Reverse Pascal's Wager (NZ variation)

Originally posted by @js357
“Consistency is contrary to nature, contrary to life. The only completely consistent people are the dead.”
― Aldous Huxley, Do What You Will: Twelve Essays

I take it that this is a text important to your belief system. It makes sense based on what you have writitten.

Originally posted by @eladar
I take it that this is a text important to your belief system. It makes sense based on what you have writitten.

There is a relationship between consistency and predictability. In some situations unpredictability is a tactical tool, in others it is part of what makes a story or joke good. Looking for inconsistencies is enjoyable.

Originally posted by @bigdoggproblem
Oh, the irony.

If billions of humans burn in hell for eternity, that is the ultimate hateful act. To believe that's going to happen and yet complain about perceived hatred on an internet forum only shows you have utterly lost perspective.

Well said.

Originally posted by @js357
Neither do a lot of us that you call atheists. We just happen to lack belief that any such exists.

So you aren’t convinced that God doesn’t exist?

Originally posted by @apathist
You have a potential point, but you couched it in garbage.

If there is a thing, lets say a rock, so there is a rock. It's in the trail, let's say, so you are walking down the trail and lo! there is a rock. You can stub your toe or step over it or find another trail to walk on, but the rock is real. I can feel it, I can show it to you, and you can stub ...[text shortened]... .
bryan steeksma
won't you listen to reason
open your eyes

[youtube]TdD0kGABmAY[/youtube]

If you bumped your toe on a painting instead, would you need more than half a brain cell to figure out that a painter must exist who is responsible for the existence of the artwork you bumbed into?

Originally posted by @dj2becker
So you aren’t convinced that God doesn’t exist?

Has anyone claimed to have a convincing argument for that? I know some of the ideas about God are reportedly logically inconsistent with each other but I don't demand consistency, I'm fallible. I'm keeping a space available for belief in God, or a god, if one shows up.

Originally posted by @js357
Has anyone claimed to have a convincing argument for that? I know some of the ideas about God are reportedly logically inconsistent with each other but I don't demand consistency, I'm fallible. I'm keeping a space available for belief in God, or a god, if one shows up.

Until then you assume God does not exist.

Originally posted by @eladar
Until then you assume God does not exist.

So you say. Edit: I don't assume any particular deity does or doesn't exist. God is not a special case. Either that, or they are all special cases.

Originally posted by @js357
So you say. Edit: I don't assume any particular deity does or doesn't exist. God is not a special case. Either that, or they are all special cases.

From what you describe you are an open minded atheist.

Your belief does assume that no god exists. You simply do not believe a god can't exist. There is a difference.

Originally posted by @eladar
From what you describe you are an open minded atheist.

Your belief does assume that no god exists. You simply do not believe a god can't exist. There is a difference.

Whatever.

Originally posted by @js357
Has anyone claimed to have a convincing argument for that? I know some of the ideas about God are reportedly logically inconsistent with each other but I don't demand consistency, I'm fallible. I'm keeping a space available for belief in God, or a god, if one shows up.

Than I think you going about this backwards, since God doesn't show up He is ever
present, He reveals Himself. You'd have Him jump through hoops for you? Being God do
you think as He is revealing Himself to His creation in ways we should recognize Him,
that, that should be enough? He is finding some of us answering Him on His terms not
ours, with that He is pleased.

Originally posted by @kellyjay
Than I think you going about this backwards, since God doesn't show up He is ever
present, He reveals Himself. You'd have Him jump through hoops for you? Being God do
you think as He is revealing Himself to His creation in ways we should recognize Him,
that, that should be enough? He is finding some of us answering Him on His terms not
ours, with that He is pleased.

“You'd have Him jump through hoops for you...”

I knew it might come across this way when I wrote it, but I am doing what I can to avoid giving that impression. I am not seeking to avoid YOU getting that impression, I am seeking to avoid HAVING that attitude. I want to be open to whatever comes. I have no answer to “What would it take?” Your God knows exactly what is in my heart on this matter, right?

I also want to avoid “Putting the ball in God’ court.” This is on me.

Originally posted by @js357
“You'd have Him jump through hoops for you...”

I knew it might come across this way when I wrote it, but I am doing what I can to avoid giving that impression. I am not seeking to avoid YOU getting that impression, I am seeking to avoid HAVING that attitude. I want to be open to whatever comes. I have no answer to “What would it take?” Your God knows exact ...[text shortened]... on this matter, right?

I also want to avoid “Putting the ball in God’ court.” This is on me.

Listen, I'm not attempting to dump on you! Even when Jesus was walking the planet there
were those that said, show us something. He said no, He wasn't going to jump through
hoops, there is always going to be an excuse to dismiss it all out of hand. There are
plenty of reasons to believe, and plenty of excuses not too, proof positive will not be in
either camp, it is about faith.

Luke 7:32-34King James Version (KJV)
32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and
saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and
ye have not wept. 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine;
and ye say, He hath a devil.
34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man,
and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

Originally posted by @kellyjay
Listen, I'm not attempting to dump on you! Even when Jesus was walking the planet there
were those that said, show us something. He said no, He wasn't going to jump through
hoops, there is always going to be an excuse to dismiss it all out of hand. There are
plenty of reasons to believe, and plenty of excuses not too, proof positive will not be in
eith ...[text shortened]... king; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man,
and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

Wise words.

Originally posted by @kellyjay
... There are plenty of reasons to believe, ...

Reasons? And how well do those reasons stand up to inquiry?

There are plenty of reasons to believe in anything at all.