A Predetermined Purpose

     I believe that living in a nation where "free thinking" is moderately accepted influences the way we view existentialism and the concept of "taking responsibility of our actions." We are not forced to do anything, whether it concerns career or personal life choices, and have the opportunity to choose. However, I do ask myself if what you want your purpose or value to be can be can be restricted by what you believe is the more rational choice, REGARDLESS of what you want. In order to understand this more, I'll offer a more understandable example.
     If one were to be brought up in a culture or environment where the purpose you serve is predetermined and enforced, how exactly can you be responsible for your actions. If you are, say, forced by your government to participate in a war & ordered to destroy the "enemy" or face death yourself, and then you later find out the "enemy" is a group of innocent civilians, what exactly do you do? What purpose do you serve if you sacrifice yourself in order to avoid something that is not in your free will, knowing that you won't make a difference because someone will do it regardless? What was your purpose in life then? Alternatively, how can you be responsible for carrying out your orders for the sole reason of avoiding your own death? What option can you fully hold full responsibility for I think living in a place where there are not as many limitations on your free will or resulting consequences can determine how much you agree with and even embrace this concept of existentialism.