Light,
Regarding the first section where we have discussed about the children of Africa dying out of malnutrition, you have rightly mentioned that to eat with his hands its not necessary to be an adult or have attained a level of maturity. I agree to it, but at the same time, without being matured how would it be possible for the child to think about alternatives as how could he arrange food since he is hungry. Only if someone gets him food maybe he can have it.
I agree that the child is not mature to find a way to find food for himself, but what about the parents of the child--do you think that they are sitting back doing nothing, expecting Destiny to arrange food for them? Do you think anyone will sit back and do nothing, even if they see their children are dying of starvation? The point is they can't do anything, and that is why they have to see their child die of malnourishment. If there was a way, no one would sit back and do nothing and suffer. It's only when a person doesn't see any way out, he surrenders to destiny. I don't think there is anyone in this world who will prefer to wait for Destiny to come and feed him with his own hand, even if he is dying of starvation. He will definitely try to find food for himself and surrender to destiny, only when all his trying has been in vain.
Now about the second segment where we spoke of free will. Well all i meant is destiny is true. It will happen as is destined to us, but at the same time our free will can change things. See destiny might control the mans life by creating situations that wouldn't let him to eat. Maybe he wouldn't have much money or not a good job to support his family, so he has no options but to feed his family first even if has to keep himself hungry. But now in that same situation if he is served with food, to eat it or not is the destiny he creates. because if he eats it he is not hungry anymore, and if he doesn't eat, then nothing can stop him from staying hungry.
Why are you not understanding this simple thing--if food is placed in front of someone, it is his instinct, which will make his hands raise the food from the plate and put it in his mouth. For that he doesn't need to bother about free will. The point is destiny will not bring the food in front of him in the first place, so the choice of having or not having it will not come.
Do you think anyone in this forum is a fool that they come here and cry about their problems if they could solve it with their effort? It is when they have tried all their best and nothing has happened that they have come to this place to seek help. It is their helplessness that has brought them here. It's not that they have an option, and they are not trying it our of laziness or lack of courage.
A person surrenders to destiny after trying his best, not in the very beginning, without taking any effort. No one wants to struggle in life and blame destiny. Everyone tries their level best, and when nothing works out leaves it to destiny. No one is a kid here that they need to be taught what putting efforts mean.
Anyway, let's leave it here. There is always a word for a word, so it's pointless getting into arguments. If you believe free will can change destiny, stay with it. I am not here to change anyone's belief.
"Go thou and follow Him, who was born and gave His life for others five hundred times before He attained the vision of the Buddha!" -- Swami Vivekananda