Do You Give In To Pascal's Wager?

Pascal’s wager is laughably stupid to anyone who is not already a believer. It’s purpose is to seal one of the escape hatches from the mind control cults, and trap believers within.

It has no effect on nonbelievers.

I know he exisist b/c he saved me and made me new,

You mean, you BELIEVE he exists.

I know where im going

You mean, you BELIEVE in heaven, and hope to go there some day.

If there is no God, then when a believer dies, they lose nothing. But if there is a God, and you do not believe, you spend eternity in hell.

This wager is flawed, because it doesn’t factor in the OTHER gods, that are just as likely/unlikely to exist (often with their own consequences for non-belief).

I know where im going

So do I- a crematorium. Then my ashes will be scattered to help plants grow. I don’t desire any sort of afterlife, this is enough of an ending for me.

I believe in God because when I asked Jesus Christ to forgive me of my sins and come into my heart - HE DID !! - I became a new person, Amen !! - I accepted, didn’t reject Him - He knocks on the door of our heart only so many times, then will stop - He says there comes a time when mans (a persons) ‘waxes cold’ - I’m thankful I’m not one, I know I’m richly blessed. so I’m ready and I hope you are too.

Belief in a divine plan of salvation is little more than an insurance policy against the perceived risk of spending eternity in hell.

As for Pascal’s Wager, it’s an old, tired argument. Others have already pointed out one of its biggest flaws, that being that there is more than one type of theism and there is no way to ensure the correct god is being worshiped. Beyond that, even if you do guess the correct god, the wager fails to even guarantee that you are meeting that god’s criteria for salvation and a place in heaven.

Nope. Pascal’s wager is, if you’ll excuse the expression, a sucker’s bet. It doesn’t allow for the possibility that the real god is a different one than the one you believe in, and that this god punishes worshipping the wrong one. If I subscribed to Pascal’s premise, I’d remain an atheist, as I think it’s got the best chances of not pissing any particular god off, especially if it’s a rational creature.

From what I’ve seen, Pascal’s wager is mostly a hedge that those who struggle with rational justifications for their pre-existing belief use.

I think it’s better to give in to Occam’s razor personally: That’s the idea that the simplest explanation is usually the correct one.

In my head, the simplest explanation leads me to the conclusion that there is no God, and until I get solid, undeniable evidence, that’s going to be my understanding. To be honest, I’d rather stand up for my beliefs, and take the chance that I will be condemned to an eternity of fire and brimstone. Pain and death are both a part of life. We’re all going to feel pain at some point, and we’re all going to die. In my mind, what’s to fear?

im a christian, but im not going to talk about “faith” and “knowing” that God exists, even though I believe that He indeed does, and all those things that atheists do not relate to.

I would admit that I give in to “pascals wager.” however, in the first place you need to believe in the christian faith in order to really consider this wager IMO, since you would be more likely to believe in hell IMO. however, a guy thats born atheist would hardly bother about this wager IMO since he doesnt give a hell about hell (-.-)

on a side note:

“I know he exisist b/c he saved me and made me new,

You mean, you BELIEVE he exists.

I know where im going

You mean, you BELIEVE in heaven, and hope to go there some day.”

EXCELLENT captainassassin. this the problem I find with my fellow christians these days. they need to be more aware and tolerant of the beliefs of non-christians. even though I DO BELIEVE in God’s existence

first I dont p[retend to believe in anything, I believe what I believe, there is only ONE God, and that is God himself, there is so called gods but they are nothing compared to God and Christ, I know he exisist b/c he saved me and made me new, he mends my broken heart and gives me peace when im troubled bout something, I wake up every morning and blesses me everyday, he has healed people and brought people from their lowest point to their highest point, I dont give in to “pascal’s wager” or whoever, I am a child of God, im not afraid of death, why should I be, I have God on my side and I know where im going, death isn going to change my belief and my love for God, I dont believe in him b/c it makes me feel good, I believe in him, b/c of what he has brought me from and b/c he is always wit me through whatever and he has NEVER let me down!!! I thank you God for that!!

No, because like you said if there was an all-knowing God, well God would know if you were just saying you believed… You cant force yourself to believe…

As for casting away belief, I’m not terribly afraid of death, but how do you cast away a belief… holding a gun to my head is not more likely to make me believe or disbelieve, would I say whatever I needed to secure my life, yes… what difference does it make to me what other people think of my beliefs? It’s just words…