.
How would we be aware of it. We would become aware through various experiences that have happened to us.
2007-02-04 09:28:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your hypothetical and philosophical question answers itself. Since you do not have free will how can you be aware of it? You might not even know there is such a thing.
May the Lord's peace be with you
2007-02-04 09:28:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a really good question. I believe that all of us are in fact operating like mindless windup machines, most of the time. But I do believe that human beings, at least those with at least ordinary intelligence, do occasionally make decisions regarding their basic orientation in life, whether they will be on the side of Good or on the side of Evil. Members of the Jehovah's Witness religion have told me that every person is either a slave (or servant) of Jehovah God or a slave (or servant) of Satan, that there is no alternative whatsoever, and that each person's only choice is whom they will serve. In general, I think I agree with your point, which I think is that we have much less freedom of will than we generally think we do.
2007-02-04 09:37:15 · answer #6 · answered by Dr. SC1ence 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on what you mean by free will. In the theological sense, we are told this in the Bible, it's that simple, we do not have the ability to look to God for salvation. Free will exists, but it's nothing to be desired if none of the decisions we make lead to Heaven. Faith itself is measured out to God's own, the vessel doesn't say "what are you putting in me, I have to accept first", it just takes the faith that God puts into it.
2007-02-04 19:45:30 · answer #7 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are aware because God allows us to make our own choices in life. I can choose to do the right thing or the wrong thing. (Morally speaking) If I chose to go rob a bank or to go kill someone, then that is a choice I made on my own. If I choose to follow God, or not follow God then that is my choice. Why would you even question it? It makes no sense to me why you would ask such a question.
2007-02-04 09:27:11 · answer #8 · answered by seattlesonicsnumberone 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You wouldnt.
Someone would have to tell you.
And whether youd actually believe them is ofcourse a completely different matter.
2007-02-04 09:42:24 · answer #9 · answered by Antares 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because you wouldn't have to worry about making any choices. We do, so obviously we have free will.
2007-02-04 09:22:28 · answer #10 · answered by Open Heart Searchery 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋