Why Should I Believe in God?

Sternwallow wrote

I do not say what you should believe. Whatever gets you through the night sweats is fine.

When we discuss a topic, it is more effective to state points in direct terms; "For these reasons free will is an illusion", for example than to always include the wordy disclaimer as in "of course we all are free to believe whatever we wish about this topic, but on a formal or logical or scientific basis, free will is an illusion if certain conditions are true".

I think the issue then becomes, which conditions are true vs which conditions are scientifically provable.

If we do not have free will, then. . . . are you saying that all our decisions are based on chemical reactions in the brain etc. ?

[Choobus]

We can probably never prove (or disprove) that we have free will, especially if we don't.

Choobus wrote

We can probably never prove (or disprove) that we have free will, especially if we don't.

Well, . . . let's say that you don't have free will, then some condition must exist that has placed perameters on our ability to make independent decisions. Can we speculate as to what that condition might be?

[dogpet]

happywarrior wrote

Well, . . . let's say that you don't have free will, then some condition must exist that has placed perameters on our ability to make independent decisions. Can we speculate as to what that condition might be?

Well, let's say the parameters are dynamically assigned first.

[Choobus]

happywarrior wrote

Well, . . . let's say that you don't have free will, then some condition must exist that has placed perameters on our ability to make independent decisions. Can we speculate as to what that condition might be?

No.

[Mog]

happywarrior wrote

Well, . . . let's say that you don't have free will, then some condition must exist that has placed perameters on our ability to make independent decisions. Can we speculate as to what that condition might be?

Only if its our destiny to speculate.

dogpet wrote

Well, let's say the parameters are dynamically assigned first.

By what means?

[dogpet]

happywarrior wrote

By what means?

By circumstance.

[Gnosital]

happywarrior wrote

I think the issue then becomes, which conditions are true vs which conditions are scientifically provable.

If we do not have free will, then. . . . are you saying that all our decisions are based on chemical reactions in the brain etc. ?

Can you engage in a behavior of which your brain is not capable? If so, please submit yourself to the nearest fMRI for further study, and you may be able to "prove" the existence of free will.

happywarrior wrote

Well, . . . let's say that you don't have free will, then some condition must exist that has placed perameters on our ability to make independent decisions. Can we speculate as to what that condition might be?

The layout of neurons in the brain based on previous experiences in life and the fact that electricity always follows the path of least resistance.

[Sternwallow]

happywarrior wrote

I think the issue then becomes, which conditions are true vs which conditions are scientifically provable.

If we do not have free will, then. . . . are you saying that all our decisions are based on chemical reactions in the brain etc. ?

Where else? How else? Love is an electro-chemical phenomenon as is fear, for example.

It is easy to demonstrate major effects of chemicals on the way we think and imagine and behave. We use general anesthetic to curtail thought and sense altogether as a practical application of chemical effects in the brain. Wanna hang out with God? A selection of potions will let you do just that.

[Sternwallow]

Choobus wrote

We can probably never prove (or disprove) that we have free will, especially if we don't.

We will still have to try to prove that we have free will precisely because we don't.

We don't have free will, 'coz everytime I use it, I end up paying through the nose...

[Sternwallow]

josephpalazzo wrote

We don't have free will, 'coz everytime I use it, I end up paying through the nose...

Precisely. And, regarding our free will to commit a sin, the only way to demonstrate that we have this free will and are not just robots (God is supposed to hate robots, so, take that, Sony) is to commit a sin.

The more free will you have, the more you must sin to show it.

Hey, I'm willing to sin... as long as it's not heavy on my wallet...