2007-02-25 14:56:28 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Absolutely. Free will, in theory, means having the freedom to choose the path which is right....its defined as "The power of making free choices that are unconstrained by external circumstances or by an agency such as fate or divine will." By holding the threat of retribution over mankind, our free will becomes subject to divine will...and becomes non-existent. Though, I would argue that the Bible as it is today has undergone so many revisions, and interpretations, that there is no telling what was actually written to begin with.
However, to sum up...free will is an oxymoron when you link retribution to it.
2007-02-25 15:07:40 · answer #1 · answered by aidan402 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Probably moreso for the free will of non-believers. Perhaps they respond to this perceived threat with rebellion. In a state of rebellion the threat of eternal damnation becomes more prominent.
For the believer the chief motivation is love and gratitude. As such the threat of eternal damnation is not contemplated.
The good citizen has little reason to think about prison, unlike the law breaker.
2007-02-25 15:18:40 · answer #2 · answered by ignoramus_the_great 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
God never threatened us with eternal damnation...that's just something most religions have made up to make their followers obedient. The Bible even tells us that Jesus spent 3 days in Gehenna (look it up in your copy of the Bible). It also tells us at Ecclesiastes 9:5,10 that the dead are concious of nothing at all. The Bible also tells us that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.
2007-02-25 15:05:19 · answer #3 · answered by ♥Catherine♥ 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. I don't think fear of Hell is enough to make people good. People that are good are so because they have a conscience which they follow. They may hope for Heaven but it isn't a fear of Hell that keeps them from hurting others. It's just their own decency, love & respect for others. Most people who choose to do evil don't even believe in Hell or Heaven or God. They don't have a conscience. They don't care about people & feel no remorse for hurting others. God gave us freewill to choose whatever path we take. Some choose good & others evil. We are not his puppets or pawns. He does not intervene in our lives. Some people say "How can he allow evil people to thrive? Why does he let these things happen?" But if he stepped in each time someone did something wrong then we wouldn't be free. Reward or punishment comes in the afterlife. In this world, we are in control.
2007-02-25 21:32:24 · answer #4 · answered by amp 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God gave man free will, but show me where he threatens us with hell fire and damnation? The idea of Hell and eternal punishment was invented by the Holy Roman Church to keep people in line.
2007-02-25 18:15:47 · answer #5 · answered by charliecizarny 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
--It amazes me how many people want to believe the obscene teaching of hellfire.
--Because religion has taught this perverted idea and tried to make God as the author of it, does that mean you have to believe it because of it being so popular?
--Why not believe in the Bible rather than an obscene idea that is popular, are people embarrased to believe in what is not popular, sounds like it to me? FOR INSTANCE please note:
(Numbers 23:19) “19 God is not a man that he should tell lies,(or conjure up perverted ideas or acts--MY COMMENT) Neither a son of mankind that he should feel regret. Has he himself said it and will he not do it, And has he spoken and will he not carry it out?”
Note in comparison , what he said to those who would want to change his MORALITIES , and the warnings given:
(Psalm 50:16-21) “16 But to the wicked one God will have to say: “What right do you have to ENUMERATE MY REGULATIONS(my caps), And that you may bear my covenant in your mouth? 17 Why, you—you have hated discipline, And you keep throwing my words behind you. 18 Whenever you saw a thief, you were even pleased with him; And your sharing was with adulterers. 19 Your mouth you have let loose to what is bad, And your tongue you keep attached to deception. 20 You sit [and] speak against your own brother, Against the son of your mother you give away a fault. 21 These things you have done, and I kept silent YOU IMAGINED(my caps) that I would positively become like you. I am going to reprove you, and I will set things in order before your eyes.22 Understand this, please, YOU forgetters of God,
That I may not tear [YOU] to pieces without there being any deliverer. .. . .”
--Thus when humans use threats that God HAS NOT SANCTIONED. the threats are slanders about God & he does not will not accept such misrepresentation--these are included among the sinful acts that humans engage in.
2007-02-25 15:18:46 · answer #6 · answered by THA 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sorry i dont believe in Theats, if its by someones god or by a person.
If they have to resort to mer threats then they are just full of Bull Dust.
So my free will is not influenced by there God.
But by what is moral and right.
2007-02-25 15:18:25 · answer #7 · answered by A Lady Dragon 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are free to do anything you want if you believe in free will God will be the final judge of your actions If you are a murderer or a pedophile you may end up in Hell The average person doesn't go to hell
2007-02-25 16:29:20 · answer #8 · answered by hobo 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
We have no free will. God's existence is threatened by the influence of deterministic reality.
2007-02-25 15:50:30 · answer #9 · answered by Daniel J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
probably but I think free will is over rated anyway.
2007-02-25 15:08:35 · answer #10 · answered by Adelaide V 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋