2006-12-14 15:04:51 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I have to disagree with Zero Cool regarding his specific objection to Pascal's Wager. If an atheist is right, they die and cease to exist. If a Christian is right they die and go to Heaven. If a Christian is wrong, they die and cease to exist. If an atheist is wrong, they die and go to Hell. Clearly there is a qualitative difference between the consequences both of being right and being wrong.
However, be careful not to use Pascal's Wager as a genuine motivator to follow Christ. It's a valid discussion starter, but people should have more motivation than that for following Christ.
2006-12-14 15:19:30 · answer #1 · answered by chdoctor 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends. When you say the Atheist was wrong, that doesn't necessarily mean the Christian was right (and vice-verse.) Maybe they are both wrong. If that's the case, they both have just as much to worry about.
Now, if by one of them being wrong the other is right, then an Atheist has more to worry about, because if the Christian is wrong all he's in for is a little disappointment.
2006-12-14 15:15:42 · answer #2 · answered by disgracedfish 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christians and Atheist have the same worries to have. Atheists for not believing but his good deeds if ever may be credited to him. Christians as they have been deceived but some points may be considered if they lived a good and righteous life. Christianity from the start was a deception by the Romans when they cannot contain the first Christian Jews who were growing in great numbers.
2006-12-14 15:12:05 · answer #3 · answered by Rallie Florencio C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The most that any body could ever hope for is that the Christians are wrong , If and that is a very big if the Christian was wrong then he has lost nothing ,but if the atheist is wrong are any one who rejects the free gift of salvation then they lose everything
2006-12-14 15:14:58 · answer #4 · answered by Terry S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
After you die, you have no worries because you cease to exist as a living creature on this earth. If I had to choose one, I'd definately say the it would be the Christian due to the simple fact that their beilef system could keep them trapped in between the spiritual realms of energy that some refer to as "pergatory". An Atheist would have no preconceived notions of good vs evil for the simple fact that they lack the "fear factor" of mainstream religion regarding life, death & the afterlife! Besides, if GOD is the power that creates ALL life, then it is up to GOD & the humans have no say or power over that power or energy source which has created them & all other living creatures & life forms!!!
2006-12-14 15:17:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
An atheist! If the Christian was wrong, they have lost nothing. They have lived a good life, been nice to others. If an atheist is wrong, they have lost everything.
2006-12-14 15:09:42 · answer #6 · answered by Jinny E 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmm... the Atheist would be forgiven unconditionally, reincarnated, painfully tormented forever by a lesser god or his energy may just keep changing hands.. The Christian would face the same.. seems like once again we all potentially face the same ending, as if we were all equals.. the answer is neither.
2006-12-14 15:15:54 · answer #7 · answered by vincey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Down to the wire....the Christian and the Atheist meet their end, and discover they were WRONG...let's get the microphone down there, with our action news reporter....
C: "What? I was wrong? There really isn't a God? Wow. That's a shock. I missed out on doing heavy drugs and drinking myself into a stupor...I could have cheated on every test and had no consequences...I wasted all my time with my family and kids, and holding down that job. Hmmmmm...not so bad after all, i guess."
A: "What? I was wrong? GOD REALLY EXISTS?!?!?!??!?!? What the #$#%^$#%# is going on??? Where's Darwin? Where is Epicurious? Where is Freud? I've been ripped off! %$^%#^%$#%!!! You mean I spent the last 60 years cussing out the creator of the universe, and he's real??? What, you've been keeping records on me??? Hey, what's with the barbecue pit? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!"
Sounds to me like the Christian is a LOT better off.
2006-12-14 15:19:00 · answer #8 · answered by MamaBear 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the atheists are wrong and there is a higher being, then they'll just have to take the punishment from Zeus. If the Christians are wrong, and Allah is the truth, Allah will smite the Christians with eternal pain and suffering.
2006-12-14 15:08:03 · answer #9 · answered by =_= 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Pascals Wager is kind of a worthless argument.
If you take it to it's logical limits, I suppose BOTH people should be worried. What if they should've worshiped Baal? What if they should've worshiped Krishna or Ninsun? What about Lord Ganesha? What about Zeus, Odin, Osiris, etc?
Aren't YOU worried that maybe you picked the wrong god?
No?
Then why should atheists worry about picking none at all?
2006-12-14 15:06:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋