Ok, we are a little off track, but I think that free will certainly ties into the original discussion...
Phatboy writes:
If God exists, and If He created Hell and If He is responsible for creating Hell and Evil, He is STILL not responsible for your decisions
Well, hang on (See below for big laughs...) God also made me, and my nature, or spirit. So, he knows what sort of "evidence" I would need to overcome my doubts. If he doesn't provide that level of evidence, then who is to blame for me acting the way I was made?
Also, if God didn't want anyone to go to Hell, why did he make one? Surely a heaven for the righteous and simply death for the non-believers would have served as a carrot for people. Why the stick also?
Phatboy writes:
It would be as if I made a hangman's noose in the backyard for evil people and you chose not to listen to me and went and hung yourself. OR...you chose not to listen to me and I was the source of all good. Ultimately, you would be hanged by virtue of ignoring your source. (That's where your freewill will get you)
How about this, you could build an invisible noose that defies all logic and human experience. You could answer all requests for hard facts about the invisible noose by saying, "You just gotta have faith", or, "Who are you to begin to understand the mind of the eternal hangman..." And then, when my nature (Which you created, see above) refuses to allow me to avoid the invisible noose, I hang myself. And you, the most powerful, loving, caring being ever devised could wash your hands clean, saying that it was a choice of my own free will...
Citizzzen
This message has been edited by AdminPhat, 04-11-2005 12:38 PM
The message is ended, go in peace.