The existence of "free will" negates the argument that God must have created 
the universe as a "first cause".

The "first cause" argument is that every effect has a cause, and hence for 
the universe to exist, something before the universe must have caused it, 
and hence God exists.[1]

On the other hand, either our decisions are caused by what's in the 
environment, or some aspect of our decisions are not subject to prior 
causes. In the first case, it would be unjust to blame someone for not 
believing in your religion if such disbelief is entirely the fault of 
external circumstances. In the latter case, many decisions have effects 
without precedent cause, and hence the requirement for God to have created 
the universe disappears.

Thoughts?



[1] ("God created the universe" -> "Jesus died for your sins" is left as an 
exercise for the reader.)

-- 
   Darren New, San Diego CA, USA (PST)
   The NFL should go international. I'd pay to
   see the Detroit Lions vs the Roman Catholics.

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