By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
timmah said:
Chrizum said:
timmah said:
dsgrue3 said:
timmah said:

If God can view time from a non-fixed perspective (the axiom in the argument I posed), this is simply not the case (just as a theoretical time traveler would not have to pre-determine a choice to witness it, thereby knowing it without pre-determining it). You simply refuse to consider that axiom. Again, I don't know how God works, I'm just posing a theoretical possibility based on one theological perspective.

And please, don't patronize my intelligence on this. Plenty of brilliant men have theorized a ton of different ideas on time as a dimension, spacetime, whether time is fixed in reality, or merely by our perspective of it, whether it flows, or if this is simply our way of interpreting it, whether all things in time exist simultaneously, or if there is one fixed point of existence in time that is absolute, whether time has an arrow, or if it is theoretically possible for travel through it, whether dimensions/realities can exist outside of time, whether time can be bent by gravity or speed, etc. etc. etc.

Once again, it does not matter how God views time. What matters is that all outcomes are known which is predetermination. What is so hard to grasp here? Time travel has nothing to do with God. 

There are things that are no longer speculation in terms of time - 1) You don't move backward. 2) Gravity does indeed bend time - relativity 3) It is absolutely possible to travel through it forward (we do it every day).

Now tell me if you can choose A or C. 

Time travel would be the best humanly understandable analogy to a God who is theoretically outside of time and views time from a non-fixed perspective. If you actually considered the time traveler analogy (which is a core part of the axiom I presented), what I'm saying makes sense.

Obviously, I could chose A or C, I just did not in this scenario. The fact that God observed the choice does not mean I did not make the choice. He didn't make me choose it, I chose it, he observed. The fact that this choice is in the past, present, or future would have no bearing to an observer with a non-fixed perspective of time in either the time traveler analogy, or the frozen river analogy of time.

My problem with your theory, even though it at least brings something new to the table, is that it entirely depends on supernatural powers like observing irrespective of time. If a computer could calculate what choices you make for the rest of your life based on an infinite set of variables, the future would be set and choice would be an illusion. If a time traveler could go to the future and observe all your choices, then it means you really cannot choose anything other than has been observed. You think you can choose whatever you want however it seems to be determined with 0% variation in both scenarios. What is the difference from those scenarios with your God theory?

 

I understand what you're saying (and I've had this same discussion with Christian friends on both sides of the debate). My position is that the free-will aspect of the choice in the mind of the individual cannot be fundamentally changed regardless of how or if it is observed, the electrical impulses that took place inside the mind ultimately resulting in the choice are the same regardless of if they are passively observed.

Oh definitely. I've had many discussions regarding free will (mostly in a non-religious context) and the fun thing is: in the end it doesn't even matter if it exists or not, because it doesn't change anything. Regardless, it's an interesting topic to discuss for sure. Not really sure why happydolphin needs to get all personal all of a sudden, but I want to thank you for proving religious people on the internet can be valuable debating partners.