In other words, how many of you believe because there's nothing to lose by believing?
2007-08-29 05:53:44 · 16 answers · asked by Linz ♥ VT 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Pascal's wager is the worst bet imaginable. The odds are virtually nil. It's like betting on a number that doesn't even appear on the roulette wheel... the pit boss just tells you that you have to have faith the number is actually there and if you have enough faith, it's guaranteed to come up.
And what do you lose by believing? How about all the time you spend sitting in church listening to a preacher reciting myths? How about all the knowledge and experiences you deny yourself by devoting yourself to the arbitrary rules of a fictional god? How about all the money you tithe to the church in a lifetime? How about your dignity and self-respect you lose by embracing the absurd idea of "original sin"?
Sounds to me like a whole lot to lose on an impossible bet.
2007-08-29 06:04:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a Christian, I would say Pascal's Wager basically cancels itself out. The purpose of believing is having the faith in God that He is real and He did send Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. If you don't have the faith that He is real, your beliefs are false/moot, so what's the point. Either believe and have faith, or don't believe. God doesn't want someone who believes "just in case" he is real.
Rev. 3:15-16 -- I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
2007-08-29 06:07:16 · answer #2 · answered by kaz716 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but on the other hand there is nothing to "win" by believing in some kind of a demanding, controlling, tyrant deity. Any god that petty and judgmental is no friend of humanity. Which appears to be the case. I do believe that it is important to be kind to others, and that I'm part of the universe.The rest is a mystery to me, and that's fine.
2007-08-29 06:03:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think its good. Your normal average person has nothing to lose by believing in a God, and I wont go into whether or not religion is true- but if i assume here that its not the person can only have more self confidence and live a more wholeful purposeful life.
In some circumstances eg on the frontiers of science adhering to religion can intervene progress, belief in God does not if you have the right intentions. Nothing to lose- no, Less to lose then by not believing - Yes
2007-08-29 06:00:15 · answer #4 · answered by pinstripe_butterfly 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Pascal's Wager...bah! Wouldn't an all-knowing god be aware that you are just hedging bets? What if it turned out that Zeus was the true god? Then your wager is useless.
2007-08-29 06:07:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, when I was in Sunday school at a very young age, it was as simple as that. Why? Go to heaven. Why not? Possibly miss out on heaven. Today, having grown in the Word, I realize that it was the Holy Spirit that revealled this to me and not my own mind or flesh and blood.
2007-08-29 06:02:11 · answer #6 · answered by wassupmang 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Although they will not admit it, by the things they say, they appear to be spiritual gamblers.
PS -- There is much to lose from believing in falsehoods.
2007-08-29 05:57:46 · answer #7 · answered by JWill 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I must admit I've been tempted by the rationale in the past...but have not yet succumbed.
2007-08-29 05:58:58 · answer #8 · answered by Le BigMac 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God will see through you all like a piece of paper with grease on it, there is no point lying
2007-08-29 06:14:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Nothing to lose except self responsibility, logic and intellectual honesty.
2007-08-29 05:58:47 · answer #10 · answered by aka DarthDad 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋