See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal%27s_wager
This very poorly thought out idea of Pascal's does bring up an interesting point. Suppose god rewards the atheist, the agnostic and the skeptic. What if he punishes people who don't even bother to try to think for themselves and only follow dogma?
This would make god a much more rational being.
Would the creator of everything dump his humans on a planet, provide no answers for their existence, (other than the mad ramblings of so-called 'holy men') and then expect them to follow a book written by man to explain himself? Or is it more logical that he would create humans, dump them on a planet, provide no answers for their existence and hope that they would continually question and doubt his existence?
There is also the problem of his creating pain and suffering. But that isn't what I'm asking.
2006-06-14 01:14:04 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Woodworkingm - I find it interesting that hard core christians and right wing republicans have such a problem with Wikipedia. First of all, it is fact checked constantly, and the entire idea of the site is to have a number of points of view instead of one rigid conformist version of 'facts'. You haven't provided any proof that the Pascal's Argument article I linked had any factual errors. You just bad mouth Wikipedia because there are articles on their that you don't like.
Second, you say that god proves himself in the Old Testament? Would that include enlightened statements like: Whoever sacrifices to any god, except the Lord alone, shall be doomed. (Exodus 22:19 NAB) or Anyone arrogant enough to reject the verdict of the judge or of the priest who represents the LORD your God must be put to death. Such evil must be purged from Israel. (Deuteronomy 17:12 NLT)
2006-06-14 02:04:09 · update #1
Jesus Himself said "Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believe"
Perhaps you should give up this train of thought, as it is not going to get you anywhere. You make the assumption that because we follow God's Word as being the absolute truth that we do not question what we see, or try to explain it rationally. I know you cannot understand it, as you have no faith, but we do question everything and it always turns out that God was right.
2006-06-14 01:21:26 · answer #1 · answered by arewethereyet 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God never said, "Don't ask questions." In fact, there are passages in the Bible that implore us to study daily and show ourselves improved. "Blind faith" doesn't just mean never questioning. It means accepting the answer when you get it, as well.
The more burning question is...why should God reveal the proof of His existence to a skeptical, mocking world? The truth is that He did provide proof of his existence thousands of years ago. The proof was in a man named Jesus Christ, only begotten Son, who was arrested, scourged, mocked, crucified and pierced not only by Roman swords but by the unbelief of those He came to save. The rational, thinking, skeptical people hung the proof out to dry. I'll take "blind faith" any day over wandering aimlessly.
2006-06-14 08:27:27 · answer #2 · answered by hillbilly_mama123 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, getting your "facts" with wikipedia, is about nonesensical as anything I ever heard of.
Get them from good reference books like Britannica and others that have been established.
Wikipedia is a collection of "supposed facts" that ANYONE can put online to that place!! They are neither verified or checked, and can be ramblings of man men or people with axes to grind...In other words, facts, maybe, fiction, most definetely...
The LORD didnt sacrafice HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST for nothing. HE gave us a way toward Savlation, and its up to each of us to accept it or deny it.... No other choice in the matter.
And our LORD, was here to guide us a lot, if you read your old testament, and even gave us the last Word on the subject, HIS SON. Now, we wait for the next thing to occur...the return of JESUS CHRIST, to take "HIS CHURCH" up iinto the Clouds and into the New Jeruseleum.
I wish you well..
Jesse
2006-06-14 08:26:36 · answer #3 · answered by x 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Indeed - Pascal's Wager is flawed in several different ways. If we could create intelligent creatures ourselves, would we bestow upon them the power of rational thought and then punish them for using it? I think not. The idea is ridiculous.
It's a moot point because gods are imaginary, of course...
2006-06-14 08:24:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As an atheist, I've always felt that if I were 100 percent wrong, and there was a creator, he'd have to be a pretty petty creature to feel the need to punish me for using my brain. And if he were in fact that petty, there's no chance in hell I could bring myself to worship such a creature.
2006-06-14 08:24:54 · answer #5 · answered by lamoviemaven 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that sounds logical. Personally, I'm not sure I trust any religion that was started by a nomadic people who were looking for ways to control their people. (i.e., didn't want the boys leaving the herds just to go live in the big cities with all the cool stuff, so tell them it's all evil, immoral, etc)
2006-06-14 08:37:13 · answer #6 · answered by Ally 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"sarva dharman parithyaja - maamekam sharanam vraja.
aham thvam sarva papebyo - moksha ishyami maa suchaha ."
This is one of the sloka(verse) from Srimad Bhagavadgitha taught by Lord Srikrishna in sanskrit. It means that Lord Krishna says that leave all the dharmas( faiths) and take unto my surrenderence. I shall take care of every thing belongs to you.
There are many beliefs and religions in the world.what ever u follow, take full surrenderence unto the God without any doubt in your mind,(in your words "blind faith") definitely He will take care of you.That is what Lord Krishna has assured mankind in the above sloka.
There are many instances in Hindu scriptures like Ramayana,Mahabharatha, Puranas and vedas.
The devotees of Lord like Droupathi,Gajendra,
Pandavas,Bhaktha kannappa and many more were saved
and taken care of by the God.
You may learn more by visiting http://www.iskcon.com
2006-06-14 08:42:46 · answer #7 · answered by moni 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the point is made in your description. The fact that we must provide and ask questions of our every day life shows that God intended for us to be sentiant beings. So, if we accept blindly, then aren't we disrespecting that which made us. When Christ died on the cross, he yelled out "Eli, Eli lama sabaca thini" or My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? It shows that if the son questions his fathers intentions then maybe we should too. Thanks for the point to ponder!
2006-06-14 08:25:06 · answer #8 · answered by angry_redneck 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
respect is: listening to a person, think about what he/she has to say, and then answer in an apropriate manner. That can be in an agreeing manner, or in a disagreeing manner.
somebody who would blindly follow my ideas, shows me a big lack of respect. it would mean he/she doesn't even listen what i have to say, or think about it.
I truly think that the same goes for God. Of course He wants us to doubt him, question him, even disbelieve in Him. Because that shows lots and lots more respect to Him than any blind following can ever show.
Therefor i chose to disbelieve in Him, based on my own thoughts, after listening to His word (the bible), after finding proof, after searching for more Truth.
If he might exist, i think he will thank me for the shown respect.
2006-06-14 08:21:17 · answer #9 · answered by Thinx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have had the same thought many times like do evil ppl get a really good rewards because they have to do bad things.
personally i think god wants us to search out the truth and to ask questions so i have to say YES
2006-06-14 08:20:15 · answer #10 · answered by elman411 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋