Theists: How can predetermined fate and free will coexist?

[robvalue]

Still no counters to my envelope scenario.

(I put an envelope in your pocket, containing a note that you will go through the red door, although you haven't seen it. I know this is true, because I have precognition. Can you choose to go through the blue door?)

God creating reality, knowing every detail of what will happen the instant he creates it, is akin to him writing a very complicated story. He writes every word. He writes every murder, rape, AIDS baby and hurricane. He could have changed any of those details so that something else happens at that precise time, since he has an infinite numbers of scenarios to choose from and he has no boundaries (so we're usually told).

In this story he decides to write, for some reason he thinks making some elements of it self aware is a good idea. Let some poor bastards endure all the rape, murder, hunger and tragedy. Sure, they get to enjoy some good times too. But that doesn't justify all the bad stuff he's choosing to write in. He knows the bad stuff will happen. He could have missed every and any single instance of it out. But he didn't. Sadist.

You contradict yourself with this position. If God predetermined our every thought and action, then there is no "self" that is aware.

Put another way - I think, therefore I am. If God has predetermined my every thought, then I don't think, and I am not.

Many people do state that God has predetermined every thought. You might not.

You can still be self aware, experience and think, and have the illusion of choice, even if you have no choice at all. Science is more and more indicating that choice is an illusion anyway, if anything.