which is smarter? to gamble to believe in him and live (heaven)? or to gamble to not believe in him and be condemned?
2006-07-16 07:14:14 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
'gambling' as in metaphor duh!
2006-07-16 07:22:39 · update #1
If you believed in him simply as a gamble, it wouldn't count for anything anyway, since he supposedly knows what is in each person's heart, and he'd know you really weren't sincere, wouldn't he?
2006-07-16 07:20:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
which is smarter? to gamble to believe in only one of the 10,000 religions world-wide, and have the chance on being 9,999x wrong and thus be condemned? or to gamble to not believe at all, do good to this planet, and with that win the respect of a "God" for having at least an intelligent mind?
you choose!
2006-07-16 14:21:26 · answer #2 · answered by Thinx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm surprised that I don't have a ready made "cut and paste" answer for this yet.
This is called "Pascal's Wager" and is attributed to the mathematician Blaise Pascal. At first it seems to make sense, but upon closer examination it is full of holes.
The problem with this way of thinking is that it presumes that the asker's god is the "right" one. Now, if a person is a Christian and it turns out that "god = Jehovah," then the bet pays off in a big way. However, if it turns out that "god = Allah" or "god = Odin," then the Christian is in the same boat as the atheist. There are far too many options for this wager to be a decent bet.
Furthermore, by embracing so-called "Christian ideals" I would be required to view homosexuality as an abomination, abortion as the murder of innocent life, and take many other positions that are anathema to me. In short, by becoming a Christian I would lose a decent portion of what makes me me. All in all, for these reasons, Pascal's wager is a position I would not take.
2006-07-16 18:34:43 · answer #3 · answered by wrathpuppet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to you, God is threatening us to condemn us to hell if we don't believe. Why would he condemn us for excercising one of the greatest gifts: Free will? I don't see a gamble for any person who makes a decision that is true for them. Just the opposite, both Bod and Jesus were pretty harsh on hypocrites.
2006-07-16 14:39:18 · answer #4 · answered by freebird 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to gamble and think for yourself, consider there is no right or wrong or what is right for you is wrong for me and vice versa, if you choose to believe in god or a higher being exists in all of us, like pantheism then be comfortable with and accept your decision to believe or not believe and do not attempt to impose your views or will on others or disrespect others for having different views this is the smartest or wisest choice by far, live and let live, and cultivate positivity, reject ignorance and apathy these are evils no matter what your religion or who your god is.
2006-07-19 12:36:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to believe in a God that plays these kind of games, go right ahead.
Pascal's Wager, by the way, is one of the weakest apologetics known to mankind. Logically it requires you to believe in every religion on earth that has an afterlife, even if they have contradictory beliefs.
2006-07-16 14:20:19 · answer #6 · answered by Rev. Still Monkeys 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe in hell or heaven. Why should I "be good" for want of reward or avoid "being bad" for fear of punishment? I don't need a god to tell me to be patient and tolerant and responsible for myself. I don't need a devil to poke me with a fork to make me care for my family or provide charity to the person in need. I do the things that need doing because the are the right thing to do, and mind my manners because it is wrong not to, without reward or punishment in eternity. I find the thought of just being dead okay, I don't want to live forever.
2006-07-16 14:23:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've heard that gambling can lead to ruin, so maybe best to not even pick up the dice ;)
2006-07-16 14:21:13 · answer #8 · answered by Julia C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be true to yourself and your beliefs and to recognise that 'gambling' on the afterlife is a shameful and repulsive way to live, and justify, your life.
2006-07-16 14:18:38 · answer #9 · answered by XYZ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey
which is smarter ?
To live in denial
Or
To know that u have control on ur life.
2006-07-16 14:25:17 · answer #10 · answered by Ruchin doe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋