So let say an Atheists accepts this wager, and acts righteous and stuff. But, will it really work?
Theists agree that God is omnipotent and know what's in your heart, and the one who accepts Pascal's wager just to save his behind isn't really being sincere to God.
Take it from that atheists point of view, "I don't really believe in God, but I have nothing to lose if I take this wager"
Sincerely, he never believed in God, even if he accepts the wager, he's not believing in God.
Faith in God isn't like fire insurance, when will the other theists get it?
2007-03-12 06:16:12 · 14 answers · asked by Adia Azrael 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
*drink* I can't believe you asked this question. I thought you loved me, Adia!
lol
No, it doesn't work, for many reasons.
2007-03-12 06:29:00 · answer #1 · answered by Kallan 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I really doubt it would ever work on someone who was born and remained an atheist or perhaps agnostic, or what the heck, any other non-christian, non-fear tactic religion.
The only danger it holds for former theists is the superstition factor. Once you've been indoctrinated in christian fear, it can be very difficult to overcome.
Dangers of a relapse are very real. But even should an atheist, such as myself, start playing the game again, there's just no way I personally could make myself believe.
At best I could pay lip service.
2007-03-12 13:24:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think your reasoning is sound here. However, back in Pascal's day, atheists did not have a chip on their shoulder regarding the God they do not believe in.
Yes, I have not been a big believer in Pascal's Wager, however, I think Pascal was just trying to get his atheist friends to even consider the possibility and explore it. It is another form of when the Bible says, "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.".
nolet93 - I totally agree.
2007-03-12 13:22:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a Christian, but even I can see the flaws in Pascal's wager. Acting "righteous and stuff" has nothing to do with it. In Pascal's thoughts it boiled down to "belief." Belief, right - it's better to believe than to die and find out I was wrong. What a joke. Think about it. Couldn't this logic be applied to other religions as well?
2007-03-12 18:23:49 · answer #4 · answered by Phyllobates 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are correct in saying that faith in God is not like fire insurance, but the wager was thought in a way that even if you do it without believing, by keeping on praying God your heart would reform.
2007-03-12 13:22:03 · answer #5 · answered by remy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The wager does not work, and never will. It has been proven faulty numerous times, especially because in order for the wager to hold valid, there needs to be proof of the CHRISTIAN God. The wager does not work for the other hundreds of thousands of Gods that man has created.
2007-03-12 13:20:56 · answer #6 · answered by dmlk2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only people intelligent enought to even read about Pascal's wager are those who would never follow it in the first place.
I feel, in this case, that I helps you to know that I am a theist.
2007-03-12 13:22:10 · answer #7 · answered by Convictionist 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Frankly, people would resort to that with me (back when I used to enjoy arguing about it -- bored, now), and it offended me.
What sort of god would WANT people to believe as "insurance"?
Besides, I don't believe. Am I being expected to pretend? (even more offensive)
How can I believe if I don't.
If I asked you to believe your bed was full of purple elephants, could you believe it just by telling yourself to believe it?
If I were religious, I would not use that argument -- it's hypocritical.
2007-03-12 19:26:13 · answer #8 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How dare you interject rational thought into this.
Also needing explanation is how to have both an omnipotent superbeing and free will. They can't co-exist.
2007-03-12 13:21:28 · answer #9 · answered by zaphodsclone 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
true but it could be an open door that God uses to soften their heart and through sanctification make them His and lead them to believe. Nothing is too much for God!
2007-03-12 13:23:01 · answer #10 · answered by nolet93 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Who needs the insurance - there is no god or gods.
2007-03-12 13:20:32 · answer #11 · answered by Freethinking Liberal 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋