Determinism is the view that every event in the universe is caused by the events which came before it. In terms of the behavior of humans, we act the way we do (“event”) based upon what has come before us (“cause”). This cause may be the environment or other factors, but the end consequence is that we are not really responsible for what we do. Our actions have been determined before we engaged in them. It’s not our fault how we act.

Sociobiology attributes behavior to the genes, including behavior that would be considered immoral. In this view, not only have our physical bodies evolved through strict natural processes, but also our societal structures and behavior. Any activity we engage in, including any religious and moral activity, exists only because our genes tell us to do these things in order to promote the survival and reproduction of the group. Of course, this assumes that evolutionism is reality.

This issue has a tremendous impact on society. Much of the debate surrounding such things as treatment of criminal behavior, or of homosexual behavior, is grounded in the questions of free will and responsibility. Determinists argue that that punishment of crime should not be based upon notions of moral blame because they really aren’t responsible for what they’ve done. Any concept of free will is really just a delusion. So we can’t treat others with the idea that they freely chose to do what they do.

This whole concept views humans as nothing more than advanced robots. Even concepts like “love” and “justice” are illusions; they evolved to help us survive. Yet, what kind of life and hope does this really offer? On the contrary, God created us with the capacity to choose, the free will to make decisions. Then, we deal with the consequences of those decisions, good or bad. Along with the ability to choose comes the ability to sin. Unfortunately, the whole concept of “sin” has been relegated to the politically incorrect status; it is harmful to society.

The real harm to society, however, is the ignoring of the problem of sin. We don’t like to think about it, perhaps because it speaks to the fact that we are indeed responsible for our own behavior. And if sin is real, then it also means there is a Being to whom we are amenable. Consequently, we must change our lives and act in a morally responsible way. My question is, how can any society function well for very long when it doesn’t take the notion of responsibility seriously?

Only God offers us the plausible and realistic sense of responsibility. We may wish to relegate our behavior to something else so that we don’t have to take the blame, but the consequences of this are far greater than recognizing the reality of sin. In recognizing the reality of sin, we also need to recognize the reality of the One who has done something about sin. Sin is real, but so is forgiveness. But whether we choose to sin, or we choose to submit to God in order to receive His grace, that choice is ours to make. God won’t force it upon us. He wants willing believers, not forced robots.

And incidentally, if one is going to object to all of this, and argue that evolution is behind our behavior and we are not really responsible, then my question is, how can you criticize me for believing what I believe and saying what I say? If that view is correct, then it’s not my fault. And criticizing me for doing what I do would be hypocritical. After all, the whole discussion procedure is based upon the notion that we can choose to respond and make intelligent arguments based upon the ability to independently think.