Do you believe in Pascal's Wager?

Question

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal's_Wager

Interestingly, the Buddhists have made a similar argument, and said that believing in karma and rebirth brings tangible rewards now even if they are not ultimately valid.

The idea of the effect on the now is what seems to elude Pascal... and not surprisingly, as his standpoint is apologetic. The problem with wagering on God's existence is that you may then find yourself bound to belief systems whose tenets have caused war and strife as long as mankind's been around. What god you wager on carries some weight, as well.

But if you wager on no God, you are placing faith in reason and freeing yourself of the tenets of organized religion. You are also furthering good by not contributing to mindless and exclusive clubs.

In addition, a benevolent god would judge a person by merit, not belief. Commanding faith and rewarding it, but burning non-believers... that's a strange god, and only one that humans could cook up.

Answer 1

Absolutely and unapologetically no.

Forgive, but I've yet to come across a more bogus and ostentatious reason to believe in the existence of God. It's completely selfish.

I myself have more agnostic leanings at this point in my life, but have a veritable salad bar array of theist friends, from Catholics to Jews to Muslims to Christians to Hindus, down the line. The ones whose faith means the most to them, who truly are pursuing and care about their faith, have their faith because of a reverence to their creator. They believe g/God has revealed himself/herself to them in such a personal and penetrating way that they cannot do anything else but believe. It's out of duty and reverence. Out of respect for the one responsible for their existence. Even if I disagree or am unsure, that's objectively beautiful.

Converseley and unfortuneately, Pascal's Wager is completely self focused. "Juuuust in case g/God exists, it's in my best interest not to burn in hell for all eternity so I'm gonna put my money on g/God. Double or nothing." Spare me the ignorance. It's this kind of ignorance and lazy theology that gives theists such a bad rap. What a shame.

Answer 2

you will desire to have instructed him that he would desire to have self assurance in God merely in case to circumvent the opportunity of going to hell (thats Pascals wager). he's calling it a pretend dichotomy meaning you're implying that there are in basic terms 2 possibilities while truly there are much greater. Pascals wager relies upon upon the concept the two no God exists or the Christian God in specific exists. It does not account for the opportunity of -- say working example -- the Islamic God exists wherein case you may nicely be a believer in Christianity and nonetheless land up in hell. or possibly a God exists that hates all non secular believers and could in basic terms enable athiests into heaven. Thats merely as probably. element is there are endless possibilities, so believing in 'God' does not garauntee you wont pass to hell, or maybe shrink the likelyhood like Pascal implies.

Answer 3

Your viewpoint seems strangely buddhist: only focused on what happens while one is alive with no regard to the many years before, and many years after, and for all eternity.
By believeing in no God, your freedom is only worth something while you are on this earth, while believing in a god frees you is the afterlife.
Also, belief in God deos not necessitate a selling out to organized religion. For instance, one can believe in the bible, but never go to church, and technically, according to the bible, they would still be saved.
This is the wager Pascal is referring to. Believe in God, not religion.
As far as the idea of the idea of God saying "join me or burn" is totally rediculous. The God pascal referres to, the God of the bible, wishes everyone to be with him, and has told his people (christians) to spread this news. So if anybody is burning, it's not the god's fault, it's the belivers'.

Answer 4

Pascal's Wager is a desperate attempt by bible thumpers to persuade when all else fails.

But, it is just as silly as the offer for "free salvation."

Answer 5

Not sure about that "belief" thing..........I think it is a fools wager though. Also has been mathematically proven illogical.

Answer 6

yes