Let's first look at how TRUE free will works...
Remember the game show Let's Make a Deal?
There are two doors. You don't know what is behind them. You know there might be a great prize, but there might also be 200 can's of cat food. Monte Hall always gives you the option... keep what you have, or trade for one of the doors. You're not coerced. The choice is entirely your own.
Now here is Christian free will...
Monte tells you that behind door #1 is a great prize, and behind door number #2 is eternal torment. He suggests you choose door number one, but you are allowed to choose door number 2 if you want to burn. You can opt to not choose either and keep what you have, but before you leave the studio you'll be forced to exchange it for door #2 anyway.
Now, what have we learned? We've learned that god's free will isn't actually free will at all. It's COERCION because you know what the outcome of your choice is, and you know that one outcome was specifically designed to terrify you!
2007-07-05 13:27:19 · 38 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Naturally, courageous people would never choose door #1 in the second scenario, because that would be submitting to oppression.
2007-07-05 13:31:38 · update #1
To me free will is having the choice to try and live as spiritually as possible or to give into the flesh.we can't serve two masters.If we use our free will and choose to live spiritually we will reap the benefits. If we choose to live as the material mortal man we will suffer the consequences. God does not punish. Sin brings it own punishment.
2007-07-11 04:36:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, that is not free will - at least not as you want it to be. Free will is still limited by the choice of 2 options, so it is a limited freedom. Autonomy (self law) would mean you could choose either door, #3, or choose to take the mic from Monty and be the host, if you wished. You can't do that though, so you are limited.
That is the concept we as Christians are trying to point out. Sin has come into the world, and we all are corrupted by it. You don't get a choice in the matter, you are born in sin. Much like you can't choose your parents or which country you are born in, it just is. God in His mercy chooses to open some eyes, and you see you are standing there with two basic options, life or death. The sad thing is many do not even see this and run headlong into death, freely.
So, you are not coerced, but given a chance to have life and have it more abundantly ... why is that a bad thing?
Ath
2007-07-13 03:10:46 · answer #2 · answered by athanasius was right 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WOW! You are a GENIUS! You actually spent a lot of time thinking that out. You've had you're choice made for a long time. You made your choice by your statements. You don't believe in God, better yet, you know he exists and that pisses you off because you can't do exactly what you want and still make it to Heaven. (Just guessing of course). You want to be number 1, but it bothers you because God is greater so you think of something like this to make yourself feel better when people like the above, answer the way you want them to. So that's your choice. It's not COERCION, It's a choice. Heaven or Hell, a free will choice, that you and I have made. Remember, you can always exchange Door #2 anytime for Door #1, anytime before you die (or leave the studio as you say). Jesus Christ gives you a lot more time than Monty Hall gave the contestants on Let's Make A Deal. You have all your life to make the choice, but who knows when their life is going to end.
2007-07-05 14:09:40 · answer #3 · answered by mitch 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I found this a fascinating and tantalizing argument against the concept of free will in Christianity. Clearly, you gave this a lot of thought and felt as if you'd come across a great revelation.
The problem, however, is that we often make stupid choices with our free will. For example, I probably shouldn't have eaten those eight rice krispy treats b/c I lost my appetite for dinner, consumed too much saturated fat (which is bad for my heart), and put on weight that I've been trying to lose. I didn't have to eat those rice krispy treats. I knew the consequences. But I made the choice that sounded good immediately.
Similarly, although eternal damnation has no enjoyable aspects (such as rice krispy treats, which taste good), it's hard to think about that when damnation is so far away. And accepting the gift of salvation means you can't do all the naughty things that sound as if they *might* be fun and enjoyable in the present.
Satan is there telling you that. "Oh for goodness' sake," he whispers in exasperation. "When He said 'eternal damnation,' He didn't *mean* it. It'll be a bit warm. We'll all get naked and have freaky sex. A loving God wouldn't send anybody to hell. Now, who wants to go lust after someone?"
Life is full of bad choices that no one has coerced you into making. But you made them anyway. So have I. And if I didn't have forgiveness, I'd be on my way to hell, too.
2007-07-05 14:29:59 · answer #4 · answered by Jen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your example is misguided. There have been many Christian martyrs who refused to do the choices that the Roman Emperors have given them. They chose to be eaten by the lions instead of giving in to what they believed and knew was wrong.
We are given freedom to say no, yes or whatever. You can choose not to be on a show that you know will lead to an unwilled answer. You can choose to play along and see what happens.
Just because God gives us free will and leaves it up to us how we will use it, doesn't make God the villan.
You are limiting yourself and god in this game example. Why not just walk up behind the curtain and see whats there and go home?
There are many choices. Each choice has a consequence. But its our choice. Why blame God?
2007-07-13 05:28:42 · answer #5 · answered by hossteacher 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
News flash kiddo. The Bible does not teach free will. Adam and Eve did not have free will. They were destined to make the "wrong" choice, which in the end will be revealed it was the necessary choice.
And there were three doors in that game show.
Free will would mean there would be an infinite number of doors to choose. Such is not the case.
.
2007-07-05 13:36:04 · answer #6 · answered by Hogie 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, free will is not part of Christian religion if you're being threatened with eternal hellfire and punishment. If a dictator in a country told the people, "Obey me or be tortured", he would be vilified, not glorified. Fear and threats have nothing to do with love, and that's how God was supposed to be, love. If there is a God running a game show like the Christian afterlife game, he is the opposite of love and mercy.
2007-07-05 13:37:30 · answer #7 · answered by Graciela, RIRS 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
So based on your logic.................
If you take door #1 you have been bribed to gain a great prize because you know about it and it is the prize to get.
If you take door #2 for the torment and you know it, that does not make you the brightest bulb in the lot.
Having the choice of a great outcome seems to be the intelligent choice.
Choose to burn on purpose?
Doesn't seem logical, but that is your interpretation.
Get A Grip.
2007-07-05 13:38:39 · answer #8 · answered by Get A Grip 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
no he already knows the chioce your going to make but you stilll have to make choices
its so you can't say god made me come to heaven those who really love him will be the ones to show up in heaven
GOD IS ALL KNOWING
he knows everything thats going to happen before it happens!!
but you choosing no door is just like choosing door #2
2007-07-12 02:00:03 · answer #9 · answered by ricky t. 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're going to get fired today, anyway. I have a feeling you're not very sneaky... and your boss banned you from this place. I think you should try extra hard not to laugh at fart jokes. I know it's tough... but think of your drug habit.
2016-05-19 02:22:42 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋