The two readings seem to have some similarities but also some differences. Both of the world views assigned to us to read argue in favor of determinism. Determinism means that we have no control over our actions and every thing that happens in the universe is part of a plan or was already determined to occur. In Christianity, it is a very common belief that “everything is a part of a Divine Plan” or that “everything happens for a reason.” Though this is not stated explicitly in the text, most christians would argue in favor of this. Hawking concedes that his view of Determinism would work even if god set the universe into being. “These laws may have been ordained by God. But it seems that He (or She) does not intervene in the universe to break the laws.” However Hawking ultimately believes that ever human action and every occurrence within the universe could be attributed to the fact that the laws of science exist. Now when it comes to morality and the purpose of life, the two readings differ greatly. The parables of Jesus state that the purpose of life and all of one’s actions should be done in such a manner that they please God. This is done by either fulfilling one’s abilities to their maximum so that they do God’s bidding to the fullest. “Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into they joy of thy lord,” says God when one of the men doubles the amount of money they were given. Or life is done by begging for God’s forgiveness and pledging to serve Him. “They brother was dead, and is alive again: and was lost, and is found,” says the father when his son asks for his forgiveness. However, Hawking’s view seems to be that we should view morality in the same we have been doing: we should try to make the world, here and now a better place. “One cannot base one’s conduct on the idea that everything is determined, because one does not know what has been determined. Instead, one has to adopt the effective theory that one has free will and that one is responsible for ones’s actions.”
as a catholic, i was always taught that God has given us free will, yet he has a path determined for us. I always had a hard time trying to understand what this meant. Did God want us to pave our own path or follow one he has paved for us? After reading your post, I feel like i can finally answer my own question. God did give us free will, and the ability to choose for ourselves, but he also gave us a "game plan" on what he felt was the best for us. Now we can either to choose this life that God has planned for us, or we can choose to do what we believe is best for us. Although more often than not what God has in hopes for us is what we choose, there are those who stray from the unofficial plan. Hawking states that men can in fact be the masters of their own fate, but there's no way of telling whether we are following a pre-determined plan or not. God will always have the best intentions for us. Unfortunately there are factors in out lies that we cannot control. For example, abortion. our God is not a militant God, he promised that the great flood would be the last time he intentionally hurt his people. He wouldn't have a murder in a life plan. He wants the best for all of us, but the gift of free will some times derails that plan. While there is always a plan, it is up to us to decided what we want to do with our lives. The plan is just there as a guid lines, or an option for those who truly want to follow their Lord to the end.
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