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| quote: | Originally posted by Moral Hazard
Indeed, my argument does hing on the assumption that we have free will. Interestingly, I've actually questioned on many occasions whether or not that is true or we just believe our will is free because we prefer to not think of ourselves as slaves. Ultimately, I cannot assert that this is absolutely true; however, I accept that it is as I cannot see any rational reason for an entity capable of creating the universe to create life therein if they are mearly appendages to himself.
As far as the omnis go, I've struggled. Ultimately, I believe that god must have the ability to be omniscient and omnipotent; however, he has elected to not intervien in the day to day affairs of man (which was once a source of a feeling I had toward god which bordered on hatred). This position does not negate omniscientance or omnipotentance as it is of god's choice not to exercise his omnipotentance thus rendering his non-omniscient. There is a difference between not exercising his abilities and not having them. With regard to the omnibenevolence, I've never accepted that as it pertains to the time we (all living things) spend in physical form, I believe that it is not until after this life that god's omnibenevolence is exercised. I will happily admit; however, that my position on this is really my own based on a number of theological traditions and philisophical positions reconsiled through my own (possibly flawed) reason.
I always enjoy your questions, Rob. Please forgive me if my explenations are clumsy today, I'm fighing the flu and not at the top of my game. |
You never have to apologize, Craig - and I think you actually provided a very thorough response. To be honest, I only asked because I had a hunch it'd be something you'd have thought about, and knowing that you're a theist who can probably articulate their position better than most others, I always like to hear what you have to say about these kinds of things.
In the end, all of our beliefs rely on assumptions (something I'm sure I've spouted off about on here before), so one can hardly fault any theist for nothing more than having their metaphysical beliefs based on some fundamental assumptions (anyone who tells you theirs doesn't is either lying or in denial). Your position is, I think, indicative of the traditional Christian response, or perhaps more specifically, a traditional Catholic response - just a bit more thought out. I think a lot of others would share your view (maybe without even really knowing it).
Either way, did you see the paper I posted on here a few weeks back? It has kind of a lot on free will in it - but it's fairly lengthy.
If you'd like it I'd be happy to pass it along. 
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