If we all have ''free will'' why should there be a constant threat of 'punishment' if we choose ''not to believe''? Live our lives by an ethical code of behavior, common sense, and that's good, too.But, don't push it on others. Right?
Or if we 'choose to believe' and live moral lives, well, good for us. But, don't push it on the others. Right?
Free to choose? in god. Yes?
Free to choose? Not to believe in god. No?
If we have a set of rules, decided by logic, and ethics, and the law of the land, do we really need anything else?
If you break the law of the land. Jail
Breaking of moral or ethical law? Punishment by peers?
People should be able to make a 'rational decision' as to what they believe. Free will.?
Who says there is only ''one way to go'', IF we have free will?????
So, I don't understand all the hoopla, about, how we think, either for god, or against god, if you aren't free to choose, where does the free will, come in??????????
Does anyone else know how this works, this ''f
2007-11-25 10:28:28 · 15 answers · asked by evictus 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well, evidently I ran out of space.
so how does this free will work???
Any thoughts??????
2007-11-25 10:29:55 · update #1
Free will doesn't seem to work at all. After all, if god is all-powerful, then the only will that matters is his. If god exists, then there's no free will. But if free will exists -- ah, that's when the godsters start to squirm in their seats.
I think free will is an illusion -- a useful illusion, but an illusion nonetheless. And even if it's an illusion, that doesn't let us off the hook. Even if we are limited by our genes, our environment, our upbringing, our education, our fears and desires and a thousand other factors both known and unknown -- even in the face of all that, we are born with the capacity to know right from wrong and the responsibility that arises from that knowledge.
2007-11-25 10:36:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes we do have free will! All Hell is is final and utter separation from God. Those who choose hell would not enjoy the pleasures of heaven since those pleasures essentially flow from a right relationship with God.
There is a misconception that hell is a place of physical torment and torture. Rather, most Christians have understood these descriptions to capture symbolically that hell is final and utter separation from God's saving grace. Some Christians, like C. S. Lewis, take hell to be a real place where sinful people make themselves miserable. Similarly, thinking of heaven as a place of hedonistic pleasures is wrongheaded as well. The choice is ... Do you, or do you not want a relationship with your Creator?
2007-11-25 10:36:43 · answer #2 · answered by thundercatt9 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Free will" isn't the same thing as "no consequences."
An example for you: Exercise your right to free speech by bashing the president from the stage at your concert? Knock yourself out. But the consequence of that is that people who thought it was rude may not buy your music anymore. You can claim persecution, but it's actually just a consequence.
So, you're free not to believe in God. That may have consequences. And one of the consequences may be people hassling you about your choice. As for eternal consequences--well, it sounds like you've already heard that side of the argument. In any case, none of this conflicts with the notion of free will.
2007-11-25 10:39:32 · answer #3 · answered by BAMAMBA 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course, God has created us with free will. We need to also realize there are consequences for any of our actions.
Give someone a loaded gun in their mouths and tell them to run around with it. That is a decision, but don't expect a good outcome. Just thinking you deserve some good outcome despite your bad decisions.
2007-11-25 10:38:55 · answer #4 · answered by grnlow 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Free will is given to us to choose to make the right decision or not.
Example, You can choose to look both ways before crossing the street or not. What is the "punishment" if you don't look both ways?
NOTHING is pushed on anyone. Everyone is free to choose the direction they want to go.
Why is this such a difficult concept?
GOD bless
2007-11-25 10:38:52 · answer #5 · answered by Exodus 20:1-17 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The bible, in numerous places, states clearly that "god" did NOT give people "free will." This term was invented by fundies as a catch-all response as to why "god" allows certain things to happen, and why he does nothing about it. He was quite active in the bible with vengeance and retribution when people did not please him. But because "god" only exists in the bible, when nothing happens to someone who did not follow "god's" commands, the fundies say "Oh well, he had 'free will' ". It's pure bunk.
2007-11-25 10:35:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-09-30 04:01:38 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
god doesn't care whether people believe in him or not. Why would he? Do you care if the electrons in your body believe in you? Same difference. And it's not punishment. If you stick your hand in a fire, do you think the third degree burns you get is PUNISHMENT? It's just the natural result of your own behavior. If you corrupt your own soul by hurting people, then that was YOUR CHOICE. And adios, amigo. You've sealed your fate.
2007-11-25 10:48:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Luke ch.11 verse 23. The Lord says that anyone who is not for me is against me, anyone who does not help me gather is really scattering. We have His commands to follow, but He allows us the free will as you put it to make up our own hearts and minds. When we choose His way, then this pleases Him. How could it be pleasing to God if he made us follow Him.
2007-11-25 10:42:00 · answer #9 · answered by lightning14 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Christians' free will works in this manner ......
a. god give you free will to choose, you can choose to believe his existence, submit yourself to him and then suck his a** eternally after you died or you can choose not to believe his existence and then been burn by this omni-benevolent creature eternally.
b. you cannot choose other things because it is not within this god's permission.
2007-11-25 10:35:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋