Free will from a Wiccan's perspective

[Fluffy]

Out of the Wiccans on these forums, how many believe in free will and how many believe it is an illusion? I am under the impression that it is generally accepted that free will exists amongst the Wiccan community, however, it is difficult to find much about it since it is not as hotly debated as it is, say, in Christianity.

Does anybody know whether my preconception is wrong or not? I am fairly certain about it but would appreciate any input either confirming it or showing something different.

Blessed Be
Fluffy

 

[Unedited]

I seem to hold the same preconception as you. I personally believe that we have free will. I couldn't speak for others, but I would think that most Wiccans would agree.

 

[Fluffy]

Okay cool, just checking . That fits with what I have heard pretty much.

 

[WCynden56]

I believe that we have free will, and also sometimes that we are presented with major decisions that we must make. So I guess I agree with you Fluffy.

 

[Koji Nokemono]

I believe Humans whole heartedly have free will... although I have read that, pertaining to Christianity, in the book A Purpose Driven Life, that everything is God's will and that everything is predetermined for you, that really you have no will, nor can you even make choices for yourself since they'd already be made.

Anyway, I personally believe that every person has every single choice... it is their choice to make a choice or not... some think in some situations they have no choice, but then again some aren't very imaginative either

Especially under the Wiccan religion, the Law of Threefold and the Wiccan Rede, how can you say you don't have free will, when clearly anything to recieve or give is of yourself? That is to say, you take responsibility for your own actions, because of the choices you make.


But than again this is only my view....

 

[Fluffy]

Tell me, would you rather be an active participant in reality, warts and all, or do you prefer to be an innocent bystander in life?

I definitely like the idea of free will. However, the evidence is stacking up against it plus it is not a logical concept. Therefore I have been forced to adapt my system over the last couple of years and it is a lot better than I thought it would be. It can be very freeing of negative emotions and concepts such as revenge, fault etc. and yet the illusion of free will allows you to keep all of the positive ones.

 

[Pardus]

Your will is as free as you want it to be.

 

[thorysus]

I definatly think everyone has free will. To what extent they practise or acknowldege it is up to the individule.
Oh yeah i am definatly a participant of life, warts and all!

 

[WeAreAllOne]

I belive we have free will as well but I also think we are guided to make the choices that serve us the best. Things like gut feelings and premonistions (sp.) are there to help guide us. But what if these turn into panic attacks to the point you almost have to do something? does that infringe upon our free will? or does that just serve as a extra kick in the rear? Sorry to answer a question with a question but I just want to get your takes on this

 

[michel]

I belive we have free will as well but I also think we are guided to make the choices that serve us the best. Things like gut feelings and premonistions (sp.) are there to help guide us. But what if these turn into panic attacks to the point you almost have to do something? does that infringe upon our free will? or does that just serve as a extra kick in the rear? Sorry to answer a question with a question but I just want to get your takes on this

I don't understand the difference between a wiccan's ability to have free will, compared to anyone else's. However, as a Christian who has ties with wicca, I would assert that my choosing to believe in things that a Christian 'ought not to' is a proof of my free will.

 

[WeAreAllOne]

I would assert that my choosing to believe in things that a Christian 'ought not to' is a proof of my free will.

Well that is a good point..

 

[turk179]

I believe that we are all responsible for our actions and decisions. I also believe in the threefold law. In this line of thinking I believe that if we did not have free will then those things would not exist because anything that we did would not be our fault.

 

[Mike182]

my foots in the "we have free will" camp :bounce

if i start to think i don't have free will, i start to wonder if it was pre-destined that i would think that, but then i think that if im pre-destined to eat some cake, but i don't eat cake, it was pre-destined that i would not eat cake, so i am doing what i am meant to do? then i ask myself that if it is all pre-ordained, then how do i know what to do? do i jsut do what i think i am deciding to do and assume its what im meant to do? then i get back to asking myself "but what if i did eat the cake?" - and then after searching the house for cake, my head starts to hurt:biglaugh:

 

[turk179]

my foots in the "we have free will" camp :bounce

if i start to think i don't have free will, i start to wonder if it was pre-destined that i would think that, but then i think that if im pre-destined to eat some cake, but i don't eat cake, it was pre-destined that i would not eat cake, so i am doing what i am meant to do? then i ask myself that if it is all pre-ordained, then how do i know what to do? do i jsut do what i think i am deciding to do and assume its what im meant to do? then i get back to asking myself "but what if i did eat the cake?" - and then after searching the house for cake, my head starts to hurt:biglaugh:

Great! Now I want some cake.......or do I?

 

[Fluffy]

if i start to think i don't have free will, i start to wonder if it was pre-destined that i would think that, but then i think that if im pre-destined to eat some cake, but i don't eat cake, it was pre-destined that i would not eat cake, so i am doing what i am meant to do? then i ask myself that if it is all pre-ordained, then how do i know what to do? do i jsut do what i think i am deciding to do and assume its what im meant to do? then i get back to asking myself "but what if i did eat the cake?" - and then after searching the house for cake, my head starts to hurt:biglaugh:

Ahhh the famous cake question... it has puzzled philosophers for hundreds of years!!!

Hehe looks like this is one area where I am divided with the Wiccan community .

 

[Storm Moon]

I definitely think we have free will also. Why else wouldn't we? We have to make choices, no matter how difficult they can be. That's what life is all about IMO.