Pascal's wager

[tonychanyt]

Pascal's wager:

If God does not actually exist, such a person will have only a finite loss (some pleasures, luxury, etc.), whereas if God does exist, he stands to receive infinite gains (as represented by eternity in Heaven) and avoid infinite losses (eternity in Hell).

I.e., a Christian believer will receive infinite gains iff God exists.

Given the options of God and no God, it's a safer bet to believe in God than not.

Why shouldn't one instead turn to Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, etc.?

Pascal's wager does not answer this question.

Should Christians use the Pascal wager on non-believers?

I wouldn't. Logical arguments rarely convert anyone. I would focus on the heart of the non-believers.

 

[Mark Quayle]

Pascal's wager:


I.e., a Christian believer will receive infinite gains iff God exists.

Given the options of God and no God, it's a safer bet to believe in God than not.

Why shouldn't one instead turn to Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, etc.?

Pascal's wager does not answer this question.

Should Christians use the Pascal wager on non-believers?

I wouldn't. Logical arguments rarely convert anyone. I would focus on the heart of the non-believers.

Logical arguments do make people think, though. But Pascal's Wager, as you said, is not exactly a Christian argument.