Have a drink on me?

Question

I must be living under a rock or something because I have no idea what "Pascal's Wager" is, although I do know that it is considered one of the most often repeated and trite subjects of discussion on this website.

It seems like Christians like to use it to attack atheists, but Pascal was a big proponent of the scientific method, a concept for which a lot of Christians don't hold much respect. So I hate to bring it up once again but could you kindly explain the basic premise of the argument? Thanks.

Answer 1

Pascal's Wager simply states this:

"I'd rather take my chances and believe in God, and go to heaven, than not and be sent to hell, that way, I have nothing to lose."

It has many holes in it, like thinking God is extremely gullible

Answer 2

S'ok.. I think a lot of people have been educated to Blaise Pascal and his wager through the overuse of that question.
It simply states to the atheist, "What if you're wrong? What do you have to lose by believing versus what do you have to gain by not?" it's extremely flawed in that it only takes believing in the christian god and atheism into account (just for starters).

Thanks for the drink!

Answer 3

Jesus went to Jacobs well years ago and ask the Woman at the well to give him a drink. She questioned Jesus because he was a Jew and wondered why he requested a drink from her. Jesus then declared to the woman if you really knew who you were talking to you would be the one asking me for a drink. Furthermore, I would have given you living water. The kind of water where you'll never thirst again. She then said I want that water so that I will never have to be thirsty again.

Only Christ can fill our thirsty hearts with knowlege and prepare us for everlasting life. An eternal water well that well never run dry. Have faith in God dear friend. John 3:16.

Answer 4

Yeah, I was scratching my head for awhile trying to figure out what the Pascal's wager business was when I first got here.... Southpaw explained it, so I will just thank you for the drink.... :)
Cheers!

Answer 5

pascals wager is the argument.

if god exists and you believe you gain everything
if god exists and you dont believe you lose everything

if god doesnt exist and you believe you gain nothing and lose nothing
if god doesnt exist and you dont believe you gain nothing and lose nothing.

(trying to point out that the most logical route to go is to believe)

this argument is negated when you bring in more than just atheism and christianity, (such as any of the other thousands of religions and beliefs about afterlife).

Answer 6

Here it is
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal's_Wager

Read it for yourself.
If you don't see the obvious flaws in the logic, at the end there is a link to why it is so lame.

Answer 7

This version of the wager makes much more sense.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Avu8gqY3I3.4vD5fQ5kvK.U8.Bd.?qid=20070617091946AA9oZG4

*Drinks*

Answer 8

i see you have the answer already, so i'll just take a drink, thanks!

**sips some wonderful homemade mead in celebration of the summer solstice**

Answer 9

First, I have never used it on anyone . . .I don't think scare tactics is what should be used to show God's love.

It is pretty much. . ."What if". . .what if there is a God when you die. . .so why not go ahead and believe in him just in case.. . .that's my take on it.

Answer 10

And I thought you were going to buy me a drink.

Bait and Switch?

Peace!