Does God have Free Will?

[Skwim]

It is not a matter of which God, and God is not subject to a popularity contest by fallible humans.

So what did you mean by "Yes in the OT, the anthropomorphic Gods were not significant Gods."?

A God that is the Creator of all of our physical existence, and not molded into one cultural anthropomorphic image such as in Christianity.

And just how where the characteristics of your god determined?

And how have you determined that Bahá'í teachings about god are true and that Christian teachings, for example, about god are not true?

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[Segev Moran]

Are there any rational grounds for firmly concluding that god, if god exists, has free will?

This question although seems simple, is a very complex one.
A will means lacking.
God doesn't lack anything, so how can it have a will?
If it has no will? why create humans?

You can describe it in a way like so:
Humans have a will out of necessity.
As for God.. no one really knows

 

[shunyadragon]

more like....the Force be with you.....?

No, may God's compassion and the universal spiritual attributes be with you.

 

[shunyadragon]

So what did you mean by "Yes in the OT, the anthropomorphic Gods were not significant Gods."?

So what?!?!!? God(s) was described in ancient anthropomorphi terms and concepts Gods, and no they were not significant gods, because in reality it was human view, and not God.

The God(s) described in the Bible represent a Neolithic to Iron Age tribal world view. We have gone beyond that with a more universal view of everything.

And just how where the characteristics of your god determined?

God determined the characteristics of God.

And how have you determined that Bahá'í teachings about god are true and that Christian teachings, for example, about god are not true?

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I believe in the Baha'i teachings concerning God, I do not believe in ancient mythical human view of God. Progressive Revelation has evolved the human knowledge of our physical existence and the nature of God. The Baha'i view of God is more universal amd lacks the cultural mythical Biblical Construct of God by humans of the time with a limited view of reality.

 

[Skwim]

So what did you mean by "Yes in the OT, the anthropomorphic Gods were not significant Gods."?

So what?!?!!? God(s) was described in ancient anthropomorphi terms and concepts Gods, and no they were not significant gods, because in reality it was human view, and not God.

???? Do you not realize how nonsensical this statement is? Evidently you're struggling with the English Language. I'm assuming you know what "significant" means, so how about rephrasing " they were not significant gods, because in reality it was human view, and not God" so as to make sense. I'll wait.

God determined the characteristics of God.

Fine, what are they, and how do you know?

I believe in the Baha'i teachings concerning God, I do not believe in ancient mythical human view of God. . . . .The Baha'i view of God is more universal amd lacks the cultural mythical Biblical Construct of God by humans of the time with a limited view of reality.

Excuse my ignorance, but where do these teachings come from? I assume they're writings of some kind. If so, why do you believe they're true rather than other religious writings?

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[shunyadragon]

Fine, what are they, and how do you know?

Ask God. I believe.

Excuse my ignorance, but where do these teachings come from? I assume they're writings of some kind. If so, why do you believe they're true rather than other religious writings?

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Your ignorance is not excusable, because you are arguing from an extreme biased perspective. I doubt very seriously that you made any independent effort to read nor understand the Baha'i Faith. You can simply read about the Baha'i Faith on your own and draw your own conclusions.

Simply the attributes of our physical existence, and the spiritual attributes of humanity that are the attributes of God we can know of God.

 

[siti]

where do these teachings come from? I assume they're writings of some kind. If so, why do you believe they're true rather than other religious writings?

Your ignorance is not excusable, because you are arguing from an extreme biased perspective. I doubt very seriously that you made any independent effort to read nor understand the Baha'i Faith. You can simply read about the Baha'i Faith on your own and draw your own conclusions.

I can't answer for @Skwim, but I have made a significant effort to read about the Baha'i faith (as a few of your fellow Baha'i RFers can confirm) - but I still can't see the answer to that question...why do you believe the writings of Baha'u'llah are a more accurate reflection of "God's message to humans" than say the Bible or the Qur'an? Whose words did Baha'u'llah record? His own or God's? And how exactly, is a 19th century Persian nobleman turned radical mystic a more reliable witness than, say, the writer of the Book of Revelation, the Prophet Muhammad or the Pope?

 

[Skwim]

Ask God. I believe.

Yeah, that's about what I expected as an answer. Wasn't hoping for it, but sort of expected it.

Your ignorance is not excusable, because you are arguing from an extreme biased perspective. I doubt very seriously that you made any independent effort to read nor understand the Baha'i Faith. You can simply read about the Baha'i Faith on your own and draw your own conclusions.

Asking a question is not presenting an argument. And evidently you're not capable of explaining your religion, or perhaps are apprehensive about defending, it which is fine. A lot of people aren't sure of themselves, so don't feel alone.

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[shunyadragon]

Yeah, that's about what I expected as an answer. Wasn't hoping for it, but sort of expected it.


Asking a question is not presenting an argument. And evidently you're not capable of explaining your religion, or perhaps are apprehensive about defending, it which is fine. A lot of people aren't sure of themselves, so don't feel alone.

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I do not spoon feed the intentionally ignorant, especially those with an extreme agenda, and NOT willing to do their own homework. Just like Fundamentalist Christians.

 

[Thief]

I do not spoon feed the intentionally ignorant, especially those with an extreme agenda, and willing to do their own homework. Just like Fundamentalist Christians.

ah......so you DO draw lines...

 

[shunyadragon]

I can't answer for @Skwim, but I have made a significant effort to read about the Baha'i faith (as a few of your fellow Baha'i RFers can confirm) - but I still can't see the answer to that question...why do you believe the writings of Baha'u'llah are a more accurate reflection of "God's message to humans" than say the Bible or the Qur'an? Whose words did Baha'u'llah record? His own or God's? And how exactly, is a 19th century Persian nobleman turned radical mystic a more reliable witness than, say, the writer of the Book of Revelation, the Prophet Muhammad or the Pope?

The bold above is the easiest to answer. Simply the Baha'i Reveleation acknowledges and is based on the universal. Many of the teachings and principles of the Baha'i Faith are simply totally absent totally absent in the more ancient religions.

The basic principles of the Baha'i Faith are a beginning.

From: Bahá'í Faith Principles

• The oneness of mankind.

• Universal peace upheld by a world government.

• Independent investigation of truth.

• The common foundation of all religions.

• The essential harmony of science and religion.

• Equality of men and women.

• Elimination of prejudice of all kinds.

• Universal compulsory education.

• A spiritual solution to the economic problem.

• A universal auxiliary language.

The older religions have a strong cultural tribal nature and the Baha'i Faith does not.

When dealing with the evolving changing nature of science, the more ancient religions like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are divided and have no specific scripture guidance to unify their view toward
science. The Baha'i Faith specifically acknowledges that the evolving nature of science is the guidance of understanding the nature of our physical existence. ALL scripture and the Baha'i writings must be understood and interpreted concerning the nature of our physical existence based on science.

The role of the Baha'i writings is to provide the guidance to the application of science for the benefit of humanity.

 

[shunyadragon]

ah......so you DO draw lines...

As to the nature of God no. God is God, and not subject to lines drawn by humans.

 

[shunyadragon]

ah......so you DO draw lines...

No, I will let the Christians draw lines with doctrine and dogma concerning the nature of God.

As to the nature of God no. God is God, and not subject to lines drawn by humans.

 

[Thief]

As to the nature of God no. God is God, and not subject to lines drawn by humans.

lines draw by humans ....is not the line drawn in this thread

Does God have freewill?

 

[shunyadragon]

lines draw by humans ....is not the line drawn in this thread.

You asked about lines drawn and I responded. This thread asks one to draw lines and no humans cannot define God in such a way.

Does God have freewill?

If you followed the thread I already answered that.

Hint: The 'potential of Free Will or not' is a human attribute.

I believe in the apophatic view of God, where God cannot be limited by the positive descriptions of 'What is God?' from the human perspective.

 

[Thief]

You asked about lines drawn and I responded.



If you followed the thread I already answered that.

Hint: The 'potential of Free Will or not' is a human attribute.

I believe in the apophatic view of God, where God cannot be limited by the positive descriptions of 'What is God?' from the human perspective.

you're not getting the question

does God have freewill will?

try one or the other......yes
or no

 

[shunyadragon]

you're not getting the question

does God have freewill will?

try one or the other......yes
or no

I got to the question.

Cannot say yes or no concerning God, because you are asking me to draw lines for God's nature.

Clarification: I believe God exists and may have a 'Will' but describing that from the human perspective as 'Free Will or not' to me is a contradiction as to the nature of God, which cannot be described from the human perspective.

 

[Truly Enlightened]

???? Do you not realize how nonsensical this statement is? Evidently you're struggling with the English Language. I'm assuming you know what "significant" means, so how about rephrasing " they were not significant gods, because in reality it was human view, and not God" so as to make sense. I'll wait.


Fine, what are they, and how do you know?


Excuse my ignorance, but where do these teachings come from? I assume they're writings of some kind. If so, why do you believe they're true rather than other religious writings?

.

I have done enough research to know that it is a waste of time, if you expect to get a straight answer from these guys. I let the historical and factual evidence speak for itself. Basically, they believe that all religions will eventually become one world religion, THEIRS. They also believe that a late human being(demigod) was a Messenger for a God. And, new Messengers are sent every few generations or so to keep up with the times. They are the masters of non-answers, double-talk, misdirection, deflection, avoidance, empty denials, and component and ambiguity fallacies. They know just enough to think that they are right, but not enough to know that they are wrong.

And from a Religious perspective. Pay particular attention to how the two Baha'i members defend their belief, which leads only to more ignorance and frustration.

 

[Skwim]

I have done enough research to know that it is a waste of time, if you expect to get a straight answer from these guys. I let the historical and factual evidence speak for itself. Basically, they believe that all religions will eventually become one world religion, THEIRS. They also believe that a late human being(demigod) was a Messenger for a God. And, new Messengers are sent every few generations or so to keep up with the times. They are the masters of non-answers, double-talk, misdirection, deflection, avoidance, empty denials, and component and ambiguity fallacies. They know just enough to think that they are right, but not enough to know that they are wrong.

And from a Religious perspective. Pay particular attention to how the two Baha'i members defend their belief, which leads only to more ignorance and frustration.

Interesting. Although I'm not up on all the religions of the world---far from it in fact---one of Bahá'í's members here apparently believes that I should at least be knowledgeable about his faith. So much so in fact that he takes my ignorance of Bahá'í as an insult and either refuses to tell me anything about it. Or, as I suspect, can't.

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[shunyadragon]

I have done enough research to know that it is a waste of time, if you expect to get a straight answer from these guys. I let the historical and factual evidence speak for itself. Basically, they believe that all religions will eventually become one world religion, THEIRS. They also believe that a late human being(demigod) was a Messenger for a God. And, new Messengers are sent every few generations or so to keep up with the times. They are the masters of non-answers, double-talk, misdirection, deflection, avoidance, empty denials, and component and ambiguity fallacies. They know just enough to think that they are right, but not enough to know that they are wrong.

And from a Religious perspective. Pay particular attention to how the two Baha'i members defend their belief, which leads only to more ignorance and frustration.

As usual your research is in the sewer. Your source is an Islamic website.

Oh thou truly enlightened One and only One!