Think about this:
There is no God. One who believes in God dies, and ceases to exist. One who does not believe dies, and then ceases to exist.
On the other hand, there is a God. One who believes dies, and goes to heaven for all eternity. The person who does not believe dies, and spends eternity suffering in hell.
Based on this, why NOT believe? Why even risk taking a chance with such enormous implications?
I believe that this line of reasoning has a name, but I cannot remember what it is called, does anyone know?
I know that this is not what one's faith should be based on, but I still cannot understand how any atheist, no matter how proud he or she may be, could risk so much if they are wrong!
What do you think?
2007-03-15 15:24:23 · 30 answers · asked by jm 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well, I agree with you. Why NOT believe? You have everything to gain. I personally cannot imagine my life without believing in God. I'm very grateful to have Him in my life.
2007-03-15 15:30:17 · answer #1 · answered by Debbie R 3 · 2⤊ 4⤋
How do you get from "suppose there's a god" to "people who believe go to heaven"? Maybe there's a god and no soul, hence no afterlife. Or maybe god is just those pooled souls of people who died. There's a lot of alternatives out there and most of those alternatives existed even at the time Blaise Pascal was making that argument. Christianity is a very small-minded path (good if you like telling people they'll go to hell since not many other religions copy that concept in that fashion)
2007-03-15 22:33:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think that if less effort was put into whether or not you believe in god and more effort was put into just being a good person, this world would be a much better place for all of us. Why not get up in the morning and instead of praying just say to yourself I'm going to be the best that I can be today. I will be kind to animals, help out where I can, smile a lot, do my job and be greatful that I am able to work. This world can work without god. We can make it work!
2007-03-15 22:37:57 · answer #3 · answered by thinkinitout 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Let's work on Pascal's wager shall we:
If one doesn't believe in god, chances are that person does not believe in heaven or hell
If that person dies, nothings happens. No risk. No reward.
If one does believe in god, chances are he also believes in heaven and hell.
If that person dies, there is an equal chance of spending eternity in heaven or hell. High risk. Reward pending.
The question is: how much are you willing to risk?
2007-03-15 22:32:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think this same question has been asked for centuries. It's called Pascal's wager. It shows that Christianity is a religion of fear.
Believe because we have a loving god, but believe because if you don't, you'll go to hell.
I reject religions based on fear.
Too, with the evidence available for reincarnation, Christianity doesn't seem that necessary. (Of course the Christian will say that evidence of reincarnation is evidence of the devil, but that's par for any religion that dismisses any contrary evidence. It's a logical fallacy that says what proves me right proves me right, and what proves me wrong is a trick of the devil that proves me right.)
Such is life. I'll just refuse to believe in a religion that is based on fear.
2007-03-15 22:32:19 · answer #5 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
It's called Pascal's Wager, and what those who use it often neglect to take into account is that it makes the assumption that THEIR version of God is the "right" one.
Because if their version of God is the wrong one, and the Egyptians have it right (for example), then their "I know I'm going to Heaven" self-righteousness isn't going to weigh well in their favor.
So why didn't they worship the Egyptian gods in order to keep their heart from being devoured by Ammut?
2007-03-15 22:32:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think I have a bottle of Pinot Noir with your name on it.
HUGS! I love ya!
(Edit) Sorry, but we get asked that question so often, we've developed a drinking game, so we don't dread it as much. But you didn't know that. The question you ask is called "Pascal's Wager" and if you search it on wikipedia you'll find a nice article debunking it.
Basically, I reject pascals wager because you then worship a god who rewards people for hedging their bets. Yuck! If that's your motivation, just worship the god with the worst hell (Allah) and better your odds.
2007-03-15 22:27:25 · answer #7 · answered by Laptop Jesus 2.0 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
We aren't risking anything. If your god is as all forgiving and all caring as you say, he wouldn't punish anyone to hell simply because they refuse to believe in something there is absolutely no proof of. Why don't you believe in fairies and elves? they've been written about in many more books that god has? What happens if they really exist and your god doesn't? What if they punish all of you who believe in god?
2007-03-15 22:36:41 · answer #8 · answered by judy_r8 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
YES!!!
Gulp, Gulp.
Samuel Adams Boston Lager.
2007-03-15 22:27:35 · answer #9 · answered by Armund Steel 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If humans evolved from monkeys then why are some still doing Pascal’s Wager?
2007-03-15 22:35:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Man who walks on fence has twice the chance of falling
2007-03-15 22:27:35 · answer #11 · answered by royce r 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋