Pascals Wager

[SomeGuy]

Im already a Christian...but have any of you atheist on here though about Pascals Wager?

SomeGuy Reviewed by SomeGuy on 01-16-2006. Pascals Wager Im already a Christian...but have any of you atheist on here though about Pascals Wager? Rating: 5

[ADaisyChain]

It might get some border-liners. Most of the people who deny god deny heaven and the afterlife, so using the 'possible benefits' that atheists already deny.. well you get the picture.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal%27s_Flaw

[F L E S H]

Im already a Christian...but have any of you atheist on here though about Pascals Wager?

Yeah, it would take more than that to convince modern-day atheists such as myself. One thing's for sure, I'm not scared of going to Hell and I'm not striving to go to Heaven because THEY DO NOT EXIST. I love how in that section Pascal writes, "Reason can decide nothing here." That's the flaw. It has everything to do with reason, because people who use simple reasoning without prior suppositions concerning what they "know" about God will inevitably conclude that God is a fairy-tale.

[SomeGuy]

I guess what works for you works. I belive some people use Pascals Wager as reasoning if they are borderline Christian/Atheist and take their reasoning from that point on. As a christian I have though about it, but have also looked at more of the other proofs of God and have weighed them against proofs of No God. Science is missing several key proofs, and God is missing a few to...I just chose the one that I have spiritually been led to my life. Yes I believe thare is a higher spiritual being...though I have doubts as to whetether the whole bible is %100 true...

I get distracted way to easily...asked about Pascals Wager....then somehow got around to explaining my own spirituality...

Later Peace

[Polymirize]

I think the better question is what do you think as a christian about christians who chose their faith from the cost/benefits style reasoning of Pascal's wager?

Do they make good people of faith?

Better safe than sorry?
Ah, it's better to live dangerously...

[RichieRich]

Saw this on an old thread and thought I would try to bring it back to life:

When discussing Godâ??s existence, the name Pascal immediately comes to mind. But can you remember what was meant by...â?�Pascalâ??s wager?â?�

Pascal lived from 1623-1662. He was renowned as a French mathematician, physicist, philosopher, and theologian. Anyone who has taken a high school or college geometry class has no doubt heard of Pascal and his mathematical studies.

In the area of religion, Pascal is best known for his â??wager.â?� Pascal, a Christian believer and apologist, argued that while Godâ??s existence cannot be known with rational certainty, it is nevertheless prudent to believe in God. In his book Pensées, Pascal argued that either God exists or he does not exist. However, our present life, and possibly our future destiny, rests upon the alternative that we choose. Pascal reasoned that by believing in God (Christian theism), you have everything to win (in fact, you have eternal life to win) and nothing to lose. However, by not believing, you have nothing to win and everything to lose (in fact, you could lose your eternal soul). He therefore reasoned that if you consider whatâ??s at stake, your best (or safer) wager is to believe in God. To wit â?? â??Pascalâ??s wager.â?�

What shall we make of Pascalâ??s wager? It certainly is not a proof of Godâ??s existence in the traditional sense. But it does appeal to our practical, common sense approach to decision making. Without doubt, unbelievers are taking an enormous risk.

It should also be noted that the evidence for Godâ??s existence, if examined with a truly open mind, is extremely compelling. In fact, let me say that anyone looking at the evidence without bias would conclude that a belief in God is the only rational alternative. If you are seeking for God â?? He can be found! He has made Himself known by the light of Creation (Rom. 1), the light of conscience (Rom. 2), and the light of Christ (John 1). Remember what God says: â??I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find meâ?� (Prov. 8:17).


Disclaimer here: Peace....:jointsmile:

[JunkYard]

I don't know that belief in God is a choice, Richie. Many people claim that they just cannot believe, and I tend to agree, as I cannot "not" believe. I'll tell you what, try not believing in God for a week, and see how you fair. This might clue you in on why some people have no beliefs, they simply cannot believe, man.

Although Pacals Wager seems to be logical, one must consider the reality of actually being able to make such a choice to begin with.. . ..


Junk~

[iPot]

I don't know about atheism. What's so bad about beleiving in something? Life is wonderful and complex, it is what we don't know about things that makes everything else that we do more exciting.

[delusionsofNORMALity]

faith based on such reasoning as pascal's wager is false faith. it is belief based on fear, the fear of the consequences should logic prove false. if we atheists are incorrect and a god will judge us, would a man whose faith was based on personal gain fare any better than a good man who denied god's existence based on observation and his god given sense.

the other side of the coin is the atheist's wager, equally unworkable given the human predilection for self-delusion.

[Polymirize]

trust the christians to think that there's nothing to be gained by not believing in god...