14 Feb 15
Pascal's Wager Revisited
Pascal's Wager (The wager uses the following logic (excerpts from Pensées, part III, §233):
1. God is, or God is not. Reason cannot decide between the two alternatives.
2. A Game is being played... where heads or tails will turn up.
3. You must wager (it is not optional).
4. Let us weigh the gain and the loss in wagering that God is. Let us estimate these two chances. If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing.
5. Wager, then, without hesitation that He is. There is here an infinity of an infinitely happy life to gain, a chance of gain against a finite number of chances of loss, and what you stake is finite. And so our proposition is of infinite force, when there is the finite to stake in a game where there are equal risks of gain and of loss, and the infinite to gain.
6. But some cannot believe. They should then 'at least learn your inability to believe...' and 'Endeavour then to convince' themselves. -Blaise Pascal (1623 to 1662)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal's_Wager#The_wager
What if there is a Sovereign God responsible for creation of the universe as well as the creation of human life [beings with both a temporal body and an eternal soul] Who doesn't give a damn about reconciling fallen mankind unto Himself?
14 Feb 15
Originally posted by Grampy BobbyProblem is , the COST of believing in a god is not considered, which will affect the odds.
[b]Pascal's Wager Revisited
[quote]Pascal's Wager (The wager uses the following logic (excerpts from Pensées, part III, §233):
1. God is, or God is not. Reason cannot decide between the two alternatives.
2. A Game is being played... where heads or tails will turn up.
3. You must wager (it is not optional).
4. L ...[text shortened]... body and an eternal soul] Who doesn't give a damn about reconciling fallen mankind unto Himself?
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14 Feb 15
Originally posted by Grampy BobbyWhat if the god that actually exists hates Pascal's Wager and those that recommend "betting" on her existence?
[b]Pascal's Wager Revisited
[quote]Pascal's Wager (The wager uses the following logic (excerpts from Pensées, part III, §233):
1. God is, or God is not. Reason cannot decide between the two alternatives.
2. A Game is being played... where heads or tails will turn up.
3. You must wager (it is not optional).
4. L ...[text shortened]... body and an eternal soul] Who doesn't give a damn about reconciling fallen mankind unto Himself?
14 Feb 15
Originally posted by Grampy BobbyTo be on the safe side you have to worship every
What if there is a Sovereign God responsible for creation of the universe ...
god that has been, is or ever will be worshipped.
And even then you might get the wrong one.
And don't forget the FSM! Keep September 19th Holy!
Originally posted by OdBodThe cost? I see no "cost" in believing in God. Beyond the trivial or imagined, I mean.
Problem is , the COST of believing in a god is not considered, which will affect the odds.
If cost is your main consideration, then you should consider the actual, real cost of NOT believing in God. But that's not anywhere on your radar, is it?
14 Feb 15
Originally posted by Grampy BobbyWhat about revisting Occam's razor?
[b]Pascal's Wager Revisited
[quote]Pascal's Wager (The wager uses the following logic (excerpts from Pensées, part III, §233):
1. God is, or God is not. Reason cannot decide between the two alternatives.
2. A Game is being played... where heads or tails will turn up.
3. You must wager (it is not optional).
4. L ...[text shortened]... body and an eternal soul] Who doesn't give a damn about reconciling fallen mankind unto Himself?
The principle states that among competing hypotheses, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected. Other, more complicated solutions may ultimately prove correct, but—in the absence of certainty—the fewer assumptions that are made, the better.
In the scientific method, Occam's razor is not considered an irrefutable principle of logic or a scientific result; the preference for simplicity in the scientific method is based on the falsifiability criterion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam's_razor
In other words the simplest solution is the better and most likely the correct one.
Using this principle for determining the truth of the complicated Gap theory between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2 we would logically decide against the Gap theory in favor of the straight forward simple reading of scripture.
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Originally posted by JS357Pascal's Wager is a fool's wager.
What if the god that actually exists hates Pascal's Wager and those that recommend "betting" on her existence?
Believing in God is not a game to be played "just in case".
Actual, real belief and obedience is required.
Just "going through the motions" isn't going to fool God.
Originally posted by RJHindsA lot of atheists use Occam's Razor as a justification to not believe in God at all, so I'm not exactly sure what you're on about.
What about revisting Occam's razor?
[quote] The principle states that among competing hypotheses, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected. Other, more complicated solutions may ultimately prove correct, but—in the absence of certainty—the fewer assumptions that are made, the better.
In the scientific method, Occam's razor is not consider ...[text shortened]... decide against the Gap theory in favor of the straight forward simple reading of scripture.
😏
A Christian bringing it up to justify believing in the literal word of the Bible is kind of laughable. There is far more to the Word of God than just simple words. Occam's Razor is kind of an idiot's argument. It's the lazy way out.
Originally posted by SuzianneLoss of free will. Control by unelected religious leaders. Passing responsibility to supernatural beings. Promoting faith over logic. Endless religious wars . Intellectual and scientific limitation . NOT BEING PERMITTED TO QUESTION ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING.Social division based on religious identity.etc.
The cost? I see no "cost" in believing in God. Beyond the trivial or imagined, I mean.
If cost is your main consideration, then you should consider the actual, real cost of NOT believing in God. But that's not anywhere on your radar, is it?
Originally posted by OdBodLoss of free will? BWAHAHAHAHA!
Loss of free will. Control by unelected religious leaders. Passing responsibility to supernatural beings. Promoting faith over logic. Endless religious wars . Intellectual and scientific limitation . NOT BEING PERMITTED TO QUESTION ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING.Social division based on religious identity.etc.
By choosing to believe in God, you are exercising the very free will you claim is lost. How is choosing twisted around to be the loss of free will? That is nonsensical at best.
And as I said to begin with, all the other "fears" in your post are trivial or imagined. Knowledge is not unicameral, despite what those on both sides will say to get you to believe it. False prophets are everywhere, yes, on both sides of this issue. If you think you have to "give up" something by believing, then you've been talking to the wrong people. The only thing you have to give up in order to believe, is, by definition, your disbelief.