Forum Home
PC World Chat
Thread ID: 128074	2012-12-02 05:30:00	Pascal's Wager	Cicero (40)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1315910	2012-12-02 22:21:00	I also like the way you added the "our" and "We" so as tyo position me as an outsider. Nice try. Given that the proportion on NZ that considers themselves Christian is less than 50%...	Zara Baxter (16260)
1315911	2012-12-02 22:25:00	[QUOTE=Richard;1133951] It posits that there's more to be gained from wagering on the existence of God than from atheism, and that a rational person should live as though God exists. Rational? That's not rational. There are people who live like that now, suicide bombers for instance. The idea that now doesn't matter cause there's the afterlife. And look at religion, live like that? They've caused more wars, slaughter and misery than any other deranged excuse.	pctek (84)
1315912	2012-12-02 22:27:00	Why not? The wager makes sense regardless of *which* God you follow, the fact being that it is better to follow *any* of the Gods than to live as an Atheist. It makes perfect sense if you ask me. Better to be any religion and have even the possibility of XYZ eternal benefits as opposed to not, having the prospect of no benefits. At least if you've hedged your bets with Zeus you have a greater chance of getting it right than somebody who chooses not to bet, yes? As a religious fellow myself, I'd rather see somebody living as a Jehovahs Witness, or a Muslim, or a Christian, or even a Scientologist, than nothing at all. Why not pursue eternal excellence? If you fail and you chose the *wrong* God, then what have you lost vs choosing none at all? Nothing. If you succeed and chose the right God, then what have you lost? You've gained significant eternal reward If you fail, and there was no God at all, then what have you lost? Nothing, you'll be in the same boat as the Atheists. To be honest I'd never heard of Pascal's Wager prior to this, but I find the notion fascinating :)	Chilling_Silence (9)
1315913	2012-12-02 22:29:00	Given that the proportion on NZ that considers themselves Christian is less than 50%... According to the last Census, it was actually just shy of 55% if I recall correctly, that's presuming you lump in all Christians, Baptists, Catholics, Anglicans, 7th Day Adventists, and JW's in to the mix.. Let me see if I can find it. EDIT: Turns out there's a Wikipedia page just dedicated to it: en.wikipedia.org	Chilling_Silence (9)
1315914	2012-12-02 22:30:00	As long as the actual god, if there is one, is benevolent, sure, Chill. but if they aren't, a in the Atheists wager posted above, then picking the wrong god means your eternal self is doomed. Would you take that risk?	Zara Baxter (16260)
1315915	2012-12-02 22:31:00	From 2006, lumping them all in, it's 53.6% (I checked).	Zara Baxter (16260)
1315916	2012-12-02 22:39:00	Yeah so just shy of 55%, but I forget the point of referencing that statistic anyway? If the Atheists are right, then you're not going to benefit or lose by choosing a wrong God, will you? Whereas if you choose you at least have a small chance of getting it right, IF there is one. If there isn't, and the Atheists are right, then it doesn't matter if you chose a non-existent God, right? EDIT: Just saw the Atheists wager, will read it shortly :)	Chilling_Silence (9)
1315917	2012-12-02 22:43:00	Yeah so just shy of 55%, but I forget the point of referencing that statistic anyway? If the Atheists are right, then you're not going to benefit or lose by choosing a wrong God, will you? Whereas if you choose you at least have a small chance of getting it right, IF there is one. If there isn't, and the Atheists are right, then it doesn't matter if you chose a non-existent God, right? So you think I should fake it? That doesn't sound very rational. If I'm atheist, and the god is benevolent, I'm fine. If the god isn't benevolent, I'm no worse off (and possibly better off) than someone who picked the wrong god. Atheism sounds like a rational path for me.	Zara Baxter (16260)
1315918	2012-12-02 22:51:00	Hmm that's an interesting notion. I'll have a think about it :)	Chilling_Silence (9)
1315919	2012-12-02 22:52:00	Pascal's wager is silly but atheism is sillier Atheism is equivalent to a folder in a directory structure saying "There is no folder above me" I am surprised that intelligent people (and you have to be a little bit intelligent in IT... ;) ) don't realise that it is logically impossible to see a folder above you. It really is stupid to say that it doesn't exist on the basis that you can't see it Similarly it is logically impossible to see or know of the existence of God. But it is something you might believe	BBCmicro (15761)
1 2 3 4 5 6