How can it really be considered free will, though? Okay, here's a scenario. There is a young boy, 5 years old, and his father says "Son, in 5 years time, I'll ask you if you love me. If you say you do not, I'll kill you by shoving you in an oven to burn to death. It will be long and painful. However if you do say you love me, then I will not kill you. I will ensure you live a happy, and pain-free as possible life. Your decision." Let's remember, this is a kid. Probably scared out of his mind, he'll of course say that he loves his dad, but only out of fear. Maybe he doesn't really love him, but he is scared about what will happen if he does not say he loves his dad. That's like god saying, "Repent or burn in hell." It's fear tactics...threatening someone, not really giving them much of a choice at all. Ruling by fear instead of love...
|