What is the bigger gamble, believing in God or not believing in God?

Question

I know many people who like to turn the believing thing into a game, so here goes... The can of worms is now open! I am going to turn this one around and put it out there that bigger gamble is BELIEVING in God. Here are my reasons:
1) The notion that either God exists or does not (2 possibilities) does not imply that the chances are 50/50, although I will hear many a religious fanatic argue exactly that.
2) If I believe in God and he does not exist, I have just wasted the only life I had by believing, arguing, going to church, doing works etc. on a mistaken notion.
3) If I don't believe, and he does exist and is just, I am a moral person, surely I get a pass. I think God could understand my reasons for not believing
[interject generic thoughtless fanatic statement here i.e. "you have to believe, you have to have faith..."]
My response: "I have faith in many things; it comes from within, and it is personal. I just don't like blind faith, it is dangerous and growth-stunting"

Answer 1

instead of just drinking on this one, i am proposing a toast to you!

**raises glass up high**

Answer 2

The***PRAYNOGRAPHER***will answer this one. Once upon a time everyone believed that the world was flat. Just because they all believed it, didn't make it so did it ? Those that doubted had some trouble convincing the believers for fear that they would fall off the edge. They felt safer staying near and working for those that kept them in the dark. Then doubt, and wonder took over some of the more enlightened minds. Copernicus was one such mind.He was beheaded for spreading truth. The truth of science, and reason will favor the future to those that choose to think freely, and independently of a god that used intelligent design to build a Volkswagen instead of a Cadillac. Open the window of your mind, and take that ride into the unknown in your Cadillac, and by all means put the top down. Dare to dream, and venture through the experiment of life.
THE world is a BEAUTIFUL PLACE full OF things called THE HUMAN RACE
Their life IS short, but to the point
It's either LEARN TO shoot straight or ROLL A JOINT
MORE then shooting at FLYING geese
It is your fellow man you kill FOR PEACE !!
Now go back and read just the words in all caps.
I wrote this on a hill top in Veit Nam in 1969 after 12 of my brave comrades of Bravo 1/4 3rd Marines lost their lives. What a waist. Believe whatever you choose, but believe it as you see it ,not as what someone directs you too. FREE THE WEED. The ***PRAYNOGRAPHER***has spoken.

Answer 3

This is a topic many people could go for days on debating. Everything revolves around personal beliefs. I personally believe in Him whole heartedly. He is the Master, Creator, Father... He is Everything. I believe this because of what the Bible says. I also think that the government is taking him out of the schools and out of our country. This is probably because people want proof of His existance. But that is where your faith comes in... if you have faith in Him then you will always be one of His children.
Don't get me wrong, I am not a big religious fanatic and I am not in church every Sunday. I just know that He is my Father and if I follow Him... He will lead me to Heaven.

Answer 4

I say that NOT believing in God is a MUCH bigger gamble, because He does exist, and it's obvious! For your first statement, the chances are NOT 50/50, they are in fact, 100/0 with God being the 100. For your second statement, even *IF* God doesn't exist, we lose nothing, sure, we lived for something that didn't exist, HOWEVER, we had a sense of peace and joy and we had hope that couldn't be surpassed. We LIVED for something, instead of wandering about aimlessly. For your third statement, God does exist and He is just BUT, your sins separate you from God. We were created to be with Him,we were all created with the feelings to worship something. That is why all those other gods were created, to fill that *longing*...However, God is the ONLY one to be worshipped. AND not only that, God WANTS to have YOU in the kingdom of God with Him, however, any and all sins you have ever committed separate you from Him. THAT is why Jesus came to earth and lived a died a perfect, sinless life. WE put the nails in His hands. WE beat His back with a whip lined with nails, WE thrust a crown of thorns in His face and WE spit in His face. And yet, the whole time He *could* have stopped us, He could have gotten off that cross, yet He CHOSE to die, so that WE could live. At the cross WE were the joy and hope set before Him. WE were the ones HE died to save. But death was not the end. Christ defeated death. He lived. He rose again, because death couldn't defeat Him. He was larger than life...and death. So yes, you have to have faith IN God. NOT faith from yourself or from within. Blind faith is so NOTdangerous or growth-stunting. It grows you and is safer than this world for sure. But I g2g, God leaves the Truth up to you...Hope you find the RIGHT path...

Answer 5

Believing.

I would add that if there were a god, there is an infinite variety of gods that are possible, only one of which (or maybe a few) that you believe exist. That means you have a near 0% chance of picking the correct god. If the god happens to be a jealous god, then you have a 100% chance of pissing him off.

On the other hand, a god would have to be a fairly grand being with high inteligence if he knows enough about universes to actually make one. Since there is no evidence of him, he is also one who is not really concerned with our day to day lives or who is purposely hiding from us. If we act as expected of an intelligent organism and dismiss his existence when he's provided no evidence, I would think he would be pleased with our deduction ability, if he noticed us as all.

Answer 6

Here is the scoop.
The biggest gamble is NOT believing in God.

If God is real, (and I can tell you He is), and you do not believe in Him, when you die on this earth and stand before His throne, what will you say???

If He is not real, (you will find that He is), then what have you lost? You have really helped yourself, because faith in God has been proven to be a healer of the mind, soul and body.

Besides, if you look at all the things in this world, and the intircate detail of all that was made, such as the human body, plants, oceans, all life, how in the world, (or heaven), can anyone NOT believe that there is a higher power.

Take some time and ponder this. Then if you are still not sure, ask God to speak to you. To give you a sign. You wont be sorry.

Answer 7

I would rather believe and be wrong then to not believe and meet my maker and realize I had made a big big mistake! Living by Gods rules are not hard. I like God's rules. It gives me a road map on how I should live my life. It gives me parameters and helps me make wise choices (most of the time- I am human and mess up quite a bit - but always come back around)

Answer 8

We don't know the actual chances that God exists. Since we don't know the real probabilities we are probably OK to accept either answer.

So neither is the bigger gamble. They are the same.

Answer 9

I don't think believing should ever be a gamble. I think you shouldn't believe if you don't. There isn't anything wrong with it.
I do agree that if there is a God(s) then They won't care either. Vengeance is a human emotion. The Gods are above that.

Answer 10

makes you think how sad this world has come. for years and years people believe what they wanted, every culture has a differant religon, make you wonder who is wrong who is right. If you think your wasting your time with God. that is you you will have to answer for that. if he really does, exist in your eyes. Me i love my Lord! He has provided for me and has blessed me with so many non materialistic items. I have a Wonderful healthy child, and a wonderful healthy husband, I thank him everyday for them. even if others think i am crazy for thanking air, to me he is not air, i will die in my heart of hearts knowing i died loving and worshipping our Lord Jesus Christ! you can't just believe in God, the Devil believes in God, you must know him in your heart and know he dies FOR U! all i can say from here is follow your heart. If you Choose God, i can gaurentee it won't be a waste. Doing good just feels right!! try it! and God Bless you and your path in life!

Answer 11

ChrisR - Going by your logic that God = Love...then it'd stand to reason that atheists are incapable of love because atheists don't believe in God.

How many married atheists couples are there in the US alone? Care to take a guess???