Thursday, October 15, 2009
a question??
So the other day in church we were talking about agency and someone made a comment about choices and how sometimes our agency is taken away from us by others actions..and I am having a hard time wrapping my mind around it. Can our agency be taken away from us? Doesn't that go against the whole purpose of the plan and everything? Maybe I am reading too much into this but if I could get y'alls perspective on it that would be GREAT!!
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5 comments:
No it can never fully be taken away, but it can be limited in a worldly manner. If we break the law when using our agency we can be put in jail. Yes we still overall have agency but what we can do with it is VERY limited when in jail. This also applies to debt and addiction.
So I guess I am trying to say is yes we can limit our agency. I suppose other peoples actions can affect us which in turn might be able to limit our agency, but we choose who we associate with and what we get involved in, so ultimately I still think it is our own actions that limit our agency. At least that is my take on it :)
Laws as she says, which includes dictators, kings, tyrants, rulers, and in a sense- parents can all take away our right to choose. If Obama passes a law that mandates I put my four year old in Pre-K (far fetched, but go with me) then I have lost my right to choose to keep her home with me. This happens lots of times. Think economy, gun rights--consequences of living in a society which is ruled by worldy people. But, as for morally losing our agency...I'm thinking no. If someone puts us in a place where we have no opportunity to make a choice then that is slavery, which is not what they were talking about I am sure. Like if someone says you can give me your money or be shot-once again, this is of no moral consequence. But I am researching it and will get back with you if I find something contrary to thoughts already listed.
We have the privilege of choosing, refusing, acting, rising up, sitting down, doing this or not doing; we are just as independent in our sphere as the Gods are in theirs, and our agency is our own, and we can do as we please. We can govern and control ourselves, and when we do this by the law of truth it produces life within us and leads to eternal life; but when we take the opposite course and yield to principles that tend downward the result is death and destruction. Journal of Discourses, Thought it would solidify your feelings.
LDS Women’s Treasury: Insights and Inspiration for Today’s Woman , p.172
One of the most difficult emotional experiences one can have in this life is to feel that emotions are brought about by outside forces. The loss of the sense of agency can be one of the most traumatic effects of divorce. We may feel that other people or circumstances are in charge of our lives and that we are at their mercy. That in itself can be turned to a positive: it can help us develop a deep appreciation for free agency and its role and purpose in our eternal progression. AGAIN-TRYING TO HELP
I agree with what Annie said - and add that our agency can also be limited by others, too. If the government passes a law that eliminates a choice for us, yes that limits our choices and thus our ability to use our agency. Think of people in WWII prison camps - their agency was very limited, and it was nothing they had done. But it is never 100% gone; the prisoners still had to decide what they were going to do.
I guess that's why it's important for us to fight for our freedoms no matter how small they are!
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