What would the Atheist corrallary be? One that wasn't so easily refuted...
2007-02-27 04:46:51 · 14 answers · asked by Laptop Jesus 2.0 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
((Hugs to you scapegoat - sending a virtual latte your way))
I love the Atheists Wager too btw! Thanks for the reminder!
2007-02-27 05:04:19 · update #1
Do I still get to drink if it's a letter off?
The Atheist's Wager:
"You should live your life and try to make the world a better place for your being in it, whether or not you believe in God.
"-If there is no God, you have lost nothing and will be remembered fondly by those you left behind.
"-If there is a benevolent God, he will judge you on your merits and not just on whether or not you believed in him."
2007-02-27 04:53:40 · answer #1 · answered by dmlk2 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Bailse Pascal figured that however long the odds are against the existence of god, there is an even greater asymmetry in the penalty for guessing wrong. You'd better believe in god , because if you are right you gain eternal bliss and if you are rong it doesn't matter anyway. But if you do not believe ion god and it turns out you are wrong you get eternal damnation. What's wrong with the wager is that believing is not something you decide to do as a matter of policy. It is not an act of will. I can decide to go to church or read the bible and swear on it that I believe every word in it. But none of these things can make me actually believe it if I don't. At best it is an argument for feigning belief in god.
2007-02-27 05:05:25 · answer #2 · answered by The Stainless Steel Rat 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wikipedia says this:
Pascal argued that it is a better "bet" to believe that God exists, because the expected value of believing that God exists is always greater than the expected value resulting from non-belief. Indeed, he claimed that the expected value is infinite. Pascal believed that it was inexcusable not to investigate this question: "Before entering into the proofs of the Christian religion, I find it necessary to point out the sinfulness of those men who live in indifference to the search for truth in a matter which is so important to them, and which touches them so nearly."
Unfortunately, Pascal had only his biased perspective of the Christian religion. Some might agree with the necessity for the search for truth, but Pascal would only admit that the truth was in Christianity alone. How, then, are there atheists? An atheist certainly believes that he has the truth of the matter, and says unequivocally, "There is no God". Pascal, and so many others, see only 2 choices; Either Christianity is the truth, or there is no God.
Both Christianity and Atheism claim the absolute truth, yet they are completely opposed to one another. Either one of them is right, or they are both wrong. In order to determine which, they should both be subjected to independent scrutiny. One cannot prove the truth of Christianity with Christian scripture. That is like saying, "I always tell the truth. If you don't believe me, just ask me". It must be corroborated independently of its own scripture. Similarly, one cannot prove there is no God by asking an atheist why they believe it to be true.
2007-02-27 05:11:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Making a sound atheist corrallary to Pascal's Wager might be a little tough since Pascal's Wager is flawed to begin with. Besides, it would be trying to apply logic to something illogical. Nailing jello to the wall would be an apt description of this. However, given enough time, monkeys, and typewriters, I am sure we can come up with something.
2007-02-27 04:51:33 · answer #4 · answered by A.Mercer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Rascals Wager"- Why not disbelieve just in case?
That way an all knowing God will not mistake you for a hypocrite who is only pretending to believe "just in case" like Pascal suggested.
Isn't Pascals wager about "paying lip service"?
Is it possible to fake belief? And what of faith? Can that be faked too? Or is pretending, "just in case", what is meant by "Paying lip service"?
2015-10-17 10:19:40 · answer #5 · answered by Dr Yes level 9 since 1999 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, no, but Wascal's pager comes to mind. I called it the other day but he was out wunning and said he'd get back to me when hell fwoze over.
Ah, the atheist corrolary: Rational Thinking? Guess the Book of Fact From the Book of Fiction? Darwin's Sager?
~~Tips glass~~ I'm going for some Kahlua and milk today. Incorrect spellings merit a larger cup but a lower alcohol content. =)
2007-02-27 05:07:12 · answer #6 · answered by Me, Thrice-Baked 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That it's better not to place one's faith in fairy tales. The "expected value" of NOT being made a complete fool by pious idiots is greater than that of slavishly following out a set of dead conventions on the belief that doing so will win you favor with some projected Father Figure who will then reward you with entry into some hallucinated Heaven when you expire.
All Pascal has done is to expose the Christian "ethic" for the despicable, amoral swindle it really is. "Your God is an old man whom you cheat" - Ibsen.
2007-02-27 04:50:13 · answer #7 · answered by jonjon418 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it seems you are very intelectual stating that you should know by the ignorance of some (Pascals Wager)that you do not put all people in the same category,he has every right to his belief and it is his dilemma not the christians to condemn him or you for his or your belief,christians get persecuted for trying to show the way to the truth and the light as i am sure you know if people do not believe why is it so important to be so knowledgable about the bible,if they didnt know what the bible says then it shouldnt be a problem for them
2007-02-27 05:22:07 · answer #8 · answered by loveChrist 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I found Wascals Pager! Its going off right now!
Wait... its a 900# listed in the box... yuk.
2007-02-27 04:55:31 · answer #9 · answered by billthakat 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is that the one that says you must accept Alfalfa as your savior?
2007-02-27 04:49:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋