But a more important question is is the reality of free will more important than the image-idea of it? We can only live our lives as we can, with the knowledge we have while doing so.

Exactly

It’s a pretty pointless question, because the outcome is the same regardless

The irony is not lost on me,

OP seems to be looking for concrete answers to some questions, which is impossible due to their very nature

Then you’re wasting your time, and ours

You can trust me about booze, and fisting

I know a lot about booze, and fisting

A couple of other things too, but those two are where I really shine

Oh, and ignore all religious ideas about free will

You’re not going to get anywhere listening to fairytales

You’re welcome

There are many others with good ideas about free will, but the reality is that it doesn’t matter in the slightest. If we do have it, then we will act as we choose, if we don’t, then what we think we think we’re acting from choice

The outcome is absolutely the same, it’s just whether or not we’re prepared to take responsibility for our choices

It’s all unfalsafiable, so it’s in the realm of philosophy. There’s no evidence either way, so we may as well just be true to ourselves and enjoy the ride

Look at the works of B. F. Skinner

Free will is an illusion, but it doesn’t need to invoke a deterministic universe or anything so esoteric

The reality is that we’re born into societies that shape us. We can do great things with the personal agency that we have, but we will always be constrained by the things we’re taught, the things we’re not taught, and the world around us

It’s neither good nor bad, it’s just a part of life. It’s all about what we choose to do that matters

All we can do is our best

They forget that their freedom to worship also means that we’re free not to

Of course, they justify it by claiming that they’re “saving” us

I don’t want saving. I want to be left alone

RELIGIOUS groups, specifically

They can’t keep their noses and superstition out of the lives of others

Oh well, I can’t please everyone

Yeah, people just can’t handle the internet…