Integrity

I'm usually thinking about free will, especially when it comes up at Men's Group or with my church friends. Just the other day the same person said, "Hey, if you're gay, you're gay. You can't help it," then later, "Well, you do choose what you do with your body." This guy's main point is, "There's a purpose for every person no matter what circumstance they're born into."

I used to think it doesn't matter at all whether you believe everything is already determined or whether you believe in free will.

Then, over a year ago another minister told me, "It doesn't matter what you believe on this subject . . . [etc.]"

I thought, "Wait a minute; it probably does matter," because I was born antagonistic. (I also was told, "Don't read the Old Testament," by someone I highly respect. So, I started reading the Old Testament more and eventually took 12 hours of graduate level Biblical Hebrew.)

Since last year when I was told it doesn't matter, the question has really interested me and I've discussed it with several other people online and in person who are interested in it as well, although it's almost always them who brings it up. Recently, the movie 21 Grams brought this question into focus. Interestingly, the movie was recommended by an atheist friend of mine.

I believe, though, that another question is much more significant than this complex one of What is determined in life and what is up for grabs?

How can I live in integrity?

I think that's THE question. You can use your answer to the question of whether you believe everything is determined or whether everything is open either to seek integrity or to avoid it.

Seek integrity . . . even if you think it doesn't matter.