Free Will, a Rant

Posted on by masercot

Fate | Destiny, Predestination, Free Will | Britannica

God created free will so he wouldn’t get blamed for everything. It’s an attractive philosophy: Everything in the universe is subject to physical laws except us when we shoplift a candy bar or bite someone for laughing at our hat. You can’t have sin without free will and religion is built on the concept of sin and why it isn’t God’s fault. The discussion on free will came centuries after the creation of the Christian church. It’s like heating your home by setting fire to your couch and then having a discussion with the wife on the concepts of carbon monoxide and arson a week later. The scholars missed the most important aspect of free will: We don’t NEED free will but believing in it is ESSENTIAL.

The real question is, does God have free will? Well, the Greek gods didn’t, we know that. The Fates determined what would happen and the gods could do little to stop them. Don’t know who the fates are? Neither did I until I learned this simple rhyme:

There are three Fates if you include Clotho;

That’s all, ’cause too many fates spoil the brotho.

Clotho spins the thread of life,

but, it’s Atropos who has the knife.

Her restraint in cutting the thread is a requirement

If you want to live to retirement.

When it comes to all your life’s details, that thesis

belongs to Lachesis…

One might wonder if the Fates have free will. If they do, do you think they’d choose to work in the garment industry? So far, it seems we are destined to have a deterministic universe. No one seems to be above it… because if they were, they’d have to take all the blame for EVERYTHING that has, is and will be happening. No deity wants to take credit for everything bad that has ever happened because his or her popularity would PLUMMET and everyone knows that gods need the belief and love of the people to live; otherwise, they slowly perish like that garter snake I had that slowly perished…

But, if we all accept the fact that we have no free will, I can see a huge problem. Superior Court Judges | District of Columbia CourtsImagine fighting a parking ticket by claiming we live in a deterministic universe and you had no choice. Of course, the judge could find you guilty and then claim that she had no choice. Or, you could both blame your car, without which you’d never gotten the ticket. The legal system would be in shambles a week or two before it would’ve been in shambles anyway.

So, like when your boss walks out of his office with a smear of cream cheese mashed into his beard, no one really knows how to react to a deterministic universe. We can’t just stand around waiting for our lives to “happen”. My advice is to do whatever you planned on doing before finding out you had no choice BUT to plan what you are planning… unless your plan is to poison a reservoir or murder some nurses; then, I advise you to plan a little better. Free will is a pretty bleak concept; but, no free will is a punch to the gut. Frankly, I didn’t want to write this and be the bearer of bad news…

…but, what choice did I have?

31 thoughts on “Free Will, a Rant”

  3. Wow, C… way to get us all thinking this morning 👏👏👏👏👏

    “No deity wants to take credit for everything bad that has ever happened” Well, except for that time God apparently drowned the entire freaking WORLD but then ‘made it all right with us’ by promising he wouldn’t do it again…

    Religion is a real mind bender…

    Oh, and I LOVED this post!!! 💕

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  6. I knew there was something that’s not free — I used to think it was lunch until I spent a week in jail and never paid for a meal, including lunch (not that bread and water are munch of a lunch). Anyway, I had a cellmate named Will who’s still there. I hope he doesn’t find out that he’ll never be free — it might break Will’s will.

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  7. I appreciate your witty and humorous take on the concept of free will and its role in religion and the legal system. You’ve presented a unique perspective, and your playful exploration of a deterministic universe adds an interesting twist to the discussion. It’s evident that you’ve put thought into your post, and your engaging writing style makes it an enjoyable read. While your humor shines throughout, you might consider delving even deeper into the philosophical aspects of free will to provide a more comprehensive exploration of the topic. Overall, your post offers an entertaining and thought-provoking perspective on a complex subject. Keep up the good work!

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