The Cost of Belief for Christianity & Atheism (Atheist Book Response, Part 8)

Think Well

Blaise Pascal was a mid-1600s mathematician and philosopher. He presented an argument for religious belief from a mathematical standpoint that has come to be called Pascal's Wager. The problem is that this argument is often misunderstood and applied in ways that Pascal never intended. In Chapter 8 of "Why There Is No God: Simple Responses to 20 Common Arguments for the Existence of God," Armin Navabi argues that Pascal's Wager "does nothing to prove the nature of God," and "falls apart completely." Is this true? Should Christians stop using Pascal's Wager in our conversations? Let's take a look and think well about Armin's objections and the intended use of Pascal's Wager. Content Discussed: 0:00 Intro 5:36 Response to Armin Navabi 7:15 Background on Pascal's Wager 13:30 Armin's 2 ways that Pascal's Wager breaks down 19:45 How world religions affect Pascal's Wager 25:48 Atheist caller 26:26 If you could prove the Christian God exists, would you become a Christian? 27:40 The Christian God isn't good because he creates people who go to hell for eternity 35:05 Is the most perfect God one who gives us voluntary existence? 43:34 Can we be free if God knows the future? 1:00:18 Is there a cost to following God?