Okay- we have free will, right?
Then, take god's word- he knew each and every one of us before we were born, he knew everything we would do, everything that would happen- it's all in god's plan..
Then, basically, his word has just voided itself, and, by his own word, we have no free will, because whatever happens has been planned out, and he already knows everything we'll ever do.
Thus, no free will.
Care to counter this?
2007-04-16 13:14:41 · 7 answers · asked by Grindle 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
God created man a rational being, conferring on him the dignity of a person who can initiate and control his own actions.
"God willed that man should be 'left in the hand of his own counsel,' so that he might of his own accord seek his Creator and freely attain his full and blessed perfection by cleaving to him."
http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/pt3sect1chpt1art3.htm
+ Example +
I have a small child, I know and love this child with all my heart and mind. This child looks at a cookie on the table. I know this child well enough that I know she will take the cookie. The child takes the cookie. Does the child have free will or did I force the child to take the cookie?
God loves and knows us infinitely more than I know that child. Is it not reasonable that God knows what we will do and still not force our actions?
+ With love in Christ.
2007-04-17 18:37:14 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, some might say this is exactly the Mystery ... and that some things cannot be explained fully with the knowledge we have on earth (we are not all knowing). That would be the standard 'counter'. I personally do not quite buy in to the idea that God knows it all before it happens and prefer the idea of God walking beside us through whatever choices we make.
2007-04-17 21:08:47 · answer #2 · answered by Terri 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This may sound like heresy to many but the truth is that God gave us free will in order that He may discover Himself through our spiritual experiences. Free will is there all right; the only thing is that all possible outcomes of our actions had been worked out. So anything we do always elicits an effect; this way, we learn, and God discovers Himself.
Please download this short but interesting book "Is Life a Random Walk?" at the link below.
2007-04-23 15:37:42 · answer #3 · answered by RAFIU 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Free Will is the exploration of the mind and body until you encounter handicap. God's hand is mystery. That's all you have to accept.
2007-04-24 19:41:30 · answer #4 · answered by astrokick 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not only knows... LOVES the ones he knows. He foreknew them from before the foundations of the world. He knows his sheep, and the sheep know his name. You're right, no free will.
2007-04-18 00:02:15 · answer #5 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do whatever you want only know that it has been recorded
2007-04-24 15:38:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have free will i don't allow religion to constrict who i am i am a christian agnostic : )
2007-04-17 10:17:25 · answer #7 · answered by Equal Rights 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋