I have often asked what the value of free will is from a theist when they use it as a defense for evil, but all I have ever gotten are appeals to emotion like "would you want to be a robot?" I for one would have no problem being a robot if it meant people wouldn't rape and kill each other.
As to the question of how they know we have free will, I rarely get a response, and most of the time when I do get a response, the claim is that free will is simply obvious. If that happens, I know then that the conversation with that individual is pointless.
The problem about determinism and Adam and Eve can easily be solved by saying that it was all god's will. God intended to let sin into the world, but then they are left trying to defend the reason behind that. I usually get something like "we can't know his motivation" or "I'm sure there was a good reason."
As to the question of how they know we have free will, I rarely get a response, and most of the time when I do get a response, the claim is that free will is simply obvious. If that happens, I know then that the conversation with that individual is pointless.
The problem about determinism and Adam and Eve can easily be solved by saying that it was all god's will. God intended to let sin into the world, but then they are left trying to defend the reason behind that. I usually get something like "we can't know his motivation" or "I'm sure there was a good reason."
Even if the open windows of science at first make us shiver after the cozy indoor warmth of traditional humanizing myths, in the end the fresh air brings vigor, and the great spaces have a splendor of their own - Bertrand Russell
