So I'm a Christian who believes that since I have the Holy Spirit inside of me I will go to heaven when I die, and if I don't, I go to hell. A lot of the people on the WEPR forums believe that nothing happens and we just cease to exist.
Now if I am right, that means that atheists and other similar ways of thinking are going to have a bad eternity. But if I'm wrong, then I might just be a fool in this world but the same will happen to me as everyone else. It seems that I have much less to lose. Just food for thought.
So I'm a Christian who believes that since I have the Holy Spirit inside of me I will go to heaven when I die, and if I don't, I go to hell. A lot of the people on the WEPR forums believe that nothing happens and we just cease to exist.
Now if I am right, that means that atheists and other similar ways of thinking are going to have a bad eternity. But if I'm wrong, then I might just be a fool in this world but the same will happen to me as everyone else. It seems that I have much less to lose. Just food for thought.
I am not an atheist, but I know atheists only believe that when you die, you die. Nothing else happens.
I am not an atheist, but I know atheists only believe that when you die, you die. Nothing else happens.
He just said that. There was no need to repeat it.
I reject the notion that lack of permanence saps meaning from anything. Eventually, entropy will increase to a maximum and everything we've done will crumble to dust, but the end doesn't mean it was all for naught. People follow religion because it means something. People become atheists because that means something too.
I think that a lot of Christians have the misconception that its their way or no way. Take a look at other religions. Read about them. Ask a practitioner about them. Being informed about other peoples beliefs does not mean you need to convert. But if you can have an understanding of what other people believe and how its important to them - it can greatly diminish the level of ignorance and intolerance in the world. Plus it could strengthen your own beliefs in ways you didn't think of.
Pascal's wager really only works if only one religion is taken into account, yet there are numerous others, and statistically speaking it is very risky to believe in one specific deity.
Though of course one may argue that all religions are only different interpretations of one and the same deity, unknown yet venerated by all religions. In this case joining any religion is just as good an idea.
But consider this: a christian may centre his life around his deity. If in fact there is another deity, the christian may get punished for believing in a false god. An atheist does not centre his life around a deity. He may (or may not) lead a good respectable life. If in fact there is a deity, it will see that the atheist has lead a good life and reward him. (Of course this is just as inaccurate as your OP, but maybe it will help you thinking a bit broader)
Now if I am right, that means that atheists and other similar ways of thinking are going to have a bad eternity. But if I'm wrong, then I might just be a fool in this world but the same will happen to me as everyone else. It seems that I have much less to lose. Just food for thought.
As stated this doesn't take into account every other religion, with thousands to choose from and just as many if not more denominations with in each this makes for very low odds. That is if any of them got it right.
Though of course one may argue that all religions are only different interpretations of one and the same deity, unknown yet venerated by all religions. In this case joining any religion is just as good an idea.
God has a serious multiple personality problem then. Is a single God, is multiple gods and goddesses, has direct contact with us, has no contact at all. There are just to many contradictory claims for them to all just be different interpretations of the same source.
An atheist does not centre his life around a deity. He may (or may not) lead a good respectable life. If in fact there is a deity, it will see that the atheist has lead a good life and reward him. (Of course this is just as inaccurate as your OP, but maybe it will help you thinking a bit broader)
To add to this there are a number of religions and religious denominations who believe in a good life = rewarded afterlife. So if we really want to play the odds game with all these religions this would give us the greatest odds as it crosses numerous religions and even has the possibility of hitting on some that may not exist if not of the above got it.
I would nether call me an atheist nor would I say that there is something like a "god" which observes us all and judges who is good or bad and sending the goods to heaven and the bads to hell. Everyone has the possibility to "create" his own set of beliefs which allows him or her to believe what he or she thinks is right and fits to their own understanding of life. I stopped believing in god when I was 12 or so as there were to many letdowns made by "god"...may sound stupid but while not believing in god I believe in a life after death. Many of my friends don't understand my view on religions. In fact it's hard to explain my personal beliefs.
But consider this: a christian may centre his life around his deity. If in fact there is another deity, the christian may get punished for believing in a false god. An atheist does not centre his life around a deity. He may (or may not) lead a good respectable life. If in fact there is a deity, it will see that the atheist has lead a good life and reward him. (Of course this is just as inaccurate as your OP, but maybe it will help you thinking a bit broader)
I wasn't arguing whether Pascal's wager was correct or not, I was simply stating that the original post pretty much just rehashed it.
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
To add to this there are a number of religions and religious denominations who believe in a good life = rewarded afterlife. So if we really want to play the odds game with all these religions this would give us the greatest odds as it crosses numerous religions and even has the possibility of hitting on some that may not exist if not of the above got it.
I don't believe in the good life = rewarded afterlife thing. And if we are just playing the odds, than you do have the best bet. I'm trusting and putting my faith in what I believe is true.
I would nether call me an atheist nor would I say that there is something like a "god" which observes us all and judges who is good or bad and sending the goods to heaven and the bads to hell.
I stopped believing in god when I was 12 or so as there were to many letdowns made by "god".
That would make you an atheist, whether you want to call yourself one or not. All an atheist is is someone who doesn't believe in a god or gods.
I'm trusting and putting my faith in what I believe is true.
You do that, I'll put my trust in things that can and have been tested, have a proven track record and don't require the gullibility of faith.
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
I'm not judging anyone. These forums are for discussing different views, and if I say something that seems judgmental, it isn't supposed to be.
gullibility of faith.
The gullibility of faith is a defining part of a relationship. If you don't have to put yourself out there and give something, it's kind-of a one sided relationship.
The gullibility of faith is a defining part of a relationship. If you don't have to put yourself out there and give something, it's kind-of a one sided relationship.
So obeying a deities every wish as a slave is not abusive, but not believing is somehow abusive?
