Christianity is motivated by fear and self-interest, and marked by delusion and denial. That's pretty obvious. "I did this, will I still get into Heaven?" "He did that, guess he's going to Hell." "One day you'll find out." "We'll see how smart you are when Judgement comes." Pascal's Wager suggests that you can "hedge your bets" by believing, and it is terribly flawed, but widely accepted as a valid reason for religious faith. Not so, because it assumes too much.
It's human, it's made up of the kind of negativity of which human beings are capable, but few resist.
2007-02-02 08:03:08
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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The answer to your first question is no! "Christian" is a very loose term and covers a lot of ground, however, if we narrow the definition to "one who is devoted to, is in love with, and chooses to pattern his life after Christ", that totally eliminates "games" of any kind, including the "better safe than sorry" game you mention. The more you get to know Jesus, through the study of his word, through prayer, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the more you love him, and love casts out fear and every other negative emotion.
What I would like to know, though, is why you would care what Christians think. Are you, as an honest Atheist, just a little afraid of the defiant stance you have taken (just in case there is a God, of course) and are hoping that if you can knock the props out from under a few more so-called "Christians" then you will feel a little more secure in your "God doesn't exist" religion? I see no other reason why this topic should interest you at all.
2007-02-02 08:19:11
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answer #2
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answered by arcticsunshine 2
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when Christians say this, they are saying it to make a point to appeal to the logic of an atheist. They truly believe that God exists. Christianity isn't all about a "religion" and having to do things OR ELSE. it's about a relationship with the Creator of the Universe. It's about doing things because you WANT to, not because you're afraid of hell. God does exist because i have expirienced His grace and mercy and love and forgiveness and kindness. It's like the wind, even though I can't see the wind, i know it's there because i have felt the effects of the wind. God is the most important thing in my life and i am perfectly happy and content. and i'm not a Christian just to escape hell(which is real. Jesus talked about hell more than he talked about Heaven in the Bible, yet more people believe in Heaven than they do hell. now isn't that a contradiction) I'm a Christian so i can be complete. you know that empty space that everyone has and everyone is searching for something to fill it? well, i stopped searching because Jesus filled that empty space. and "getting out of Hell is not "hoping you did enough good to outway the bad." It clearly states in the Bible that all you need to do is believe in Jesus and ask forgiveness for your sins, and you will be saved. (John 3:16) (Romans 5:8) (Romans 6:23) (Romans 3:23) Jesus already paid the price for your sins WILLINGLY by dying on the cross and raising from the dead. all you need to do is accept the free gift of salvation. if you have any questions, feel free to email me. I'll be praying for you. :-)
God Bless
2007-02-02 08:12:29
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answer #3
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answered by love4God 2
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first of all, your are going from the premise that God doesn't exist, which I don't accept as valid. Second of all, a truly repentant person who desires with all his heart to love and serve God with everthing within him doesn't subscribe to pascals's wager. Your premise is completely flawed.
Hell is a reality, whether you accept it or not. Just because I know it exists doesn't make me afraid of it. How can I be afraid of hell if I know I'm not going there? Your premise is flawed on that argument as well. You are assuming a believer only believes in God to escape hell. WRONG. That's the way an atheist thinks. They look at what they would be missing out on in this temporal world if they accept God as real. They say this worls is all there is. A believer knows there is infinitely more to gain by believing and surrendering their will to God. A believer has an eternal perspective.
2007-02-02 08:02:38
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answer #4
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answered by 4 Shades of Blue 4
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You are right that fear should not be one's motive for believing in God or for following His teachings. God's purpose for us (so I believe) is that we are to be happy. His teachings provide tools and guides to achieve happiness. God's teachings aren't restrictive, but provide mankind with choices and therefore freedom. The reason that it can't hurt following what many believe are the teachings of God is because they are essentially a moral way of living, a method to overcome selfishness and look beyond the self (similar to Buddhism). So, it is definitely not about selfishness, but the opposite; it's about what the faith provides, not what you can lose. If happiness and selflessness are a bad thing, then I would probably stop being a Christian, but because I believe these are good things I will continue. I respect all people regardless and realize it is not our position to judge.
To apply to your analogy...we do what we do in our marriages/we believe in our husband or wife because we know the result is their individual growth and happiness.
2007-02-02 08:18:34
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answer #5
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answered by straightup 5
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The view you are describing is called "Pascal's bet" because Blaise Pascal (a scientist!) stated it so clearly as the reason he was a Christian. Personally, my belief system makes more sense to me than alternatives, so I believe it. I'm guessing that means we are similar--at least in this way.
I would agree that God has more respect for a sincere doubter than someone who is self-righteous.
As to hell, we can choose whether we want to be there or not. Personally, I prefer the alternative. It wouldn't surprise me if some would choose hell.
Hope this helps.
2007-02-02 08:00:42
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answer #6
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answered by ngel_lite 1
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They're not being selfish so much as they are ignorant.
That logic, Pascal's Wager by the way, shows their ignorance in thinking that their god is the only god. They don't realise that there are thousands of potential gods that could save them from hell. So, their believing in A god doesn't save them from the potential of going to hell because they could be wrong.
Getting back to your selfish premise - there's nothing wrong with being selfish and even more so, self-preserving. We don't want to die, suffer, or otherwise be in a precarious situation for.. well.. eternity. It's just the nature of being human. But, believing in a skydaddy to garner eternal life is just stupid.
2007-02-02 08:07:15
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answer #7
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answered by umwut? 6
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Generally when Christians use this argument they are not using it as a foundation for their own beliefs, but to point out that the Atheist/Agnostic is really in the more precarious position in light of Eternity.
2007-02-02 07:57:40
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answer #8
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answered by happygirl 6
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I have heard that scenario but do not believe that is how most Christians think any who do are hardly christian Christian means giving your life to Christ there is no 1/2 measures.
2007-02-02 07:58:16
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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As a Christian, I do believe there is a Heaven and Hell. Yes, there are some 'Christians' that 'play itsafe currently'. They make their choice; and I make mine.
2007-02-02 09:21:34
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answer #10
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answered by jefferyspringer57@sbcglobal.net 7
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