Another question for religous people

[QUOTE="JoGoSo"][QUOTE="theone86"]

But not only does he knows what lies in wait, he put those things in wait, and he knows how we'll react, and he put everything in place that will cause us to react the way we will, so tell me again where free choice comes in WITHOUT sidestepping the question.

theone86

What doesn't god know? He's omniscient. And not only does he know what our decisions are going to be, but he put everything in place that led not only to us making those decisions but that led to us as well, so again, where is there room for free will?

With regard to forcing others to believe/obey God's laws, I obviously can't answer for everyone who believes in God. but the idea behind Christianity as I can best derive from Jesus' teachings about "spreading the good word" is to offer up the message and if the individual isn't receptive/willing, to then cease bothering them about it.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,- 1 Peter 3:15

I'm always very careful, personally, not to just randomly evangelize to people. Not only is it rude and presumptuous, but it's also kind of crazy. If someone is willing to engage in religious discussion, then so am I. Otherwise, I often stick to other, less divisive subjects.

Since the god of all the major religions is all powerful and all knowing, why doesn't that god force you to do what he wants you to do? Force you to obey his laws? Why does he give you a choice to disobey?

And if your answer is free will, then why do you try to force others to obey his laws when he doesn't?

sonicare

He doesn't force me, he asks of me and I try to live up to that.

le atheist face

Since the god of all the major religions is all powerful and all knowing, why doesn't that god force you to do what he wants you to do? Force you to obey his laws? Why does he give you a choice to disobey?

And if your answer is free will, then why do you try to force others to obey his laws when he doesn't?

sonicare

well god did enforce through prophets...

well god did enforce through prophets...

punkpunker

[QUOTE="whipassmt"]

[QUOTE="sonicare"]

Since the god of all the major religions is all powerful and all knowing, why doesn't that god force you to do what he wants you to do? Force you to obey his laws? Why does he give you a choice to disobey?

And if your answer is free will, then why do you try to force others to obey his laws when he doesn't?

sonicare

[QUOTE="sonicare"][QUOTE="whipassmt"] why do you assume that we try to force others to obey God's laws?

whipassmt

Did you receive special instruction in the art of sophistry?

[QUOTE="whipassmt"]

[QUOTE="sonicare"] Marriage laws, anti-abortion, birth control issues, sharia law, etc.theone86

Did you receive special instruction in the art of sophistry?

I don't not see anyone in the U.S. advocating laws that would compel religious behavior (for example mandating church attendance, Bible reading, prayer, etc.) or punishing specifically religious crimes (i.e. apostasy, breaking of dietary laws, eating meat during Fridays of Lent, etc.).

[QUOTE="JoGoSo"][QUOTE="InEMplease"]

InEMplease

I mean you fell into the trap.

Life is like a test. God wants to know who truly loves and follows Him and wants to be a good person, if God just made you follow his commands like a robot or told you to, then you would not really love God. You would only be doing good because you know He exists.

See it's about faith, and if God would force everyone to be a good person and follow the commands by openly speaking to people in a big, booming voice, then people would only follow them because they know He is watching, not because they are good people or love Him. They would not have faith.

Different people answer this differently - even those of like-minded faith. That stated, my answer is that I do not know. Yes, I am aware of all the responses and believe that there is a lot of truth to many of them. Even still I am not yet convinced by any of them.

Saint Augustine gave the argument of Free Will. Many others have taken approaches that emphasized fate. Personally, I see a lot of truth in many of the responses but have yet to truly systematize it all within my mind.

Some answer, or lack thereof, you might accuse me of. And rightly so.

However, I do not struggle with these questions. Why is this? As I am absolutely convinced that God is good, righteous, holy, and forever faithful, he will not do anything outside of this character. In other words, I trust that God, whatever reason he has, is righteous and good in all his choices.

And yes, I am very much aware that a lot of you will not like my answer (as if I ever give answers people like :P).

[QUOTE="InEMplease"]

[QUOTE="JoGoSo"]That wasn't a trap. No one is forcing anyone to convert .jesuschristmonk

I mean you fell into the trap.

This is my christian answer.

God gave us a choice out of love because it wouldn't be true love if He forced us to follow Him. If God simply wanted obedience then force would have been dandy and Adam and Eve would be alive still till this day. But that is not the loving relationship that the God of the bible desires. Which leads to the next point. A christian shouldn't force you to do anything. If they are trying to force you to follow God, then they are in the wrong. If I were to force you to follow the law, then you would simply be trying to earn your way to heaven. Which is quite impossible to with the God from the bible.