2007-05-14 11:08:07 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Pascal's wager:
"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
2007-05-14 11:14:59 · answer #1 · answered by eldad9 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My opinion? once you're extremely not sure and you desire to desire for an illustration to help your self make certain what to believe, then knock your self out, darling. individually, i think of the top result would be an identical...you will no longer get an answer. The try is honestly what you do with that loss of reaction. countless theists pray for some sign of god and are able to justify the shortcoming of a reaction to themselves, or see signs and indications in extremely undemanding issues or activities. Many, nevertheless no longer all, atheists did pray - very clearly - for some variety of sign or indication that there become a deity...the shortcoming of reaction become at times their first indication that there become no longer something on the different end. interior the top, i do no longer think of that the praying will substitute a single ingredient - you're on the path you're on.
2016-12-29 04:23:07 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, atheists don't believe in God. Why would you pray to something you don't believe exists? Do you pray to Zeus that there is no Zeus?
2007-05-14 11:11:04 · answer #3 · answered by murnip 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
What is an athiest?
I keep seeing that word...
I know what an ATHEIST is...
And yes!... Thank God! I am one of them.
2007-05-14 11:16:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Atheists don't pray. Numpty.
Atheists say things like "oh God" (when something bad has happened) "Jesus" (when swearing) and "Holy Hell" (when playing at Batman & Robin)
LOL
2007-05-14 11:12:52 · answer #5 · answered by claire b 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why would we pray?
You seem to not get it. There is no god, no one to pray to period.
2007-05-14 11:14:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you fail to make us look bad point set serve winner atheist losers religious freaks buh bye and return when you have some braincells
2007-05-14 11:30:35 · answer #7 · answered by felpa_de_osa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pascal's Wager! *drink*
2007-05-14 11:12:58 · answer #8 · answered by KC 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Uh, think about it a second. It'll come to you.
2007-05-14 11:10:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Should I have fish for dinner?
2007-05-14 11:13:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋