Should Christians use Pascal's Wager to defend their faith?
435862
Only if they want to be ridiculed.\n\nThe religious person says "If I'm wrong, I have nothing to lose.  If you're wrong, you'll burn in hell" (or some such nonsense).  Sadly for that person, this is wrong.  If you believe in the Christian god, and it's actually the Muslim god who exists, you're going to burn in hell for all eternity - the Quran says so.  If you believe in the Christian god and he's an evil sadist rather than a benevolent god (a reasonable assumption, considering the incalculable suffering that he - supposedly - presides over in the world), then he will take great delight in sending the most fervent believers to eternal torture and keeping us atheists in paradise, just to make your torment that much the worse.  If there is a god and he values reason over blind faith, he will reward atheists and punish believers (since they have no justifiable reason to believe that any gods exist).  \n\nAny genuinely religious person would spend their lives eternally tormented by the possibility of believing in the wrong god and ending up in some other hell, or offending the Christian god and ending up in his.  If you don't feel this way, then you can't be a genuine believer.\n\nAtheists, of course, have no such worries, since we know that when we die, we cease to exist.  You spend your life sweating over the prospect of burning in hell, and we'll live comfortable lives without fear of what might happen in the next life, because we know there is no such thing.
21246
Remember that there will always be people or messages that will challenge your beliefs.  If you believe God and in his only Son Jesus Christ in your heart, then nothing or no one can change that.  Don't let them doubt yourself, or even make you angry.  Try to show them how what you believe has affected you, but don't get in a fight.  Most of all, don't let anyone make you doubt your faith.
776698
Pascal's wager is indeed tired and old.  Yes, we're sick of it.  What is particularly sad, is that people still buy the idea that they are better "safe than sorry."  I feel sorry for those who subscribe to belief in this way, and I've sure seen alot of them in Y!As.  They waste their lives, money and energy.
236108
It's all in how you look at it! \n\nBut my guess is NO! There is no risk in believing that there is a GOD. In fact that is what Heavenly Father wants,  for people to have faith and be good all in his name without having a sure knowledge of his existance.\n\nI would say the risk is more in not having faith, you're taking a chance on you're eternal salvation. It's a fifty fifty chance actually and those are pretty good odds when you think about it. Gee what would I choose, well if I were a gambling woman I would pick faith! Oh I would pick it anyway. Seems like the best choice.
70180
That's the million dollar question isn't it.  In my experience, the people who don't have logical issues with their beliefs are believing in certain abstract aspects of the religion.  if you take any given part literally, your beliefs will come under attack all the time, because of different interpretations of that aspect.
658584
Let me applaud you for your open mindedness.  Many people would just blindly refuse everything religous or totally ignore it while you are prepared to adopt practices you consider benifitial even if you don't believe in the religion.\n\nAnyhow, the problem with Pascal's Wager is one of motivation.  Is it not better to do what is considered right not because you are looking for your own benifit after death but out of care for others.  Some would say that the curse of damnation just scares people into not doing what is considered wrong.  This has happened in the past.  The threat of damnation or promise of heaven has also been taken advantage of by those who seek power.  It is also possible people may be so afraid of damnation they refuse to do any deeds in case they may be bad but in this way stop doing good deeds.
39631
Ask them where in the Bible it says, "God helps those who help themselves." Just remember that people want to argue and think that they can "bull" their way through sounding like an intellectual. It won't work with God, so they should just be honest with themselves.
534575
Back to the "leap of faith." \n\nPeople like you and I cannot accept that simply because the bible says something, that it must be true. However, there are billions of people who think otherwise.\n\nWe cannot accept this argument because it cannot be tested. They feel that they can accept it because reason has no place in matters of faith.\n\nThis is pretty much the whole issue in a nutshell.
1116262
Excellent point.\n\nMen never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction\nBlaise Pascal
266345
Funny that heh?  In fact, not content with having us "take his existence on faith", the church can (has/does) resort to threats of violence to help anyone having problems accepting this kind of horsesh!t using faith alone.\n\nHow's about burning in Hell for eternity?  I bet that has helped more than one undecided to make up his mind. \n\nSpanish Inquisition anybody?  Book me in for a 3 o'clock appointment please Torquemada.
597662
holy.........haha. well, at least you believe greatly in your disbelief.......you a lawyer? or should be one anyways. so if you were, would you put someone on the stand and ask them to swear on the bible? hmmmm.....i believe in god. cept i call him creator. i believe there is a spirit world.......were we all evolved from. but, i ain't going on and on about  that. i'm not trying to convince anyone of anything. but.....i just thought there was so much effort put into your question.........a great belief in presenting your disblief
922360
Yes - before Jesus' return the Bible warns that many "Christians" will lose their faith. But also notice that the anti-christ will deceive many, its going to get worse.\n\nOnly those who persevere to the very end receive the reward. Bless you brother
990552
Well put. I often get trapped into snide comments.\n\nI need to defend the faith, but in a loving way. Thank you.
1094796
I am not a Christian, but I'm willing to lay odds most people would not change their beliefs. Faith is a powerful tool, and if its strong enough, not even irrefutable proof will bend it. There have been many such discoveries lately, lending credence to the fact Jesus was human, had children, etc. About 80% of the world's biblical scholars agree that Talmudic law would have demanded Jesus as a prophet to have a job and a wife. I doubt he would have been married and remained a virgin his whole life lol. Yet even in light of these facts, many christians remain steadfast in their religion. And so what if they do? When they die, they'll know the truth, just like the rest of us.
49676
I think in a way u are using the same argument as Pascal. He said the same thing - there are better consequences for believing in a God. But u know what, there are other factors that have to be taken into account. For instance, how do u know WHICH God to believe in? U just believe in Christianity, u don't know if it's true. So what happens when u kick the bucket and u find out that u've been praying to the wrong God? There are many more questions like these that need careful consideration before u just enter the bandwagon of praying to a God.\n\nTo Giggly:\nWell, that's a totally screwed up way of looking at it, but i would say yes. (And I love South Park, lol). This website should give u some of the problems of the Pascal Wager, whioch the asker is talking about:\nhttp://atheism.about.com/od/argumentsforgod/a/pascalswager.htm
242995
My 'church' isn't mine, it's Jesus'!  If God told me to write a book about my faith and beliefs, He would be telling me to re-write the Bible, which it is not likely that He would do.\n\nSeparating doctrines of faith from opinions is easy:  do like the Bereans - test ALL things against scripture, hold fast to that which is true, discard the rest!!
1080108
Even though I admire your efforts, the way you have asked the question, will only make the christians feel insulted and become defensive. Only a very openminded one would read your post and seriously think about what you are saying. Good points, though.