Is it better to be a believer or an athiest? (beliefs, soul)

[Majikthise]

Originally Posted by Nehustan

Ever heard of 'Pascal's wager'?????

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal's_Wager

Make sure you read the whole thing.

Not impressed.

[MdmSzdWhtGuy]

Many numerous and myriad are the problems with Pascal's Wager. IF there was but one God, and IF that God actually existed, then, and only then would Pascal's Wager be effective, but even then, you are only hedging your bets and are not really a true beleiver. So even in these very narrow and unlikely circumstance, ultimately, you still end up with problems.

Pascal's Wager is quite effective on the simple minded, those who cannot think outside the box and those who have an all or nothing mentality. For those bright enough to realize that there are many more possibility's than those laid out by Pascal, it falls apart pretty quickly. Once again it all boils down to the wisdom of Homer Simpson. . . .

"But what if we picked the wrong God? By going to Church each week, aren't we just making Him angrier and angrier?"

B.

[roli]

I guess that would depend on the interpretation of belief:
which is to assume or suppose, to be convinced of the truth or existence of,to accept the statement or opinion of a person as true.
Mainstream psychology and related disciplines have traditionally treated belief as if it were the simplest form of mental representation and therefore one of the building blocks of conscious thought. Philosophers have tended to be more rigorous in their analysis and much of the work examining the viability of the belief concept stems from philosophical analysis.

The concept of belief presumes a subject (the believer) and an object of belief (the proposition) so like other propositional attitudes, belief implies the existence of mental states and intentionality, both of which are hotly debated topics in the philosophy of mind and whose foundations and relation to brain states are still controversial.

Beliefs are sometimes divided into core beliefs (those which you may be actively thinking about) and dispositional beliefs (those which you may ascribe to but have never previously thought about). For example, if asked 'do you believe tigers wear pink pyjamas ?' a person might answer that they do not, despite the fact they may never have thought about this situation before.

The belief in God from a born again christians experience is anything but a simplified belief system ,it is a living personal encounter with God through His Spirit.
And is virtually impossible for the natural mind to comprehend because of it's insistence on understanding thru reason and intellect.
So based on a personal living experience through an encounter with God, I would have to say from my own personal encounter and being on both sides of the fence of belief and unbelief.
Belief in God is better then disbelief as belief produces faith which inturn opens up the mysteries and hidden secrets of God that typically are left closed to those who disbelieve.
Not to say that athiests can't believe in God but they just won't experience the intimacy,forgiveness,and freedom in Christ that sets people free from the sinful nature.
The greatest miracle is the transforming power of God through conversion to those who believe it is truly an awesome lifelong experience.

[Ormiston]

Originally Posted by roli

So based on a personal living experience through an encounter with God, I would have to say from my own personal encounter and being on both sides of the fence of belief and unbelief.
Belief in God is better then disbelief as belief produces faith which inturn opens up the mysteries and hidden secrets of God that typically are left closed to those who disbelieve.
Not to say that athiests can't believe in God but they just won't experience the intimacy,forgiveness,and freedom in Christ that sets people free from the sinful nature.
The greatest miracle is the transforming power of God through conversion to those who believe it is truly an awesome lifelong experience.

So you would agree that insanity and halucinations are absolutely the greatest experiences possible because they produce limitless faith which inturn opens up mysteries and hidden secrets typically left closed to the sane? Some have self-respect for what we believe in.

[sky87]

just to answer the main question asked. i think that being a believer is better, sure you have some rules to follow, however you have your freedom as well. and what religion has done for us truly phenomenal, we have evolved into a civilized society where MOST of us know right from wrong, compared to the early ages.

[Ormiston]

Originally Posted by sky87

just to answer the main question asked. i think that being a believer is better, sure you have some rules to follow, however you have your freedom as well. and what religion has done for us truly phenomenal, we have evolved into a civilized society where MOST of us know right from wrong, compared to the early ages.

And you credit religion!? I credit man.

[MdmSzdWhtGuy]

I agree Ormiston,

Religion held this back for centuries. It was with the rise of naturalism and secular humanism following the Reformation and the loosening of the stranglehold The Church had on society that the idea of everyone, including women, racial minorities and (perish the thought) those who did not own land was equal and deserved to be treated as full humans.

B.

[Bouncing Ball]

You talk about after life..
What if you find out during your life you were wrong.
theist -> atheist = you lose your made up friend
atheist -> theist = you gain a real friend

I rather start as an atheist then

[Opethian]

You could ask this same question:

Wear glasses that make everything pink which in turn makes you happy but distort your eyesight (believer), or wear glasses that do not make you happy but enable you to see clearer (atheist).

[michel]

Originally Posted by Mr Spinkles

By that logic, we should all believe in the Invisible Pink Unicorn, too. After all, a believer has nothing to lose; but if you don't believe in the IPU and she exists, you'll have to shovel her manure for all eternity.

*I apologize for bringing up the IPU, to those who have seen it like a million times *

What ? I didn't realise the unicorn was invisible...........how do you......oh, I see. Yes.

In answer to the OP, "Is it better to be a believer or an atheist ?", If I was God, I would be a little 'miffed' at the thought that someone believed in me just to 'cover his tracks'.

Don't forget, there's no fooling him! - He'll see right through you; there's no hiding your motives from him.

As I believe everyone will be given every opportunity to accept him (even after death), I don't honestly think it makes that much of a difference. Unless, of course, you think that believing in him during your life is going to spoil your 'fun'.............