The debate about free will.

This is a topic that pops up regularly in discussions between christians and Satanists. Whereas many Satanists believe free will was Satan's gift to humanity, all christians will claim it was Jehova bestowing humanity with free will. Much of this debate revolves around the mythical story of the garden of Eden, where the Serpent tempted Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Christians claim this was an act of betrayal, the first attempt of Satan to deceive humanity and rebel against Jehovah. My personal view as a Satanist on this is that the Serpent actually showed us an act of kindness, by guiding us towards knowledge and discernment and that it was Jehovah who was the deceitful one.

Since Satanists often end up (often unwanted) in discussions with christians who invade their personal social media pages to spread their gospel, I feel it is good to have a bit of insight in their religion to counter their arguments. Being from a christian background myself, I know their book as well as they do, sometimes better. I find that during those discussions, it often shows that they actually have very little biblical knowledge, but often simply repeat what they have heard others say.

So, does Jehova offer free will or not? Let's explore.

First, let's look at the definition of free will:

"the power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate; the ability to act at one's own discretion."

Now, let's see what the bible has to say about free will. In order to do so, we first have to look at something called 'predestination'. This is a concept that shows up in the bible time and again.

Here is the definition of predestination:

"(as a doctrine in Christian theology) the divine foreordaining of all that will happen, especially with regard to the salvation of some and not others."

From this definition, it becomes clear right away that free will according to the biblical concept of predestination, is very limited. After all, how much free will does one have when one's fate has already been decided by Jehova?

Many christians try and deny that predestination is a biblical truth, but it really is. There are many, MANY bible verses regarding this topic. Let me throw a few at you:

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Romans 8: 29-30:

29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

John 6: 44:

44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

John 16:

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Acts 13:48

48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

Ephesians 1:11

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

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I could go on and on as there are many similar texts, but I think this selection makes it clear that the concept of predestination is a biblical doctrine. Scroll up to have another look at the definition of predestination. I think it now becomes clear that free will is not a biblical concept. Yes, we have free will in the sense that we can make our daily decisions. Do I buy milk or not? Will I commit a crime or not? Those are choices we can make. But the notion that we are FREE to choose our destiny -do we choose to serve the biblical god and be 'saved'- is NOT free. That is predestined by Jehova, as per his own book.

In other words: some of us are 'saved' because they were chosen, others are condemned because well, they simply were not chosen. So the accusation thrown at us by christians telling us we are all condemned unless we turn to their christ, is ridiculous based on their own scriptures. They themselves may be condemned, because they might just be on Jehova's naughty list.

So when christians tell us their god has a plan for their lives, they are actually right. He does have a plan and there is nothing they can do to influence or change it. Because their fate has been predestined; the plan cannot be altered.

However: Satan offers us an alternative path. The path of freedom of wisdom and knowledge. The path that leads to Him and were freedom can be found. Don't waste your time grovelling before a god that has already decided your faith, regardless of how much grovelling you do. Hold your head high and embrace the freedom Satan offers.