Is this the way Christians think? Is this the way Atheists think?

Question

A typical Christian-

If I believe that god exist and he doesn't, I have nothing to lose but if I believe he doesn't exist and he does, I might go to hell so, I would just believe to stay on the safe side.

A typical Atheist-

If I dont believe god exist, they claim I will go to hell but what if hell doesn't even exist? Are they trying to control me with fear? Now i'm even more suspicious. I'm a good person so if god does exist and is sending good people to hell, he's evil himself and can't be trusted.

about me
http://www.charliecheckm.com

Answer 1

Pascal's Wager, as I remember it, is an over-literated falsehood. The entire premise assumes that there is somehow some way of actually determining the odds of a higher power/ afterlife, or that even if there is a way of doing so, that it should even matter.

There is no certainty of the infinite world, because we have finite minds. It does not matter if there is a god or where, if anywhere, we will go when we die. The only certainty we have in this life, is this life. That is 100%.

All we know is that we are alive in this moment, and that we may not be in the next. Therefore, we should live our lives to the best that we can, striving to be good people, but not because religion tells us to. Religion is wasted energy, and just think of all of the wonderful things in life that religious people give up for the sake of make-believe. If you have a strong conviction within you to change or stay away from something in your life, then be strong and do so because you are intelligent, always think independently, and don't hide behind religion to tell you what to do. We all know how to be good people, religion is just a way for some to be self-rightious in claiming that they know "The Way".

It will be sad to see how many thumbs down I will get... But I hope that you, and others out there, are clear-minded enough to see how simple it all really is...

compassion, honesty, strength and wisdom to you

Answer 2

Here's a more detailed explanation of why pascal's wager is flawed:

"If god exists, it's infinitely better to believe, since you get heaven instead of hell for eternity. If he doesn't, it doesn't matter since you're dead anyway. So overall it's better to believe"

This is, of course, false.

Some of the problems with the argument:

* The implied assumption that god may exist (with a 50% probability, no less!)

* The assumption that there is an afterlife with a heaven and hell

* The assumption that the god cares about belief in him/her above all else

* The assumption that if you believe in a god, it will definitely be the same god that actually exists.

* The assumption that you lose nothing if it's false. You have lost a great deal, from time praying to a nonexistent entity (some people pray several hours a day!!!) to morality (your god may ask you to hurt other people) and much more besides.

* The assumption that people can believe in something simply because it benefits them. Would you believe goblins exist for twenty bucks? Why not?

* The assumption that any god won't see through the "believing just to get into heaven" ploy.

For more:
http://www.abarnett.demon.co.uk/atheism/wager.html
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/pascal-wager/
http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/theism/wager.html

Answer 3

I used to think that way (as a Christian,not an aethiest...never been one), that even if He didn't exist by believing I was on the "safe side"...
But now i know for sure there is a God that exists and is there always, omnipitent, omniscient, and listening to our every problem!
As for Aethiests, I think they're just afraid of the unknown, and afraid to let go of the life they are living. They're afraid of giving up the lifestyle because if they admit they are sinning they will have a conscience. I feel sorry for them. If they would just let go and allow God to take place in their lives they would never regret it.
And if an aethiest tells you that the above isn't true its cuz they feel conviction. The first thing people who feel conviction do is get angry and deny everything. They know their fear is real, and are afraid of "letting it go", if you will. Which doesnt' make sense because who likes to be scared, right? But somewhere deep down that's all they have to hold onto.
Anyway, God Bless you and I hope you find God's peace in your life.

Answer 4

No, both are wrong...... do more research before generalising.

For balletdncr777, you are generalising as well ...... Tell you what .... god don't exist ..... now don't deny that, if you do you are slapping yourself,

(i.e. The first thing people who feel conviction do is get angry and deny everything. They know their fear is real, and are afraid of "letting it go", if you will. Which doesnt' make sense because who likes to be scared, right?)

If you deny that god don't exist, you know your fear is real, and are afraid of "letting your idea of god" go. It make you scared because you are afraid of the unknown should you know the truth you had been duped for the past don't know how many years, correct?

Please ..... I was a christian, I know what was going on ..... Read the whole bible in full and you know the truth .... find out context with both "for" and "against"..... get to know the fact .... you had been duped.

Answer 5

No, because if you merely believe that god exists to be safe you are still going to hell and everyone is still a sinner no matter how much good they do since you can't be perfect.

Answer 6

A typical Christian-

No. I've at least never have been with God for that reason. Besides, what you are describing is fear, and not faith.

About the Atheist, I think that you have it about right.

Answer 7

I'm a christian, and I don't believe for the reason you gave at all. I guess I'm not "typical" when it comes to my faith and why, or maybe you just don't understand it. Which seems more likely?

Answer 8

No, he told me he exists. You think its cause I'm brain-dead?

Answer 9

At it again, eh?
Why don't you come up with a new question instead of asking this one over and over again?