I have a long running argument with almost all my friends, this centers around the concept of an all knowing God and free will. For the faint hearted, poor of spirit, easily offended, wrap-a-bomb-around-your-waist fanatics, and if you feel your faith is not strong enough please stop reading this now and go...well..do somethin else.Apparently God is all knowing, simply put,he knows each and everything from the beginning of time unto the end of all things and I guess beyond that too. But most importantly God knows all that you shall ever do, all the decisions you will make from the moment you take in your first breath till the time you exhale your last. Your path has been chosen for you. Basically God knows what you will say, think and do after reading this....blah blah. So this begs the question, if he knows everything you will do, all the choices you will make from birth to death and obviously you cannot go against that, how then is it free will if when faced with a decision as simple as taking tea or porridge your choice is predetermined?
I mean, as a more complex example, God knew that I would be the way I am and do all the things I have done and will do until my candle burns out. He knew, from the beginning of time that;
1981: Enter Raymond
1986: Baptise Raymond
1996: Raymond becomes atheist
****: Raymond Dies
-----: Raymond burns in hell
I cannot defy this path. It was written for me ages ago. So I must walk it. So is it fair to say that I have free will?
Incidentally I gave up my belief in the christian God, hence
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.
----William Ernest Henely
2 comments:
Hmmm....Fiona
i look at it this way. it's like watching a child walk towards a candle. yr choices are a)let her continue and hope that after being burnt, she has learnt not to play with fire (i.e. let her exercise her free will) b) holding on to her so that she doesnt go at all.(controlling her actions) u didnt decide whether or not she wd go but whether or not u wd intervene. free will is the oppurtunity to learn frm our mistakes and learn to make better choices
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