by moman 16 Replies latest jw friends
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"O Lord, [pleads Jeremiah in the name of the people] I know that [the determination of] the way of a man is not in himself. It is not in man [even in a strong man and a man at his best] to direct his own steps." Jeremiah 10:23 Amp. (Ps. 37:23; Prov. 20:24)
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Borgfree
"You can fool some of the people all of the time" especially if you are a member of the WT GB
Hi all,
I think that it's a combination of what Seeker, Mindchild, and Larc stated. It seems environment can be overcome, along with genetics to a degree.
However, the deck is stacked against a child born in an abusive, poverty-stricken home with not much chance or encouragement for education. They could become very stunted mentally and emotionally, thus crippling their efforts in adulthood.
It's very complex and unfair to say that it's simple to overcome a lifelong pattern that the person did not choose.
Merry Xmas!
Pat
Larc,
Yes, I know this subject is far more complex than my simple answer. I was responding to the very limited question, for which I think there is a simple answer when you put the controlling parameters in that limited a manner. On the subject as a whole, there are many different answers that can be given, and in some respect there can be no definitive answer.
Hi !
I guess I have an answer to that but you have to answer mine first before I can let the cat out'a the bag .
Mine is " which came to the world first : The HEN or the egg ? "
Lincoln . O
Our decisions are not based upon heredity and enviornment, they are based upon what each individual WANTS to base it upon. Some choose to base it upon Heredity only, some choose to base it upon enviornment only, some choose to base on other people's heredity and/or other people's enviornment.
Ultimately, all decisions are based upon the persons spirit, and the person's spirit will decide what he will use to make his own decisions. Jeremiah said it does not belong to man to depend upon himself, to make his own right decisions. Those who heeded the counsel, rather then choosing their own way, they choose 'THE way' 'the truth' 'the life.' Those that know 'him' were set 'free'.
John 14:6
John 8:32,36
Every man makes his own decisions, some choose the right way , some choose the wrong. Each person will make his own decision based upon the way they WANT to base it upon.
Peace to you,
Aaron
The Biblical answer to the question is that we have some free will within the ultimate control of an almighty God. Pauls theological treatise in Romans is the basis for Calvinistic teachings, as is the book of Job which shows that Satan even has to ask permission to tempt us with evil or trials. All that happens is under the ultimate control of God yet his allowance gives all created being 'free will'.
JWs are taught a god that is more like the ancient Mithras cult, which has competing good/evil deities. That simply cannot happen within the realm of an almighty God.
Rex
mindchild, I liked your comments about the subconcious. I was watching a programme the other day about the mind. They were doing an experiment looking at brain activity and reaction times, and it turned out that part of the brain was peeking in activity milliseconds prior to the stimuli being presented which was supposed to cause the volunteer to react. It seemed that part of the brain "knew" when the stimuli was about to be shown, as if it was ahead in time. weird.
