why do christians continue to insist that we have "free will"?

Question

Have they never studied psychology, physics, biology, or philosophy?

I don't have "free will" my brain is a complex difference engine, i have a certain number of "inputs" it processes these inputs, then it makes a choice...I have cognitions which can alter the choice, but the cognitions are all functions of my biology, and my life so far...and since i couldn't choose where, how or when i was born, any subsequent choices are a function of my environment....get it?

the simple explaination is my "brain" controlls me, given advanced knowledge of my brain (hardware and software) and knowing the thoughts that are processed, you could tell what my descisions will be at any given juncture...ergo, nothing is really free, it's all caused by something either biological or psychological...(hardware or software)

my parents lives were a direct result of their biology and cognitions, and since they couldn't choose where, when, or how they were born either...their lives were caused as well...they didn't have free will any more than i do...

Budleit 2, lets say i was raised on an island, where killing others was acceptable, but eating turkey was punishable by death...my brain would recognise this law, and follow accordingly, to give myself the best possible outcome...i'm not saying you don't have choices, but your choices are all a function of your brain...if your brain gets damaged for example, are you then responsible for your choices?

my thoughts fall mostly within the realm of "soft-determinism"

we have choices, but all of our choices have causes...

Answer 1

Some of them have.

But they still feel they can recconcile an omnipotent, omniscient deity with "free will." Whatever helps them sleep at night, I guess.

Answer 2

Actually the Calvinists (there's still some around) believe in predestination: before God created the universe, he already determined man's fate and there was nothing that could be done to change it.

We just had a personality workshop where I work. There's one particular group which fits perfectly with conservative religious people (not just Christians). Loyalty and tradition are the key components of this particular type, and they don't tend to question those beliefs (they don't like it when others do, and they can't understand why someone doesn't believe the same things they do).

And I agree with you; from what I understand about some things I understand about the nature of time, psychology, etc., free will may be only an illusion.

Answer 3

Try using that defense in a criminal trial. If you murder some one say it was your brain that made you do it, you couldn't choose, you don't have free will, I just had to do it, not my fault.

I can just imagine the judges reaction.

Your first one with the turkey is wrong You would still know right from wrong or you would be nothing more than an animal. That is what sets humans and animals apart. a conscience.

The next part, If you have brain damage or maybe something like downs syndrome you are as a child and are not capable of making decisions on your own you are not responsible for your actions. Even children under a certain age are innocent in the eyes of God.

Answer 4

the story of Adam and Eve is the basis of the free will thing. It has nothing to do with apples and snakes, what it means is that when you know the difference between right and wrong, you are accountable for doing right.

I did a research paper some years ago on identical (monozygotic) twins who had been seperated at birth and raised in different families. Later, they were found to have incredible similarities, in lifestyle, the kinds of things they liked, the cars they drove, the women they married, the instruments they played, the brand of cigarettes they smoked, their political attitudes, etc.etc.etc. My fave story is about two women who were nicknamed "pussycat" in two different languages, because they purred when they were happy. Another one I liked was the two Brits who refused to vote because they did not feel sufficiently informed to cast a meaningful ballot.

There things point toward a genetic predisposition toward many things, and I believe that it is very, very real. but no matter what that predisposition is, we are all accountable to do right, we know right from wrong.

Answer 5

Let me ask you a question. Did you make the choice to post this question here on Y/A or were you compelled by some force beyond your control? Did you weigh factors in your mind and come to a decision or were you moved about like a puppet?

Just because different factors came to bear in how and why you made the decision to post doesn't negate the fact that at any time you could have decided not to post this question. You were free to do what you decided to do or not do right?

You could have decided to flip a coin and if it came up heads you would post and if it came up tails you wouldn't post. Sure you made the decision to flip a coin but your final action was based on the coin flip not your brain.

Answer 6

I accept that what you say forms a quite large part of our everyday lives. But it cannot explain intuition, that you know the phone is going to ring before it does, or that you child is in danger and all that sort of thing. No science can explain that, because it implies a way of knowing things that lies outside science itself.

If you meditate, you can take yourself outside of all these influences of emotional reactions and other interference in reaching a decision. You can switch your brain off to the point where you are nearly brain dead. In that state you can then communicate with the parts of you that are intangible, such as your Soul, or even Spirit.

You can also realise that the decision you want to make or feel you should make, ie those 'environmentally inspired factors' is not the best and choose to go against it.

This last is the Free Will in reality. If you choose not to do that then you are right. You have no truly Free Will and then I will weep for you.

Answer 7

That is the point precisely.
Without the gift of Free Will we would be robots.
One need not study all the above for all these things come natural from just being alive,or have a child you earn PHD.
You could choose nothing without Free Will.

Enjoy the Gift*

peace and love

Answer 8

Your question doesn't make a lot of sense. No, I haven't studied psychology, physics, or psilosophy, and I didn't do so well in biology, but what does that have to do with knowing that I can make decisions? I can decide for myself if I believe in God, Buddah, or nothing at all. I can decide if I am going to go rob a bank and kill the teller or go out and get a job. I can decide if I'm going to get up early or sleep in.

You make decisions everyday of your life, don't you? "Ham or Turkey", "Pants or shorts", "go to work or call out sick". That's free will. If you think you don't have it, I'd like to know what's controling you.

Answer 9

The main idea here is that your environment and your gene pool can influence a lot of the desitions that you make. However they only influence, they do not determine what you do. How many times have you had an urge and did not go with it?
If you study psychology and philosophy you will see that the idea of free will is well developed, and altohough some of your traits (genetic and acquired) might swing you one way or another it is always you who has the power to decide.

Answer 10

Because they have the ability to choose from doing good or evil:

"For before the boy will know enough to refuse evil and choose good, the land whose two kings you dread will be forsaken." Isaiah 7:16 (NASB).

"Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD." Proverbs 1:29 (NASB).

1 Chronicles 21:10-12 (God gave David a choice as to which punishment would be visited on Israel).

"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." James 4:4 (NIV).

Sin comes about by one's choice:

"When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." James 1:13-15 (NIV).

How can someone be tempted if they have no choice?

In addition, each person is subject to receiving eternal punishment for their own sin and not that of another. Ezekiel 18:20. So, "God "will give to each person according to what he has done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger." Romans 2:6-8 (NIV).

The only way to avoid eternal punishment for one's sins is to choose to follow Jesus. John 14:6; Acts 2:38; Revelation 20:15.

Add'l comment: It is interesting that people will give you a 'thumbs down' when the question asks what the Bible says and that is what you provide. Maybe your question should have been: How can Christians continue to believe the Bible in light of specific truths determined by psychology (there's one with a lot of absolute truths), physics, biology (are you referring to the theory of evolution?) or philosophy (I'm sure that everyone is in agreement on what that is)?

Answer 11

First of all.. you didn't even clarify what psychology, physics, biology, or philosophy has anything to do with your free will..

Secondly, isn't it obvious that Christians will insist on what the Bible says... which clearly you know that the Bible says we have free will. So wouldn't it make sense for them to back that statement up??

Your when, how and why of where you were born was obviously a direct result of your parents free will. Obviously they had a choice as well. Do you even know the definition of free will??

free will-
free and independent choice; voluntary decision: You took on the responsibility of your own free will.
2. Philosophy. the doctrine that the conduct of human beings expresses personal choice and is not determined by physical forces.
3. The ability or discretion to choose
4. The power of making free choices that are unconstrained by external circumstances or by an agency such as fate.

Geez