Atheists, how does omniscience conflict with free will?

Question

I've heard Christians claim that while God has knowledge of the future, he doesn't interfere. Does this argument successfully reconcile omniscience and free will?

Answer 1

This is actually an interesting problem.

Before I say anything about it, let me point out that I am an atheist.

The way most Christians resolve the conflict (non-interference) does not solve the problem. However, looking at it from a quantum-God view point, yes they are compatible.

Spacetime is a solid construct. Within spacetime, things move and change. However, from an external viewpoint, spacetime is static and determined, even the events caused by quantum randomness. In quantum philosophy, the first is called the frog-eye view (within) and the later is the bird-eye view (without).

Imagine it like this: You create a block of glass in 3D. Within, there are colored trails that extend from the bottom to the top without looping up or down, but wiggle side to side. This is a 2D Space (plane) extended through a 1D time (line). Each trail is a single entity going about its business. From its view point, free will is possible if its mind is not perfectly computational (ie: you give it a soul external to the block). However, from you, the creator's viewpoint, it is predetermined because you can look at the block and see how it ends up.

Omniscience does not conflict free will in a quantum universe. Free will and predeterminism are compatible, as ironic as it may sound.

Answer 2

I have a problem at the moment trying to reconcile your 3 main points!
'Omniscience' simply means one has the ability to know everything.
Free will is just a choice that individuals make between variable factors, I cant see how those two have anything in common at all, or even why they should ever be associated as opposites.
The final point is what has this got to do with atheists?
We don't believe in God, simple as that!
Some of us may believe that a little green man may appear one day from the planet Ugloomayo, this little green man may have the ability to know everything, that will not deprived us of our free will, and he will just be a feller from another planet, not God.
The point raised by Christians is an effort to 'pass the buck' they need to try to 'prove' that the Christian God is a loving God, if a disaster hits us the question is "Why did God allow this"?
A feasible answer to any one that wishes to believe , is that we brought this upon our selves, nothing to do with God, we have free will, we made our own choice.
Or the other off shoots of the old testament will tell us that God is vengeful, we have sinned and are being punished for our sins!

Answer 3

No, it doesn't.

If the "Master Plan" has already been made, then the choices people make are not really choices at all, regardless of whether God chooses to intervene with anything during the plan. We feeble people are just acting out what God has already dictated as our lives.

Therefore, God's omniscient Master Plan and the concept of free will cannot co-exist.

Answer 4

I don't see omniscience conflicting with free will, but it does make the situation rather pointless, and shows that god intended to have both men and Satan "fall".

Answer 5

No, and it just makes theist seem dim for following. If god did exist he would need a long stint on a flag pole.

Answer 6

well if you see! God had predestined humanity to death, because of sin! but it's when Jesus came to die and he's the mediator between God and us! so the only one who can changed our destiny is Jesus, with the help of the Holy spirit ! if you BELIEVE in Jesus, your destiny can change because Jesus is the only one who can interfere with God's will! since he is his son! THE KEY word : Believe John 3:16, Then Jesus will present you clean to God!