Re: What prevents evolution?
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There is no reason that God would have to 'control' the system if he made it originally with the correct rules.
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I think here we would just be arguing about what we mean by control. If God created the universe so that He knew when you flipped a coin and it would come up heads, and that's what He wants to happen, and if He could have created the universe slightly different so that the coin comes up tails if that's what He wants, then He's in ultimate control - chance in the absolute sense is still excluded. Also, He may not care which it is though He does know. So He may not actually act when it isn't necessary - but He could and so still has ultimate control.
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I assume you believe that free will exists.
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This is a very difficult question. I believe we have free will in the sense we are not coerced by God. I also believe we are morally responsible. Things start to get fuzzy after that. I've recently ordered a book by a theologian I admire and I believe he's going to discuss this issue a bit. Maybe I'll return to the subject later, but I feel very certain there will still be some mystery about this.
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If the coin ends up on the atheist side, can I say that I have God's permission not to believe in him?
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LOL - see the verse that says "You shall not tempt the Lord your God."
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