If I did not choose to exist how can I have a free will?

1. 71

   Darrell Robertsposted 9 years ago

   If I did not choose to exist how can I have a free will?
   
   How is there such a thing as free will if I did not choose to come into existence? I did not choose my parents, birth time, location of birth, my physical appearance etc.  Even all the choices that I think I make are all based on available resources and information at a given time.
   
   Even religion appears predestined, based on time, place and circumstance.  So could someone please explain what it means to have a free will.

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2. 78

   dashingscorpioposted 9 years ago

   Free will just means being able to say "yes" or "no" during the day.
   Whenever an opportunity comes up for you to do anything you have the power to choose. Having said that: Life is a (personal) journey.
   Not everyone is going to be presenting with the same opportunities!
   I suppose the ultimate free will is to choose whether or not to take our lives. Most of us (choose) to see what the new day will bring.

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3. 61

   Link10103posted 9 years ago

   Its the ability to choose your own path in life.
   
   What confuses me though is how you retain that ability if one is required to follow the tenets dictated by their god. Its not really freely choosing at that point since the alternative to following them it is eternal damnation.
   
   There's also the fact that if everything happens for a reason and god knows all...whaterever path that is being chosen was already predetermined, voiding free will.
   
   Lots of conflictions that most of faith don't bother with considering it requires them to use reason.

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   1. 78

      dashingscorpioposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Just because God knows what you're going to do doesn't make predetermined for you. He just knows which "choices" you're going to make.
      As the Christians love to point out you have the choice to follow God or go to hell. It's still a choice!

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   2. 71

      Darrell Robertsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      If God already knows what I will do, God is the all-powerful creator, God would have created the situation and already know the results of everything. to do.  This looks more like the illusion of free will.

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   3. 78

      dashingscorpioposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Have you observed someone driving in the lane next to you going really fast and you can see they'll hit the car ahead of them at that pace. You (know) they're going cut into your lane & they do. As the observer/God did you alter their free will?

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   4. 71

      Darrell Robertsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Dashing Scorpio,
      Thanks for the response.  No I cannot alter anyone's will. I have am not all powerful, "all knowing" and "all present".  My thoughts are All means All. If God is All-powerful, then the game is over. What God wants to happen will.

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   5. 78

      dashingscorpioposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Darrell, According to religious teachings God only gets involved if we (ask) him to. Otherwise he's more like an "observer" as described in the car analogy. I've been told we have to ask God for his help or guidance! Some people pray everyday.

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