Conspiracy Theory

[_Res Ipsa]

Here's a pretty good article I found on the Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy. http://youarenotsosmart.com/2010/09/11/ ... r-fallacy/ It discusses underestimation of coincidence. Shermer wrote a pretty good book on the subject, too: The Believing Brain.

[_LittleNipper]

I'm not sure what others believe; however, as a Born-again Christian --- I do believe that everything is working together for either evil or good. I do not see what others call a coincidence. Everything that happens occures for a reason. I might not understand that reason, but there are clearly reasons for everything that happens. That doesn't mean that I live in fear. In fact I actually find that such an understanding provides direction and absolutes. I would like to know how both Mormons and agnostics/atheists feel concerning the overal scheme of events. Are they arbitrary or are they driven?

What happened to free will?

Free will is not free. It comes at a price...

[_LittleNipper]

Any author can write his story to end exactly as he imagines it...

[_Bret Ripley]

Here's a pretty good article I found on the Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy. http://youarenotsosmart.com/2010/09/11/ ... r-fallacy/ It discusses underestimation of coincidence. Shermer wrote a pretty good book on the subject, too: The Believing Brain.

Yup, good stuff.

[_Quasimodo]

What happened to free will?

Free will is not free. It comes at a price...

You're lost in vagary! If free will comes at a price, it's not really free will, is it? If free will is truly really free will, God does not control all outcomes, does he?

You must see that your premise has no logic. If God controls all events, then there is no reason for religion to guide us on the correct path. Our choices for good or evil are predetermined. Time to let loose all inmates from jails and prisons. Their crimes were only God's will playing out. They had no choice and it was not really their fault.

If God does allow free will, then at least some occurrences are random. If some are random then any could be random. Only God would know which is which.

You might want to rethink all this.

[_moksha]

I've heard that the Universe is unfolding as it should and that we should be at peace with God and strive to be happy. Granted, I was not shielded by aluminum foil at that time, but if it is a conspiracy then it seems worthwhile.

[Guest]

[Free will is not free. It comes at a price...

You're lost in vagary! If free will comes at a price, it's not really free will, is it? If free will is truly really free will, God does not control all outcomes, does he?

You must see that your premise has no logic. If God controls all events, then there is no reason for religion to guide us on the correct path. Our choices for good or evil are predetermined. Time to let loose all inmates from jails and prisons. Their crimes were only God's will playing out. They had no choice and it was not really their fault.

If God does allow free will, then at least some occurrences are random. If some are random then any could be random. Only God would know which is which.

You might want to rethink all this.

Well, if FREEDOM comes at a price, it ain't Freedom ---- at least according to you. Go tell a Marine that and see how far you get. God knows all outcomes. So, HE already knows your destiny because HE knows every choice you and everyone else will make. He predestined by allowing the inevitable to run its course. He allowed sin to enter the world by creating Adam and Eve with free will.

[_Quasimodo]

Well, if FREEDOM comes at t price, it ain't Freedom ---- at least according to you. Go tell a Marine that and see how far you get. God knows all outcomes. So, HE already knows your destiny because HE knows every choice you and everyone else will make. He predestined by allowing the inevitable to run its course. He allowed sin to enter the world by creating Adam and Eve with free will.

Well, I assume that the marines are not fighting against God. I was talking about how God perceives free will (as were you, whether you know it or not). Your comment about marines sort of underscores my point.

Let me try this again. Your contention is that there are no coincidences (I think) because God holds all the cards and nothing happens by chance. So God is controlling all events.

If there is free will, then some events must be controlled by those exercising their free will and and not controlled by God.

These two statements are diametrically opposed. I don't think you can have both at the same time. Which one do you choose?

[_LittleNipper]

Well, if FREEDOM comes at t price, it ain't Freedom ---- at least according to you. Go tell a Marine that and see how far you get. God knows all outcomes. So, HE already knows your destiny because HE knows every choice you and everyone else will make. He predestined by allowing the inevitable to run its course. He allowed sin to enter the world by creating Adam and Eve with free will.

Well, I assume that the marines are not fighting against God. I was talking about how God perceives free will (as were you, whether you know it or not). Your comment about marines sort of underscores my point.

Let me try this again. Your contention is that there are no coincidences (I think) because God holds all the cards and nothing happens by chance. So God is controlling all events.

If there is free will, then some events must be controlled by those exercising their free will and and not controlled by God.

These two statements are diametrically opposed. I don't think you can have both at the same time. Which one do you choose?

Never assume. And just where do you get this notion of how God perceives free will? If your making it up as you go it is of NO value to anyone. There is God's will and there is His permissive will. God's will is for everyone to be saved; however, God's permissivive will is to allow people to make up their own minds. God on the other hand knows exactly the type of person you are and how exactly you will act and respond. This is something I do not know. I'm here as God's witness to you and I am allowing God to correspond with you through my personality and my understanding of scripture. In this way, God is dealing both with you and me. I am being made more like Christ and you are being lead to the point of deciding for or against God's free gift of salvation. However, we are both on opposite sides of the fence. Until you decide to trust God and allow God to be your Savior, you are an outsider. And yes, God will control events to bring about His absolute plan for the future, but He seems to do this using both those who love Him and those who hate Him. He applies each person's desires, personality, strengths, weaknesses, and position. The fact is God has used the devil himself simply by allowing the devil to do want he wants at a select moment in time.

[_Res Ipsa]

I've heard that the Universe is unfolding as it should and that we should be at peace with God and strive to be happy. Granted, I was not shielded by aluminum foil at that time, but if it is a conspiracy then it seems worthwhile.

Dear Moksha,

The tinfoil hat won't protect you unless you are properly grounded by attaching a chain of paperclips to the cuff of your pants. I'd post a diagram, but I think they're watching.

Best of luck.

Your friend,

Brad