In a natural materialist world, nothing but the physical realm exists. The only things that exist are what you can see, touch, feel or weigh. There is no room for anything immaterial because immaterial things cannot be “scientifically” proven or disproven.
There are several serious ramifications for this view. One ramification of the view is that it eliminates the ability to make free decisions. If we, as humans, are just physical entities made up of molecules devoid of an immaterial mind, then all we can do is react not reason.
Reasoning happens when the mind evaluates two or more pieces of information, taking in account past experiences, and makes a decision based on the information its presented. Since, the mind is an immaterial entity, it cannot exist in a materialist worldview and therefore no reasoning is possible. All that exists for the materialist is a brain containing molecules that react to the stimuli presented to it. Very similar to inputting data into a computer running software, it can only do what it is programmed to do and nothing else. The computer is not free to “think” on its own, and only capable of doing what the software tells it to do, just ask Apple computer’s Siri.
Based on purely physical, neurochemical reactions, the brain is only a machine incapable of cognitive reasoning, and so cannot make free decisions. Our responses to each other, evidence, facts, or any kind of information becomes determined only by physical factors – like talking to a computer.
This turns all learning, testing and knowledge into an exercise of predetermined chemical reactions. So much for “free” thought.
There is no possibility of a free decision with a computer nor within the natural materialist worldview. The only possibility of a “free” decision involves an immaterial mind capable of choice, and that can only exist in a world where immaterial entities exist. Consequently, Freethinkers can only exist in a theistic worldview.
So, are you free to agree or disagree with me, or will you answer like Siri?