Why do Christians use Pascal's Wager so much?

Question

I mean, it's not that great of an argument, and easy to refute. So why is it used so often?

Answer 1

I'm all for boycotting it...Its telling people to pretend to believe, or follow Jesus just for the heck of it. Belief should be whole heartily, not for "just in case."

Answer 2

Pascal's Wager is a 19th century apologetic that was used when in debate withearly existentila ism. The idea being that since we can't be 100% sure of the exitence of God it is best to put your "money" on the one that may have the longest positive effect. It is something like the old story of the atheist visiting a monastery. He runs into a monk and Laughs at him for wasting his life on something he can't prove. After a few moments the Monk answers " yes if I am wrong I have wasted my life,but lived a good life. But if I am right you have wasted eternity" The reason you believe it is easy refute is the argument was in answer to a certain philosophy which you are not a believer in. There are other Philosophical apologetics to deal with other philosophies ( if one knows which one is encountering) But some people only use the one just like there are the people who rather than debates the issue just uses sarcasm. No one learns no one gains and everyone is frustrated.

Answer 3

I don't think it's easy to refute when stated properly.

Two main attempts at refutation:
1) The "which god" attempt. The answer is the God who created you.

2) "What good is belief on the basis of hedging your bets" attempt. The answer is that belief doesn't mean blind acceptance. It means to hold as true in order to proceed. If you want to seek God, you have to hold as true (believe) that God exists. Pascal's wager gives reason to seek God.

If you think I'm wrong, you can email me.

Answer 4

Pascal's guess in simple terms works in case you assume Christianity is authentic. in any different case, there is not any God discern to guess against. From a nontheistic viewpoint, it somewhat is in simple terms too obscure a reasoning to contemplate. ok, I contend that it may be extra desirable to have faith in God than to not, yet which God do i choose for? back, Pascal's guess assumes the Christian God is genuine. faith is a mandatory situation for those arguments to artwork; arguments that attempt to instruct God's existance or necessity interior the 1st place! Behold, the atheist's counter-guess: stay your life nicely, and do all you may to help mankind. If God would not exist, a minimum of you used your one life nicely. If God does exist, he will reward your love and kindness. If God would not reward you considering which you probably did not have faith in him, this is not the type of God you will want to spend eternity with anyhow.

Answer 5

Theist here. I saw the implicit assumption in it the first time I read it, and have never used that argument. In fact, I don't argue about religion in general. I merely incinerate those who curse and hate those who choose to believe in God and lead lives by the example Christ set before them. Attack these people at your own peril.

Answer 6

They hate our livers. That and it's one of those arguments that sounds great, especially if you've accepted the premises as axiomatic, but folds under trivial scrutiny. I suspect that if "Pensees" had been published before Pascal's death, it would have been edited out.

Answer 7

A Christian should not,i would never.You have to Love God,no faking.

Answer 8

It is a beginners argument, when somehow people believe that conversion is above formation, when, rather, formation proceeds conversion. Thus, conversion through education and attraction.

Answer 9

Pascal's wager is a fools argument. Anyone who would maintain it is not capable of deep thought.

I think there's your answer.

Answer 10

I am christian,I would never say something so stupid,God knows your heart,there is no fooling Him.