Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: Tenacious 1

Ah, Pascal’s wager! Of course, you realize, right, that this argument applies equally well to Odin, Allah, Neptune, Vishnu, or the flying spaghetti monster. It’s not particular to the Christian God. If you find that convincing, then you must also worship just about every other god that people have ever worshipped.


70 posted on 08/05/2013 12:32:55 PM PDT by stremba
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 68 | View Replies ]


To: stremba
Ah, Pascal’s wager! Of course, you realize, right, that this argument applies equally well to Odin, Allah, Neptune, Vishnu, or the flying spaghetti monster. It’s not particular to the Christian God. If you find that convincing, then you must also worship just about every other god that people have ever worshipped.

I do realize that. But you are applying the argument incorrectly and it doesn't affect or undermine my faith at all. "Pascal's wager" is not about promoting one god over another, it's the argument of the existence of a deity against the denial of a deity. It's an argument to challenge atheists. It is but one of many.

I submit that to move an atheist from their devout position all you have to do is prove their belief takes as much faith as your own. First, get them to admit they are strict and devout about their logical and scientific belief. Finish with what "proof" means and show that no scientific theory has proven or disproven the origin of anything from the universe to life any more than religion has. Then remind them how strict and devout they are about their logic and explain their belief is a leap of faith at some level as well. If you have them stumped, then you can toss in Pascal's Wager for fun.

I never shy away from these discussions and have found myself in quite a few over the years. I learned early on, however, that to truly start the process of changing one's heart and mind on this subject, you have to start at their level and create doubt about what they believe. You aren't going to convince them to go get baptized after one discussion. Jesus may have been able to do that, I've not seen it happen but have watched many try (sometimes even here on FR).

80 posted on 08/06/2013 7:53:20 AM PDT by Tenacious 1 (If the government told us to expect rain, I'd schedule an outdoor wedding.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson