I know that we have the choice to follow whatever path we want, but is it really free will if we are influenced by the consequences at the end of each path? Wouldn't true free will be that we could do whatever we want (withing reason) and not have to face any consequences? I don't know, so I am asking all of you.
2007-12-16 06:28:03 · 24 answers · asked by Murphy's_Law 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm not talking about doing things like killing a stealing and then not having to face consequences.
I am reffering to small things that have no negative effect, such as going to church
2007-12-16 06:47:51 · update #1
If you believe in an omniscient god, then it is not conceivable that free will is possible. Though, most believers will argue that they do have free will. It is just as contradictory as most of the Bible.
I do not believe in God. So, it is possible for me to believe in free will.
2007-12-16 06:33:34 · answer #1 · answered by Trina™ 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Most of these answers are unhelpful. Saying no free will because there are consequences. That makes no sense whatsoever, even as the question leads one in the wrong direction.
What if I said, here, take my Ferrari and drive it as fast as you want around that corner, but realize that unless you drive at a reasonable rate, the car is probably better than you are a driver (LOL) and you will end up in the wall.
Thats just a warning of some consequences of some action. A simpler one, You can touch the burner on the stove but you will get burnt.
So, most everyone here complains because someone in the know has given beneficial advice, basically saying... 'here's the deal, here's what happens if you do this or do that... now you decide.'
You can tempt your fate by ignoring what he says, perhaps he's wrong, yet if indeed he is God, he's probably correct... but it's still your choice to make the decisions, even if you do not like the stated outcome.
Now go ahead and grasp that burner firmly if you feel like it.
2007-12-16 06:44:23 · answer #2 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only God is free to do as He pleases, but because He is good, righteous and holy, He would never do anything evil.
We are not free to do as we please without consequences, but we will "reap what we sow". This is a law God has laid down for us. We can't influence the weather, we can't plan our day, and make sure everything happens the way we planned it, because many unforeseen things can pop up.
But we have the freedom to make MORAL choices. We can be influenced by others, but in the end the decision lies with us. But even in this we "reap what we sow".
2007-12-16 06:47:12 · answer #3 · answered by Friend of Jesus 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We truly have free will.
You would think the end result would effect the choice - yet people still reject God even when they are told that.
Of course they say God does not exist, but God himself says that all men are without excuse: Creation and our conscience are 'proof' of Gods existence, and everyone will be held accountable. The plea of 'there was no evidence that you existed' will not wash!
2007-12-16 06:43:18 · answer #4 · answered by a Real Truthseeker 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have free will.
You are the living embodiment of every choice you have ever made.
You can make as much as you want,
You can achieve what ever you conceive and believe.
We live in a world that is governed by laws.
for example:
Jump off a building and you will fall - the law of gravity.
you dont jump because you know you will fall.( consequence)
but you are still free to jump.
Thats it, now what you are going to do with that info is up to you.
2007-12-16 06:36:33 · answer #5 · answered by onion 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That depends on whether or not you believe God to be omniscient. If God is omniscient he could not possibly have given man free-will. An omniscient God would know every thought and every action of all his creations long before they were created (from the beginning of time actually). This would mean HE created "will".
If God is NOT omniscient there is no logistical problem with free-will.
2007-12-16 06:52:14 · answer #6 · answered by Dog 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, I see only two possibilities.
1) Yes, I have free will and thus I am able not to believe in any gods.
2) No, however, god must really want me to be an atheist, because I do not believe in any gods.
2007-12-16 06:44:29 · answer #7 · answered by CC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Murphy....and how is that different then NOT following God or Jesus?
Let's say a person is allergic to bee stings but likes bees, so, becomes a beekeeper, takes no precaution against getting stung, get's stung, and dies from the reaction before anyone could get him help.
Should his widdow be upset that he died or be upset because her husband hadn't done what was required to protect himself from that end?
Think about that a bit. The answer is right before your eyes for understanding. :)
2007-12-16 06:50:04 · answer #8 · answered by ForeverSet 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, free will is not very free if we end up being damned for all eternity for following certain paths. But I don't believe in the Christian free will; I believe in total free will. We can do whatever we want and still be okay for all eternity.
2007-12-16 06:36:45 · answer #9 · answered by jill45690 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It's kind of silly what you are saying. God says not to have sex before marriage. Some because of their free will choose not to listen to this law and get a disease or an unwanted pregnancy. These are the consequences. What would you want God to do?
2007-12-16 06:35:21 · answer #10 · answered by ShineAsIlluminatorsInTheWorld 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
we should have consequences maybe that keeps most of us from say-killing someone,or robbing a bank.we need to be aware of what happens by our choices.
2007-12-16 06:39:59 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋