Does god have free will?

Wow! That's badly mistaken.Science is very different from religions. What scientists believe is based on evidence, not on faith. That's a huge difference.Your comment about "teachings of early scientists" is badly mistaken. Most of the teachings of early scientists have been superseded by newer science. And that's highlights the difference between science an religion. Science is skeptical, and willing to overturn the old when the evidence so indicates.

By the way, your attribution is wrong. You quoted that text from me, but attributed it to PaulK. I'll take the liberty of correcting that while quoting you. I don't know the origin of "religion" - i.e. the etymology of the word. I'm not sure why that would matter. Okay, you were looking for how we acquire our religions, not the etymology.I don't think I would agree with "taught". It seems to me that a religion is a set of traditions that one acquires from the culture. If a belief system comes from being taught, but is not part of the traditions of the culture, then it is a cult, not a religion. At least that appears to be the usage. I'm not convinced that anything has been imparted from God to us. It seems to me that it is always the other way around, an attribution of human views to God. Thus we see cases where those on both sides of a disagreement will claim that they are on the side of God. Regrettably, this is close to what often happens.I don't think it is a matter of people wanting to become gods. It seems to be an attempt for people to assume an aura of authority, so as to more easily persuade their fellow citizens to listen to them.