If a computer could predict your decisions...

[cloudyday2]

You have to look at the big picture of your brain. The simple answer for Christianity might be some kind of hardcore Calvinism. But if your science fiction scenario actually came true, you'd have much bigger fish to fry. Choice is so integral to being human that if it were shown that we were complete slaves to physics, it would undo what it means to be human. Reason, science, art, morality and criminal justice, romance; everything goes out the window. The situation would absurd because it would be unreasonable; no thought in the mind (including the thought of determinism) can be said to be based on reason if no other thought were possible.

As a practical matter, I think people would adjust, and life would continue as normal. We would continue to punish people if it can be demonstrated that punishment deters crime. People would continue to enjoy friendship, marriage, art, good cooking, etc.

 

[cloudyday2]

(1) If you think about it, science hopes that the universe can be simulated. Science tries to develop the mathematical rules that would allow this simulation to work.

(2) Success of the simulation implies the inactivity and irrelevance of anything transcendent such as God.

(3) The success of science is the basis for the success of this simulation. As science succeeds again and again, the likelihood of God shrinks ever smaller.

(4) Collections of unpredictable outcomes at the quantum mechanical level are expected to form densities that converge to the probability waves. This limits the possible activity of God even at the particle level.

 

[AV1611VET]

(1) If you think about it, science hopes that the universe can be simulated. Science tries to develop the mathematical rules that would allow this simulation to work.

(2) Success of the simulation implies the inactivity and irrelevance of anything transcendent such as God.

(3) The success of science is the basis for the success of this simulation. As science succeeds again and again, the likelihood of God shrinks ever smaller.

(4) Collections of unpredictable outcomes at the quantum mechanical level are expected to form densities that converge to the probability waves. This limits the possible activity of God even at the particle level.

Anti-God science at its best.

 

[HitchSlap]

Anti-God science at its best.

Or worst?

 

[Chesterton]

(1) If you think about it, science hopes that the universe can be simulated. Science tries to develop the mathematical rules that would allow this simulation to work.

(2) Success of the simulation implies the inactivity and irrelevance of anything transcendent such as God.

(3) The success of science is the basis for the success of this simulation. As science succeeds again and again, the likelihood of God shrinks ever smaller.

(4) Collections of unpredictable outcomes at the quantum mechanical level are expected to form densities that converge to the probability waves. This limits the possible activity of God even at the particle level.

I simply disagree with pretty much everything you've said above, and I think the majority of scientists would also.

 

[cloudyday2]

I simply disagree with pretty much everything you've said above, and I think the majority of scientists would also.

That's o.k. I asked my cat what he thought, and he said that he is in total agreement with me on the matter.

 

[bling]

I've always felt that God should leave clues to His existence. If everything can be explained without God, then what does that imply? Ideally, Christians should be able to use their beliefs about God's personality and capabilities to predict something measurable. If the computer gurus always outperform Christians, then we much discard Christianity.

EDIT: Actually, we humans are not computers, so it is really a question of Christianity versus other religions and non-religions. What beliefs lead to the best performance. It doesn't matter if the beliefs are true.

First off: most everyday human thoughts could be predicted with enough computer capacity and free will is not needed or required, but there are those times in every mature adults life in which he brought to his senses and has the choice to humbly seek and accept God’s help (charity) or fight on (mostly out of pride).

You say here: “I've always felt that God should leave clues to His existence.”, but that would mean the unbeliever would not need “faith” in the existence of God but would have scientific “knowledge” of the existence of God. The reliance on “faith” is a humbling experience (even the lowliest person on earth can extend faith) and humility is what we need to humbly accept God’s pure charity.

If through personal effort you did obtain knowledge of God’s existence would that make you even more reliant on your personal ability to do other stuff?

 

[cloudyday2]

First off: most everyday human thoughts could be predicted with enough computer capacity and free will is not needed or required, but there are those times in every mature adults life in which he brought to his senses and has the choice to humbly seek and accept God’s help (charity) or fight on (mostly out of pride).

You say here: “I've always felt that God should leave clues to His existence.”, but that would mean the unbeliever would not need “faith” in the existence of God but would have scientific “knowledge” of the existence of God. The reliance on “faith” is a humbling experience (even the lowliest person on earth can extend faith) and humility is what we need to humbly accept God’s pure charity.

If through personal effort you did obtain knowledge of God’s existence would that make you even more reliant on your personal ability to do other stuff?

Putting on my Christian hat for a moment, that doesn't seem like a very good argument to me. The humility sought by God is submission to His will. We must realize that our own will is evil instead of good, so that we can ask for mercy from Jesus.

I don't think God expects us to believe in Christianity without a shred of evidence. Why should we believe in Christianity instead of some other religion? There are lots of religions that make wild claims that we might believe with blind faith.

Also, I don't mean to criticize you personally. What you said has been said by Christians for a long time. Lots of people agree with you.

 

[bling]

Putting on my Christian hat for a moment, that doesn't seem like a very good argument to me. The humility sought by God is submission to His will. We must realize that our own will is evil instead of good, so that we can ask for mercy from Jesus.

You cannot “submit” to God’s commands without first being gifted with Godly type love. The gift of Godly type Love comes automatically with the acceptance of God’s charity in the form of forgiveness so

As we are taught: “…He that is forgiven much Loves much…”

Our “own” will is naturally selfish, but that is not “evil” per say since we can use it to be drawn to Christ.

I don't think God expects us to believe in Christianity without a shred of evidence. Why should we believe in Christianity instead of some other religion? There are lots of religions that make wild claims that we might believe with blind faith.

It is not “Christianity” you are being asked to believe in, but Christ Himself. You need to see/experience Christ living through and in a true Christians and want that Love Christ has shown through them.

The true believer (willing to live a life of totally unselfish helping of others) can help you better than any other religion. You should see what it has done for the true believer or others the true believer has helped.

Also, I don't mean to criticize you personally. What you said has been said by Christians for a long time. Lots of people agree with you.

I am just trying to teach what the Bible and the indwelling Holy Spirit has taught me.

 

[Sketcher]

Computing power continues to increase exponentially. Imagine if your behavior could be recorded over the course of a normal day. Then at the end of the day the computer gurus could show you that a computer predicted your every thought, word, and deed over that day - along with every other human and animal that interacted with you either directly or indirectly.

In other words, the computer gurus could demonstrate to you that you did not exercise free will that day - even though it felt like free will to you. You could sensibly assume that you never exercise free will. If you had doubts, the experiment could be repeated day after day until you were finally convinced.

Prediction does not equal control.

Would Christianity be dead without free will?

Being as Calvinism basically denies free will and it has been around for hundreds of years, no.