The Atheist’s Dilemma: Logical Conclusions to the Lack of Free Will

[ From a Forwarded Email ]

School, 1967 vs. 2007

Scenario: Jack goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school
parking lot with shotgun in gun rack.1967 – Vice principal comes over to look at Jack’s shotgun. He goes to his
car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.2007 – School goes into lock down, and
FBI is called. Jack is hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun
again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.1967 –
Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up best
friends.2007 – Police called. SWAT team arrives. Johnny and Mark are
arrested and charged with assault. Both are expelled even though Johnny
started it.

Scenario: Jeffrey won’t be still in class, disrupts other students.1967 – Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by the principal.
He returns to class, sits still, and does not disrupt class again.2007 –
Jeffrey is diagnosed with ADD and given huge doses of Ritalin; becomes a
zombie. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a learning
disability.

Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his neighbor’s car and his Dad gives
him a whipping with his belt.1967 – Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college,
and becomes a successful businessman.2007 – Billy’s dad is arrested for
child abuse. Billy is placed in foster care and joins a gang. State
psychologist convinces Billy’s sister that she remembers being abused
herself, and their dad goes to prison. Billy’s mom has affair with
psychologist.

Scenario: Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.1967
– Mark shares aspirin with principal out on the smoking dock.2007 – Police
called. Mark is expelled from school for drug violations. Car is searched
for drugs and weapons.

Scenario: Pedro fails high school English.1967 – Pedro goes to summer
school, passes English, goes to college, and graduates.2007 – Pedro’s cause
is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that
teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class
action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro’s English teacher.
English banned from core curriculum. Pedro is given a diploma anyway but
ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

Scenario: Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 4th of July, puts
them in a model airplane paint bottle, and blows up a red ant bed.1967 – Ants die.2007 – Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Homeland
Security, and FBI called. Johnny is charged with domestic terrorism. The FBI
investigates parents; siblings are removed from home; computers confiscated.
Johnny’s dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario: Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee.
He is found crying by his teacher, Heather. Heather hugs him to comfort
him.1967 – In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.2007 –
Heather is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces
three years in state prison. Johnny undergoes five years of therapy.