If God does not exist, one can lose nothing by believing in him. If God does exist however, one can lose everything by not believing in him.
-Blaise Pascal, French Mathematician and Philosopher
2007-06-25 18:43:17 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
That's why atheists or those who don't believe in One God are little bit scary.
2007-06-25 19:08:03 · answer #1 · answered by Ismail Eliat 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
(Bell rings, dogs salivate)
I love that quote. Blaise Pascal was a genius. That and the fact that its always hysterical the way atheists will come out of the woodworks to answer a question that's been answered a million times (you're guaranteed at least 30-40 hits on that one) and claim it's the asker that's being the rookie. So if it's been asked 86,496,274,693 times, how many answers does that make? Now that's funny.
LOL.
2007-06-25 19:34:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think I'm tired of hearing Pascal's Wager.
There are a lot of holes in that theory.
First off, which God? There's an awful lot of them, and most of them mutually exclude all other gods. The odds of picking the right "god" are slim, at best.
Secondly, any "god" would see right through that. They would know that you were only reshipping them because you were hedging your bets, and not out of true love or devotion.
Thirdly, one can lose something by believing in God. You lose your ability to make your own decisions, on some levels. You have to obey rules that are archaic, and sometimes don't make a bit of sense. Is that how you want to spend what could potentially be your only chance at living?
2007-06-25 18:49:09 · answer #3 · answered by rita_alabama 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The real flaw is that Pascal's Wager fails to recognize that this thought would have to apply to every god out there. This would mean that to be safe, one must believe in every god and worship each god in accordance with the traditions of each particular deity. It is impossible to worship every god since there are some about which you will never hear. It is a fool's form of logic - poorly formed, impossible to follow, and a failure of an argument.
2007-06-25 18:54:27 · answer #4 · answered by seattlefan74 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pascal's Wager is ridiculous. It claims to be based on mathematical and scientific priciples. However, a true mathematical formula is based on 'givens' and proven equations, portions and numbers... theories or spiritual beliefs that have no mathematical or scientific.
Heaven and Hell are BELIEFS...matters of FAITH. They can not be summed up as a probability or law of science.
Any mathematical equation based on the asumption of something like this, in order to arrive at an 'answer' is hopelessly flawed.
It is a foolish theory, even from a the perspective of any intelligent Christian.
Edit: Burbon and Coke please!
2007-06-25 18:56:18 · answer #5 · answered by . 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm starting to learn one thing from this site more than anything else. People waste too much of their debating with the people least likely to agree with them on something when there are thousands of children in Africa who just want a freaking hamburger every now and then. sorry, I mean millions. And half of them probably don't know what food is, let alone a hamburger. and here I stand just as guilty as all of you. I'm such a piece of crap.
I'm giving it all up. I 'm throwing my stuff away and going to Africa. People who need help don't want it, so why waste your time in America. I've always wanted to see the Pyramids anyways.
This is to you atheists, you have gotten rid of one more Christian from this country and sent him oversees.
I'm pretty sure that missionary work is a huge conspiracy between starving Africans and Atheists to get rid of Christians.
Hey, I'll buy it. As long as i can get away from you americans.
Peace brothas, I'm out
yes, another 2 points
2007-06-25 18:56:16 · answer #6 · answered by tatereatinmic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honest answer, and totally correct from those who view life as a series of statistics. Not everything can be accepted through logic, however, and we cannot ignore feelings. I think the guy was a believer, and wanted to state his own feelings in a factual, worldly sense, so people would think about it without dismissing it as religious nonsense. Sort of like intelligent design which I don't believe in by the way.
2007-06-25 18:51:00 · answer #7 · answered by Legend 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The question is which god. There is just as much proof to support the worship of Set or Odin as there is any other god.
That is one of the flaws of Pascal's wager.
2007-06-25 18:50:06 · answer #8 · answered by thewolfskoll 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think I am tired of Pascal's Wager...
I apologize to all my drinking buddies I just can't drink anymore today my eyeballs are floating and I am going to have nightmares of Niagara Falls..
2007-06-25 18:50:01 · answer #9 · answered by Diane (PFLAG) 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why must I believe in a God again? God will hurt me if I don't?
2007-06-25 18:49:14 · answer #10 · answered by JimBob from 'Bama 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋