Free Will

cd20 · Post by **cd20** » 09 Mar 2021, 10:47

Jasy95 wrote: ↑07 Mar 2021, 13:41 I don't think that God hiding would be necessary for free will! I think even if there was more concrete evidence for God's existence, such as proof that the world was created in a few days, humans would still be able to exercise free will. There are plenty of humans right now who dispute things that have scientifically been proven (such as climate change) and continue to act based on their own will rather than based om the evidence.

I agree that God doesn't have to hide in order for us to have free will. But where does that free will come from?

riyosha · Post by **riyosha** » 09 Mar 2021, 13:13

Heidadela wrote: ↑07 Mar 2021, 13:39 I think the reason why earth looks older is because of sin. On the subject of free will, I do agree that we are given the 'free will' to act accordingly. However, I do not think the mystery of God is connected to the free will at all. The reason why we have free will is because God is not a tyrant, as the serpent accused Him before being thrown out of heaven. He is a just God and the only way to expose the serpent is by allowing us to choose right from wrong. Love for God has to be the basis of all we do, not compulsion.

I agree with everything you said. If God exists, she is hidden to let us learn to correctly choose between right and wrong and become truly benevolent people.

Beatus · Post by **Beatus** » 09 Mar 2021, 16:24

When I read the Bible and get to a point where God has spoken, I don't try to wrap my mind around the details, especially those that I can translate and relate with what I know. For example; six days mean a period of time to me. Because I understand six days in Mars, may be six hours in Jupiter. Furthermore, if you are in space, you don't experience days and nights at all. And yes, just as whatever building you see is a result of someone's thought, so are the plants and oceans and mountains.

Lunupine · Post by **Lunupine** » 09 Mar 2021, 22:05

I agree. This point on free will I have noticed time to time while I was just scrolling around. One best points was the fact that we can be who we want to be. There are several things in the bible that God speaks out about yet we can still do this. Saying that we do not have free will does not example why we can go against the bible

63tty · Post by **63tty** » 10 Mar 2021, 01:30

cd20 wrote: ↑07 Mar 2021, 14:27
63tty wrote: ↑07 Mar 2021, 01:34 I somewhat agree, the author(s) has a point there even though I don't agree with the six days. That reasoning compels me to believe but still can't help but think of how advanced we have become, technology-wise. It could not have been done in a few thousand years. Mostly I do believe the true reason that God does not reveal himself is due to free will.
I do agree with six days, but I know not everyone does. I am thankful we do have free will, otherwise we would all think the same, act the same, be the same, and what a boring world that would be!

Yeah, it would be boring indeed. Not to mention the pressure to be perfect that would be there. Considering the pressure that is already there currently.

Francis Aderogbin · Post by **Francis Aderogbin** » 10 Mar 2021, 06:38

In my opinion, if free will means the ability to do as we wish without the fear of supervision by a supreme being, then God hid so we can do as we wish without compelling us. If he is to make himself seeing all the time, there might be this sense of compulsion in believing in him. So, I agreed with your opinion.

cd20 · Post by **cd20** » 10 Mar 2021, 14:35

lumenchristi wrote: ↑10 Mar 2021, 06:38 In my opinion, if free will means the ability to do as we wish without the fear of supervision by a supreme being, then God hid so we can do as we wish without compelling us. If he is to make himself seeing all the time, there might be this sense of compulsion in believing in him. So, I agreed with your opinion.

It's kind of like kids with their parents, right? As long as the parent is in the room the children behave, but once they leave the room they are more likely to misbehave. But, God by granting free will gave us the ability to chose to believe in Him or not. He chooses all of us, but not all of us choose Him.

rondanoh1 · Post by **rondanoh1** » 10 Mar 2021, 15:47

I don't think that God is hidden to give us free will. I think God is hidden because He wants us to use our free will to choose Him. Like Heidadela wrote, "God is not a tyrant". God is also only hidden if we don't seek him. Although we can't see him physically, we can see Him in the awesomeness of creation.

M Holden · Post by **M Holden** » 10 Mar 2021, 15:52

I am glad to have the opportunity to comment on the idea of Free will, it, well the whole book actually, felt like someone was actually saying what I sort of assumed in the back of my mind, but had never given voice to.

Years ago,I wrote a story about a man who decided that the only way to get what he wanted was to escape into a world where consequences were not immediate, otherwise knowing what someone would do was easily knowable. It was like our world where a bad guy could get away with doing a bad thing he intended granted he could go unnoticed...or had enough money.

It made perfect sense to me. Will only serves a free self, right? Well, when I asked for a second opinion, I was instantly berated and asked if my little story had any moral or purpose. I explained, "Yeah, making the idea of free will make sense!" to which I was ignored with the wave of a dismissing hand and the comment, " there is no such thing as free will. Will is many things, but Free is not one of them."

So, I actually loved reading this and seeing what I had to be careful to only refer to as agency referred to as free will! I felt justified.

But, what I really loved about this explanation was the part where the whole notion is dismissed as being dishonest. I had to think a lot about that.

Praise GodWord · Post by **Praise GodWord** » 11 Mar 2021, 05:54

God is not a dictator. He's not insecure. He gave man Free Will. I decide on who and which path I chose. Why God gave man free will is because He wants us to chose or reject Him willingly, without coercion.

Huini Hellen · Post by **Huini Hellen** » 11 Mar 2021, 14:36

I think that God reveals himself to us in eitger mysterious ways or in ways that we deem to obvious to think much about. However, if we search diligently for Him, whether free of will or not, I'm sure we'll find him.

Kelyn · Post by **Kelyn** » 11 Mar 2021, 15:30

Even if God were to reveal him/herself, I think we could continue to function with free will. Knowing (s)he is there isn't the same as acknowledging that all of creation, time, thought, etc. is totally driven by his/her will. I think it will largely depend on how the individual reacts when 'the big reveal' happens. There will be those who will freely and fully turn over the 'reins' of their life and those who choose to continue to be the 'captains of their own fate.'

cd20 · Post by **cd20** » 11 Mar 2021, 18:39

M Holden wrote: ↑10 Mar 2021, 15:52 I am glad to have the opportunity to comment on the idea of Free will, it, well the whole book actually, felt like someone was actually saying what I sort of assumed in the back of my mind, but had never given voice to.

Years ago,I wrote a story about a man who decided that the only way to get what he wanted was to escape into a world where consequences were not immediate, otherwise knowing what someone would do was easily knowable. It was like our world where a bad guy could get away with doing a bad thing he intended granted he could go unnoticed...or had enough money.

It made perfect sense to me. Will only serves a free self, right? Well, when I asked for a second opinion, I was instantly berated and asked if my little story had any moral or purpose. I explained, "Yeah, making the idea of free will make sense!" to which I was ignored with the wave of a dismissing hand and the comment, " there is no such thing as free will. Will is many things, but Free is not one of them."

So, I actually loved reading this and seeing what I had to be careful to only refer to as agency referred to as free will! I felt justified.

But, what I really loved about this explanation was the part where the whole notion is dismissed as being dishonest. I had to think a lot about that.

That is really interesting that people would think we didn't have free will! Obviously, we all do what we want to do, when we want to do it, how is that not free? That blows my mind.

cd20 · Post by **cd20** » 11 Mar 2021, 18:48

REIGNING20 wrote: ↑11 Mar 2021, 14:36 I think that God reveals himself to us in eitger mysterious ways or in ways that we deem to obvious to think much about. However, if we search diligently for Him, whether free of will or not, I'm sure we'll find him.

Yes, if we seek Him we will find Him. I believe He does give us free will. We can choose Him or not, we can do whatever we want when we want.

cd20 · Post by **cd20** » 12 Mar 2021, 14:49

Kelyn wrote: ↑11 Mar 2021, 15:30 Even if God were to reveal him/herself, I think we could continue to function with free will. Knowing (s)he is there isn't the same as acknowledging that all of creation, time, thought, etc. is totally driven by his/her will. I think it will largely depend on how the individual reacts when 'the big reveal' happens. There will be those who will freely and fully turn over the 'reins' of their life and those who choose to continue to be the 'captains of their own fate.'

I agree, I do not think that our free will would be taken away. I also agree with your statement, "There will be those who will freely and fully turn over the 'reins' of their life and those who choose to continue to be the 'captains of their own fate.'" I assume by the "big reveal" you mean the Divine Plan the authors are referring to?