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Old 08-04-2005, 07:30 AM   #9 (permalink)
The Rev
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hedons
If God were known to exist, would moral choice end?

If we knew God existed and would punish us for evil acts, then good acts would be much less freely chosen. Is element of unknowability about God necessary as to allow us free will? In order to choose good over evil, we must feel free to do bad, and we would not feel this way if we had definite knowledge that God was present and recording our every action.

How much choice do you have to speed when you are in the lane next to a cop?

-Hedons
I think this point is illuminating about Man's relationship to his dieties. We talk about free will, however, if you don't do what God (or His divinely chosen Earthly representatives) say, you go to a fiery torture chamber for Eternity.



I personally think that any god that is entangled in morality is a human construct to exert power over other humans, and has little to do with any real higher being. Think about it. Would you chase bacteria around a petrie dish shaking your finger at them over their choices? You'd have better things to do, and so would God.



The Rev
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