Political Implications of "Free-Will"

[bbyrd009]

The problem with that, I think,
lies in assuming that one can be
immoral in a vacuum--that I can
masturbate without affecting others,
which is not true.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

The problem with that, I think,
lies in assuming that one can be
immoral in a vacuum--that I can
masturbate without affecting others,
which is not true.

How is that not true?

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

How is that not true?

Oh, the first scenario that comes to mind is that maybe now I feel guilty, which will be translated into my decisions and actions; or if I'm married, I'm denying my wife, in a sense. Beforehand, thinking about it, I would surely be less attentive to...Spirit. Etc. But these connections are not always clear. I purposefully chose what might be considered a most personal thing, and most others have more direct connections.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Your answer is still within the confines of "religion".

In a country that guarantees freedom of religion, there will be citizens who will choose to have no religion.

If one doesn't have a religion, how would their sin of the "m" word or even gluttony affect you?

[bbyrd009]

Ha I am not a religious person.
A glutton is a huge burden to those around them,
"religious" or not. Your religion might be considered
just a burden to others, also.
Christ did not come to found a new religion.

[deafdriscoll]

i just read your opening post friend and do not agree with your definition of freedom.
When you kill or steal you are denying someone elses freedom. How can you say we have free choice when you deny someone elses freedom?
Freedom has restrictions to protect everyones rights. I do not believe that the sin riden world is free, they are slaves to sin.
Just my view. Dennis

[deacon blues]

JD, is this how you're going to redact your statement that you cannot support BO because of his support of gay marriage? When you said months ago you could no longer support him I made note of it. I'm beginning to wonder if you're wishing you had not said that earlier.

As far as your essay, I agree in principle. But when it comes to redefining marriage, I don't see that as a religious issue. Marriage by and large has been defined as one man one woman by almost every society and culture throughout human history. To me the marriage issue is not religious. It's historical and cultural.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

JD, is this how you're going to redact your statement that you cannot support BO because of his support of gay marriage? When you said months ago you could no longer support him I made note of it. I'm beginning to wonder if you're wishing you had not said that earlier.

As far as your essay, I agree in principle. But when it comes to redefining marriage, I don't see that as a religious issue. Marriage by and large has been defined as one man one woman by almost every society and culture throughout human history. To me the marriage issue is not religious. It's historical and cultural.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by deafdriscoll

i just read your opening post friend and do not agree with your definition of freedom.
(1) When you kill or steal you are denying someone elses freedom. (2)How can you say we have free choice when you deny someone elses freedom?
(3)Freedom has restrictions to protect everyones rights. (4)I do not believe that the sin riden world is free, they are slaves to sin.
Just my view. Dennis

(1) We agree on that point. Still, if you were to steal from your neighbor, you would do so out of your own free will. Stealing is a freedom, but to exercise that freedom will affect your fellow citizen(s) negatively and so the American government establishes penalties for violating that law.

(2) We all have the ability to deny someone else's freedom. That doesn't mean that there won't be repercussions. Nevertheless, we have the free will to steal or not to steal.

(3) I disagree. Freedom has no restrictions. There are consequences to bad decisions, but there isn't restriction in freedom.

(4) I am discussing two types of freedom. There is the freedom that comes from Christ and there is the freedom that is guaranteed to all American citizens by the Constitution. Aren't Americans free to choose satan as their father-- to honor, worship and serve?

(5) Thanks for engaging in the dialogue.

[Jermyn Davidson]