Free Will

Christians commonly claim that god granted us free will, and does not interfere with the daily lives of people.
We make our own choices.
That's why there is evil and suffering in the world.

So why pray for things ?
Wouldn't the answering of a prayer contradict the concept of non-intervention ?
Wouldn't intervention contradict the concept of free will ?
(even if not for the one praying, certainly for others affected)

Also:
If god is omniscient, he must know the future.
If god knows the future, he must know what we will do.
If god knows what we will do, it must be in some way pre-determined.
If our actions are pre-determined, we do not have free will.

Why all the suffering ?

I've never seen a satisfactory answer to this simple question.

Why, if there is a compassionate and merciful god, is there so much suffering in the world ?

The most common answer is that we have been granted free will, and gods do not interfere with the daily lives of people.

That's all well and good for the small minority of us adults that live in the priveliged parts of the world. My life is pretty much in control and I'm glad to have the free will to do as I wish (though I obviously don't believe any god granted it to me).

What about the starving millions in the 3rd World ? They have little opportunity to help themselves. OK, maybe we should use our free will to choose to help them - maybe...

What about the millions that die young, often very young, every year from incurable diseases ? There's literally nothing we can do for them.

What about the thousands that die every year as a result of earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, floods or other natural disasters completely beyond our control or powers of prediction ? There's literally nothing we can do for them.

What kind of a god would allow such regular and terrible tragedies to kill innocent men, women and children ?
It just doesn't make any sense.


Epicurus
Is God Willing/Able to prevent Evil ?

Is he willing, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?

Why Worship and Pray ?

Why do believers feel it is necessary to prostrate themselves and worship at the feet of their gods ?

• Would any true god need reminding of what he did ?
• Would any true god need the ego-massage ?
• Would any true god need reminding of how great he is ?
• Would any true god like the simpering servitude ?

Why do believers pray to their gods ?

• Wouldn't a true god already know what needs to be done ?
• Wouldn't an answered prayer contradict the religious idea of non-intervention / free will ?
  
• Do prayers really get answered ?
• If so, what on earth are people praying for ?

I can't imagine why any god would not be appalled at all that snivelling, grovelling and begging.

What an absurd waste of time and energy.