What would be the problem in programming absolute, incontrovertible knowledge of God's existence into our brains and then allowing us to choose whether we love and worship this God or reject this God?
I mean... SERIOUSLY... why did this supposedly omniscient God not forsee how supremely unreliable his "I'll send them a book to inspire faith" method would be? A book left in the hands of mankind, a book editted and editted and editted... and translated and retranslated... and interpreted differently by EVERYONE... etc... how did God not see that this would be a REALLY crummy means of convincing us of his existence?
Making a personal announcement every decade or so, or programming into our minds an unavoidable and unquestionable certainty of his existence, wouldn't force us to love him and accept his salvation, so don't start in on that "God doesn't want puppets to worship him" or "God doesn't want robots to love him" stuff.
2007-10-11 10:27:28 · 11 answers · asked by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
For the record, I'm speaking of this "God" as though it exists so that you can answer the question within a comfortable mental framework. I don't actually believe in God and feel absolutely no "certainty" that God exists, so I'd ask that you also not argue that we "already are" programmed with certain knowledge of God's existence.
2007-10-11 10:29:48 · update #1
To believe that God has only revealed Himself in the Bible is a significant mistake. There is both a natural law, the law that God has already embedded in our hearts, and a positive divine law which God has revealed through people throughout all generations. If you read the bible you will see that it was not God's sole means to reveal Himself. His means was through people and those people eventually decided to contain written revelation in the bible but revelation through people has always been the key method God has used. God is revealed through nature as well.
As for interpretations of the bible I do think it's important to distinguish between protestant and Catholic interpretations. While it is true that protestant churches and people can all interpret scriptures as they chose, the Catholic Church has the magisterium and an unbroken history of consistent interpretation of scripture. The Magisterium is the sole authority to teach on scripture and it's teachings remain consistent since the time of Christ. Certainly not all Catholic people abide by the interpretations but that doesn't make the interpretations any less authoritative.
I think you will find with more study that you have a limited understanding of God that can be readily resolved with little effort. God is not a god of chaos or confusion, He makes Himself known but sometimes we'd prefer He be more like us. ;)
2007-10-11 10:46:38 · answer #1 · answered by maggiecme 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Do you think the human race was pre-programmed with the knowledge of God? I doubt it.
The primitive humans, presumably, did not have any God, but they feared rains, hailstorms etc.. Later on when they learnt farming, instead of fearing rain, they started worshiping it.
When there were forest fires, they feared it. But when hey learnt to roast meat in fire, they started worshiping it.
This is how the fear of the unknown originated and as man learnt to control these thing, the fear receded. Soon man learnt more and today there are very few people who don't know that fire is nothing but a chemical reaction that gives out heat.
Coming back to your question, "Free Will" is relevant and important because as we discover more truths, we try and cast away old superstitions.
I am not disputing the existence of God, neither endorsing it.
To answer your question: "Why does "free will" involve figuring out whether or not we believe God exists?"
We must have "Free Will" to challenge the existence of God so that the false fear of God does not prevent us from knowing the truth and so that wise men like Galileo are not murdered in the name of religion.
2007-10-11 11:53:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think free will has anything to do with God's existence. Everyone is free to travel down whatever road he or she chooses.
2007-10-11 13:27:44 · answer #3 · answered by Purdey EP 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only answer I can give is; that would make way too much sense!
Christianity, as I'm sure you've noticed, makes next to nothing in the sense department.
2007-10-11 10:44:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Free will is being able to make a choice even if it isn't a popular one. I am an Atheist. To me, there is too much science and PROOF that their is NO God.
2007-10-11 10:33:00 · answer #5 · answered by AsianPersuasion :) 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Its not just about the bible it is about a spiritual being, its about faith, its about what we have encountered with God personally,its about a personal relationship between someone and God.My question to you is what would it hurt to find this special relationship with God? What are you so scared of?What do you have to loose?Its not as confusing as some people make it,actually its as easy as having a relationship with your spouse, your mom your dad etc.Just cuz you can't see him does not mean you can't feel him, God is as real as you and me.
2007-10-11 10:39:15 · answer #6 · answered by simple serenity 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Exactly. If he's omnipotent, he can do all of that AND allow you to have free will. He can implant knowledge in your brain. He can prevent evil. God doesn't need to allow something else in order for you to have free will.
2007-10-11 10:34:53 · answer #7 · answered by Meat Bot 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Does God hate amputees? I have heard of him healing cancer, diabetes, broken bones, colds, pneumonia, and many other sicknesses...But why are there no cases of God healing an amputee?
2007-10-11 12:09:11 · answer #8 · answered by klover_dso 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess you just answered your own question. You'll not get the proof of the answer until you die. That's part of the "free will" if you will - it's there, and until you have a sure "testimony" of it, you can think what you want. So can I.
That's the beauty of free will - you don't have to think what I think, and I don't have to think what you think. And we're still all His children.
2007-10-11 10:38:48 · answer #9 · answered by Kelly T 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is God's promise you will find Him when you seek Him with all of your heart.
Free will is always in the limits God has set it. We can only complain if we do not like it.
2007-10-11 10:31:30 · answer #10 · answered by Isthatso 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋