How is it that so many use this without ever putting themselves in the other persons shoes? Can they stop for a second and say "What if a Pagan were to present me with this?"
Ok, NOW I'm ready for the game.
2007-09-15 09:15:21 · 10 answers · asked by River 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
meshugga - I'm sorry. *Hangs head* I'll go sit in the corner now.
2007-09-15 09:25:20 · update #1
Andrew - I've never used Pascal's Wager and I'm Pagan. I don't think I've ever seen anyone else other than a handful of Christians use it. I can usually get along with most anyone so long as they don't treat others as less than human. ^_^
2007-09-15 09:33:39 · update #2
you are asking them to "think"! how dare you!
2007-09-15 09:20:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Well, if you're saying that Pascal's Wager isn't a valid argument for a particular set of religious beliefs (e.g., Christianity) then I'm with you...however, I do think it is a totally valid argument for rejecting atheism under rational decision theory.
Yep, a pagan could use the argument as easily as a christian or a hindu or a muslim or any other group and it would work nearly as well for all of them. As such, I think any of those groups can logically object to the wager as a reason to choose their particular beliefs.
However, I don't believe atheists can make the same logical objection since their belief is rejected by the argument no matter what relgion applies it. If a person chooses to believe that death is the end, that nothing lies beyond it, AND that person is right, what did they gain from that belief? ...and if that person is wrong, he or she will pay whatever consequence the god they rejected set up in advance. A rational man will choose his survival above all else...in the absence of proof (that nothing on earth can provide), how is it rational to choose to accept that death is the end instead of choosing to believe that something (anything) could possibly allow us to continue living after our bodies die?
Pascal's wager as an argument for christianity, questionable...as an argument against atheism, perfectly valid application of decision theory!
2007-09-15 16:45:26 · answer #2 · answered by KAL 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Pascal's wager is inherently flawed. Faith is necessarily rooted in genuine belief and a need to commune with God/Creator. Rather than openly accepting that God exists and letting him fill your heart, Pascal ventures that acting like you believe in God is the safest bet, and gets your ticket punched. There is no sincerity to it and it is intrisically selfish.
Essentially Pascal's wager makes for a lot of phony salvation and spiritual deadness.
2007-09-16 09:07:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
KAL - have you considered that there is a god that perhaps rewards for living your life to the fullest and doesn't actually care if we believe in him, thus some atheists would go to heaven?
Or perhaps god only sends those who don't believe in him to heaven? Then only atheists and some others would be rewarded after death for none of their actions would be affected by their trying to be rewarded, they only were good people because they truly believe that they should be good people.
And thus, in any case, pascal's wager fails. As for the original question, yes, people should consider it for all religious choices and all possibilities.
2007-09-15 18:56:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its the christians that usa pascals wager on the atheists and the atheists no that the pagans will never use it on them because the atheists get on with the pagans
2007-09-15 16:29:17 · answer #5 · answered by andrew w 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pascal is so old
I prefer Java's Wager
2007-09-15 16:21:41 · answer #6 · answered by FORMER Atheist Now Praising FSM! 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
pascal's wager isnt even worth arguing over. the point is moot. if you come across anyone that actually tries to argue this point, just shake your head and walk away. they are beyond hope.
2007-09-15 16:19:47 · answer #7 · answered by Sheriff of R&S 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Pascal lost his bet. He died anyway and is probably in some form of hell and there is STILL no god to save his sorry butt.
2007-09-15 16:19:14 · answer #8 · answered by BAL 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
lol ross haha delphi would be somehwere in the middle?
2007-09-15 16:29:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they don't understand logic.
2007-09-15 16:18:33 · answer #10 · answered by mattgo64 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋