www.ditl.org

See.............there's the reason right there

The oddest thing about free will is that it's academic. Whether free will exists or not, we all have to behave as if it does.

I had the free will argument with somebody once, and I asked him what he would do if it were proved that there was no such thing as free will. "I'd roba bank" he said "Because I'd know I was no longer responsible for my actions."

But... if there's no free will, then "I'd rob a bank" isn't a valid answer. If there's no free will then he'd do whatever he was predestined to do from the beginning of time.

You know why I think there is free will. Because we can think of such a concept. If there was no free will, we wouldn't even consider it an option.

I remember a discussion I once had when I was still in high school with one of my teachers (I went to a Christian school). I argued that Christ KNEW that Judas would betray him, and how. Therefore he had some knowledge of the future. So, that is what Judas was put on this planet to do. He was born to betray Christ, so that things would progress the way they needed to. So why was Judas condemned to Hell for fulfilling his purpose. My teacher kept insisting that he had free will, and didn't have to betray Christ. But if he didn't then things wouldn't have worked out the way they needed to to insure the salvation of man.

Here, I'll join you.

Thanks.......it's always nicer to with a friend, rather than by yourself

On that note, (personal belief) while he knew Judas would betray him, it was because of his previous actions and his heart condition. He was that type of person. He was not born to betray Christ (no more than I was born to be a college student). If he hadn't someone else would have; he just happened to be the one that did. So he had free will, he just used it poorly.

And yes, is better with friends.

So, was it a Catholic school or some other denomination?

haha, church school. haha

There's one real close to where I live, and b/c of my grades they offered me a full ride scholorship (ya the place is that preppy). I looked them righ in the face and said, "No" And haven't looked back since.

Unless you count the time we played them and I body checked a kid so hard he didn't know what hit him. As it was basketball, i didn't get to play the rest of the game, but that was still fun

I've heard good arguments that the role of Judas Iscariot in Jesus' death is overblown. The Romans (or more accurately, the Jewish high priests, who were really the ones who wanted Jesus dead while Pilate and the rest of the Romans didn't care much one way or another about what was to them a parochial local affair) already knew what Jesus was up to, and by then, Jesus' identity and likeness would hardly have been a secret after the way he entered the city of Jerusalem, his actions at the money exchangers, etc. This then would make the infamous kiss seem more symbolic than anything else.

stitch626 wrote:On that note, (personal belief) while he knew Judas would betray him, it was because of his previous actions and his heart condition. He was that type of person. He was not born to betray Christ (no more than I was born to be a college student). If he hadn't someone else would have; he just happened to be the one that did. So he had free will, he just used it poorly.

And yes, is better with friends.

So, was it a Catholic school or some other denomination?

Not Catholic.........just Christian. Was a bit odd though, as they encouraged the speaking of tounges. Honestly, while I respect every person's religion, listening to that freaked me out. Seriously.

I don't even know what 'speaking in toungs' is in this situation, is it hebrew or what?

Mark wrote:Not Catholic.........just Christian. Was a bit odd though, as they encouraged the speaking of tounges. Honestly, while I respect every person's religion, listening to that freaked me out. Seriously.

Hey, speaking in tongues is still easier to understand than the fundamentalists' takes on evolution, gay rights, etc.

That is weird, though.

Lt. Staplic wrote:I don't even know what 'speaking in toungs' is in this situation, is it hebrew or what?

I hope I don't offend anybody with this.

As I understand it, some believe that the power of God takes them, and they begin speaking the "angelic" language of heaven. Basically, it sounds like gibberish.

Mark wrote:

Lt. Staplic wrote:I don't even know what 'speaking in toungs' is in this situation, is it hebrew or what?

I hope I don't offend anybody with this...

I'm offended!





No, seriously, that's about the most accurate description for it. That, or "seizure-speak".