A thing about religious (and other) people and the illusion of free will

[Harry Haller]

How is free will defined?  Does it have to be one or the other?  We may be conditioned to do certain things a certain way, but I don't think we are conditioned to do every thing a certain way.

I would tend to agree.  

Life is not 100% predetermined by past events and nature but they have a strong influence on the present.  Our genetic makeup, life experiences, and the World around us predispose us to act in certain ways.  However, as people capable of thought and rationalization we have the ability to change course if we can summon the focus, motivation, and self-control to force the change.  Predispositioned is not predetermined.  

We might be adrift in the sea.  We don't get to pick our boat or the weather conditions, but we are still the captain.  We can adjust the rigging to best harness the winds or guide the rudder to steer ourselves in a favorable direction.  We can also let go and let fate take us wherever it wants.  Our free will is proportional to our ability to control our minds.  

"He who has control over himself as control over the World" - Seneca