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Originally Posted by Akashic_Librarian  We obviously cannot know. However those who claim to "know" of a will outside of our own require proof. If they cannot show proof then I cannot believe them. Simple.
If a man comes up to me in the street and insists that there is a flying dragon orbiting earth I would ask for proof, if he cannot give it to me, then I consider him crazy, I am sure you would too, so tell me how is the belief in God any different? A lie, just because it is believed by many, does not make it any more than a popular lie. |
One can "know" experientially for one's self. But people very often make the mistake of taking their personal revelation and cramming it down the unwilling throats of others. The need to tell others about your personal beliefs appears irresistible. God has no grandchildren; yet we have trouble "getting" that concept.
If I believe in a "will outside my own" then I have somehow or other met my internal standard of proof. It is impertinent to expect you or anyone else to accept that revelation without the inner proof I have. Therefore it's fairly pointless to cite that will to others in justifying my actions. To others, I think we have to accept responsibility and say "this is my will" even if internally we are saying to whatever we conceive to be god, "my will is one with yours".
--Bob