There may be a god or there may not be a god. If there is a god then the odds are thousands to one against you picking the right one or ones (polytheism has not been ruled out).
Therefore, your safest bet is to live a good life. Be good, kind, generous, helpful, hardworking, and charitable. Be a good friend, family member, parent, employee and citizen. Leave a positive legacy when you die. Be Happy!
Then, if there is a god you can hope that he/she/it will respect good actions and good character and not be hung up on blind faith worship.
If there is no god then you still lived a good life.
2007-09-19 11:21:58 · 17 answers · asked by Alan 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
To Sisterzeal - it is not that I am afraid of servering god. The point is that we do not know that there is a god or which god is the right one. If the Jews of the Hindus or the Jains are right then you are praying to a non-existent being.
My real point is that the only rational thing to do is to lead a good life. If you don't know what that is then buy some books. At the end you can just do the best you can.
2007-09-19 11:35:48 · update #1
Yep. I put it this way:
Live as if there are no gods, enjoy life, and be a decent person. If there is indeed a just god, you will be rewarded. If there are no gods, you had a worthwhile life and that's the end of it. If there is an unjust god, then you're probably screwed anyway, whatever you do.
2007-09-19 11:28:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Rats! You've been plaigarizing my holy scriptures!
I've always found it curious that some people found it safer to profess their beliefs than to risk being caught apparently doing something that might be construed as attempting to "earn" their way into heaven. I always imagine "God" as being a little more logical and self-confident.
I could be wrong, but I'm going to do good anyway. And if the Bible-thumpers are exactly right, well, I know I wouldn't enjoy being around that kind of god anyway. The only thing I can be sure of it this: When I die, I'm going to smell.
2007-09-19 11:41:05 · answer #2 · answered by skepsis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To bolster your point (which is a fine one), the one dictate that common to pretty much every religion is the Golden Rule.
In other words, the best way to cash in on the bet is to minimize harm, be a good person, and follow the Golden Rule common to almost every faith.
Like most secular humanists and atheists do.
2007-09-19 11:32:31 · answer #3 · answered by QED 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
actual no. there is not any faith that rejects Christianity. in accordance to the different faith, if a man or woman lives as a Christian no longer something undesirable is going to alter into of him. And if after residing a life-time of piety there is not any afterlife i'm going to be lifeless and not in any respect are conscious of it. that's Pascal's guess. in case you behave your self and God exists he will reward your good habit. in case you behave your self and there is not any god you will on no account are conscious of it.
2016-11-05 21:40:06 · answer #4 · answered by homrich 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
atheist's wager eh?
the problem with that is, the Christian God requires faith. No faith, nothing else matters.
the thousands of other gods don't require faith, they require some works and to pay tribute when you ask them a favor(but i haven't studied each of these gods)
arrgh!
lost.eu/21618
2007-09-19 11:28:48 · answer #5 · answered by Quailman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just hope to god there is no god even if he is benevolent. A god with a tally card that is watching me every second freaks me out and I don't want one to exist.
2007-09-19 11:28:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The only guaranteed afterlife we have is in other people's memories.
Those of us who live as you've suggested will be remembered with love and respect. That's good enough for me.
2007-09-19 11:33:49 · answer #7 · answered by The angels have the phone box. 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get a big wheel with all the religions on it. That way it's up to the correct deity to stop the wheel on the spot, or its not your fault for choosing wrong..
2007-09-19 11:30:26 · answer #8 · answered by novangelis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yep.
Makes a LOT more sense than trying to figure out which (if any) is the "real" god and not offending that one.
2007-09-19 11:29:33 · answer #9 · answered by t_rex_is_mad 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
And what are the odds that even if there is a god(s), there is an afterlife? I'd say that's even smaller. And even smaller yet if it is to be divided.
2007-09-19 11:36:03 · answer #10 · answered by khard 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋