Do you believe in predestination?

[Deja Q]

?

[TimeChaser]

1. I think

That there's a way things are likely to happen, but that the future's never set in stone.

[stellanoir]

2. Can I believe that there are wildly varying degrees

of predestination in the lives of different individuals?

I could use varying examples from royalty to those born into war torn or impoverished situations with very little opportunity for changing their lot in life.

Then there are stories of those who overcome outrageous obstacles to accomplish amazing feats, whereas others born into incredible good fortune, squander it entirely.

But for most of us in this culture, I feel it's truly a mixed bag.

A highly respected colleague of mine was once asked if he believed in fate or free will. He said, "On a bad day I believe in fate. On a good day, I believe in free will."

I feel it's a combination of the two as well.

[cheeseit]

3. in a way

I think every event follows on inevitably from preceeding events. Like when you flip a coin, what side it lands on might seem random, but it's really determined by factors such as how hard you flick it, what side up it was when you flicked it etc. I believe people have free will in the sense that no autonomous force dictates their actions, but at the same time the actions and decisions people take follow inevitably from decisions they and others have made in the past, the personalities and experiences of themselves and those around them, and the social circumstances within which they find themselves. People can take things in hand and change their lives or societies, or act in an "out of character" way, but even this follows on inevitably from a feeling within themselves that they need to bring about change as a reaction to circumstances around them.
:shrug:

[liberalitch]

4. The whole reincarnation/karma thing I believe in....

doesn't sinc with predestination