Do you think Jesus will commend you for quoting Pascal's Wager?

Question

Picture yourself standing before the God of the universe:
He asks why you didn't believe the 20 witnesses that Jesus is real that were sent to you in your life time and asks why you didn't even take the chance and pray to him.......and you say well that's Pascal's wager........do you think he'd be impressed with that sor of wisdom? or not? and why?

Answer 1

But I don't, except in responses to denigrate it.

St Paul and I agree on this, though we don't agree on much.
(1Cor 15:19)

So while, if I do find myself standing before Jesus, I'll know I've made a very big mistake in my theological beliefs, I won't be due extra ridicule for promoting that particular piece of badly flawed logic.

(PS I have believed, and prayed, and fasted, but I'm now an atheist)

Answer 2

Just because 20 people make a claim does not mean that claim is true, especially if the basis of their claim ultimately amounts to "because I say so, you just have to have faith!". I'm not at all interested in citing the idiocy known as Pascal's Wager to any being I find myself in front of after my death. Especially given that I don't see many atheists bringing it up as a reason for disbelief, but I sure see quite a lot of believers (of ANY faith, given that Pascal's Wager is not exclusively christian) bringing it up as a basis for why I should believe in their particular god.

If anything, should I find myself in front of a god, I plan on telling that being that it created me with a mind, and the abilities of logic and reason, and I used them to the best of my ability to determine its existence and wishes for me. I do all I can to live a good life without the shackles of religion and dogma and the delusion of faith, and if that's not good enough for this being, then it's an insane tyrant and I can't imagine wanting to spend an eternity with it anyway. I'd probably be better off spending the rest of forever apart from something so sick and twisted.

Isn't the christian god supposed to be all-loving and all-forgiving, anyway? Where do its believers get the idea that a sincere apology while standing before judgment would be "too late"? If I'm wrong I'm wrong, and I'm not at all afraid to admit as such - what are the christians so afraid of, then?

Answer 3

If you're picturing yourself standing before God you don't need Pascal's wager. You're already assuming god is real, so you don't need to rely on the wager to help you decide!

But seriously though, with Pascal's wager you need to remember that there are several flaws in his argument. Trying to will yourself to believe in God undermines the significance of revelation. I think if on your deathbed, after a life of believing in God because it is the most "prudent" option in Pascal's Wager, you haven't experienced revelation and you've only believed in God to cover your back, then your probably not gonna go down too well with the big guy. I mean theists genuinely believe in God, that's why they believe they will go to heaven. If God is real and your believe isn't genuine, which it probably won't be if you choose to believe in God because of Pascals Wager, then you're going to go to hell.

Think about it this way. Some dude is presented with Pascal's Wager, and he thinks "I better start believing in God and all that Bible/Torah/Koran/Insertholybookhere stuff". Over time his believe may become genuine. Not because of the Wager, but through some sort of revelatory experience.

From all the christians, muslims, hindus, sikhs I have met, all who were aware of the Wager before they became theists say that it had little affect on their decision, and that they just kinda knew god existed, whether it was through revelation or not.

I don't think quoting Pascal's wager to God would go down to well. Although who knows, it's almost worth doing just to see what would happen.

Answer 4

I haven't got the time or interest to personally pray to 8000+ 'gods' to make sure I get the right one.

There is too much overwhelming evidence that they are all primitive man-made mythologies and delusional, sorry to disappoint you. I find the concept of a personal, anthropically biased 'god' to be quite abhorrent , not to mention superstitious, egotisitical and ultimately vain.

I prefer to judge a religion by it's followers and effects on the world. And they are found largely wanting.

I make no 'wager'. Just as you make no 'wager' by choosing not to believe in the teapot God, or the ancient Gods of the Celts or the Romans, or the Mayans etc.

I am living my life honestly, hence I do not 'believe', neither do I follow a religion. My search for truth hasn't pointed me to follow the words of prophets, UFO's, lizard-beings, astrology, etc, and I remain honest to myself and others.

Answer 5

Drink! How approximately we upload it after the preliminary enormous hullaballoo, to work out how long human beings will save beating the ineffective horse. that's why we've the Pascal's guess pastime, inspite of each little thing.

Answer 6

Anybody realize that there are really 3 wagers made by Pascal?

Answer 7

I'm going to have a long serious chat with Jesus again one day, but not until decides he has something to say to me. He has been so quite these last few years.

Answer 8

I think He is amused by all the fear that is associated with Him. He probably shakes His head at the thought that some people actually buy into that hell nonsense and give away their money.

Answer 9

I don't get why you think he'd be asking anyone any questions in the first place.

Isn't he all knowing?

Answer 10

Yes, because he's too dumb to have thought of it himself.

(sorry, but ridiculous questions get ridiculous answers)