Re: 5 million dollars to change religion

[Ifreann]

There's a substantial probability that the person who takes this deal not only gains 5 millions but also ends up in heaven

it doesn't so bad now does it?

Oh look, you're independently developing Pascal's Wager, but badly.

[The Alma Mater]

There's a substantial probability that the person who takes this deal not only gains 5 millions but also ends up in heaven

it doesn't so bad now does it?

Oh look, you're independently developing Pascal's Wager, but badly.

That, or the Monty Hall problem.
Quizmaster mushroom offers you 5 million to switch to another door.. will you ?

[Infected Mushroom]

There's a substantial probability that the person who takes this deal not only gains 5 millions but also ends up in heaven

it doesn't so bad now does it?

Oh look, you're independently developing Pascal's Wager, but badly.

I don't go to casinos

so I don't know what you're talking about

[Ifreann]

Oh look, you're independently developing Pascal's Wager, but badly.

I don't go to casinos

so I don't know what you're talking about

Blaise Pascal was a 17th Century Catholic theologian, among other things. Pascal's Wager is an argument he put forward in favour of believing in God.

Pascal argues that a rational person should live as though God exists and seek to believe in God. If God does not actually exist, such a person will have only a finite loss (some pleasures, luxury, etc.), whereas he stands to receive infinite gains (as represented by eternity in Heaven) and avoid infinite losses (eternity in Hell).

[The New California Republic]

Oh look, you're independently developing Pascal's Wager, but badly.

I don't go to casinos

so I don't know what you're talking about

[Ifreann]

I don't go to casinos

so I don't know what you're talking about

Data would know who Pascal was.

[Infected Mushroom]

I don't go to casinos

so I don't know what you're talking about

Blaise Pascal was a 17th Century Catholic theologian, among other things. Pascal's Wager is an argument he put forward in favour of believing in God.

Pascal argues that a rational person should live as though God exists and seek to believe in God. If God does not actually exist, such a person will have only a finite loss (some pleasures, luxury, etc.), whereas he stands to receive infinite gains (as represented by eternity in Heaven) and avoid infinite losses (eternity in Hell).

but how would I know

I don't really read and its not like it was taught in school

[The Alma Mater]

Blaise Pascal was a 17th Century Catholic theologian, among other things. Pascal's Wager is an argument he put forward in favour of believing in God.

but how would I know

I don't really read and its not like it was taught in school

It is used in debates on religion here on NSG a few hundred times per year, usually. Especially around september.

[The New California Republic]

(Image)

Data would know who Pascal was.

Indeed he would, and use his positronic brain to annihilate his argument.

[Region of Dwipantara]

but how would I know

I don't really read and its not like it was taught in school

It is used in debates on religion here on NSG a few hundred times per year, usually. Especially around september.

It's a bad argument too if you picked the wrong religion. The more faithfully you worship Jesus, the angrier the REAL God became and you'll probably end up in hell where boiling hot water will be poured and tore directly through your skull and obliterate the contents of your stomach, healed, and have the process repeated for eternity.

[Infected Mushroom]

It is used in debates on religion here on NSG a few hundred times per year, usually. Especially around september.

It's a bad argument too if you picked the wrong religion. The more faithfully you worship Jesus, the angrier the REAL God became and you'll probably end up in hell where boiling hot water will be poured and tore directly through your skull and obliterate the contents of your stomach, healed, and have the process repeated for eternity.

wow how did you do that signature?

it looks so elegantly crafted

[Ifreann]

Blaise Pascal was a 17th Century Catholic theologian, among other things. Pascal's Wager is an argument he put forward in favour of believing in God.

but how would I know

I don't really read and its not like it was taught in school

Yes, it was obvious that you didn't know about Pascal's Wager, that's why I said that you were independently developing it, but badly.

[Infected Mushroom]

but how would I know

I don't really read and its not like it was taught in school

Yes, it was obvious that you didn't know about Pascal's Wager, that's why I said that you were independently developing it, but badly.

How come bad?

[The New California Republic]

Yes, it was obvious that you didn't know about Pascal's Wager, that's why I said that you were independently developing it, but badly.

How come bad?

Because you saw the word "wager" and thought "casino", when you should have thought "look up Wikipedia to find out what the fuck he is talking about."

[Ifreann]

Yes, it was obvious that you didn't know about Pascal's Wager, that's why I said that you were independently developing it, but badly.

How come bad?

Because you're offering people a finite reward(money) to risk infinite loss(eternal damnation).

---

How come bad?

Because you saw the word "wager" and thought "casino", when you should have thought "look up Wikipedia to find out what the fuck he is talking about."

That too.

[Purgatio]

Well, except the rules in the OP requires one to sacrifice everything you and your family currently own.

It doesn't actually. It merely makes it very likely, because when you become an evangelist for your new faith you will probably alienate your current social circle.

Or convert them for real.

Uh no, as in its actually a requirement, written into the rules of the scenario. Read the OP again.

[Rojava Free State]

There's a substantial probability that the person who takes this deal not only gains 5 millions but also ends up in heaven

it doesn't so bad now does it?

The probability of ending up in heaven is very slim considering how unlikely it is that heaven exists

[Rojava Free State]

It is used in debates on religion here on NSG a few hundred times per year, usually. Especially around september.

It's a bad argument too if you picked the wrong religion. The more faithfully you worship Jesus, the angrier the REAL God became and you'll probably end up in hell where boiling hot water will be poured and tore directly through your skull and obliterate the contents of your stomach, healed, and have the process repeated for eternity.

So you as a muslim believe Christians go to hell?

What about jews or zoroastrians? I know they dont have jesus as a middle man so do you think they can be saved?

[Rojava Free State]

I don't go to casinos

so I don't know what you're talking about

Blaise Pascal was a 17th Century Catholic theologian, among other things. Pascal's Wager is an argument he put forward in favour of believing in God.

Pascal argues that a rational person should live as though God exists and seek to believe in God. If God does not actually exist, such a person will have only a finite loss (some pleasures, luxury, etc.), whereas he stands to receive infinite gains (as represented by eternity in Heaven) and avoid infinite losses (eternity in Hell).

So basically Pascal's argument is "what if you're wrong? Do you really wanna play with those odds?"

[The Alma Mater]

Blaise Pascal was a 17th Century Catholic theologian, among other things. Pascal's Wager is an argument he put forward in favour of believing in God.

So basically Pascal's argument is "what if you're wrong? Do you really wanna play with those odds?"

Correct.
However, there are "a few" flaws with his reasoning. The most common cited is that he assumes the real god is not a jealous god- or to rephrase: that picking the wrong god to worship does not upset him (or her) more than simply not believing at all. For which no evidence is provided.
A second often heard objection is that it assumes god looks favourable on faith-4-profit; aka "I do not really believe in you, but I will pretend so I can go to heaven". Which is very similar to the premise of the hypothetical of this topic.