Pascal’s Wager

I reject it.

Read this.

See this for criticism of Pascal.  

I can add to the criticism of false belief, and the criticism that an omniscient God could detect false belief – what kind of God would want such false belief?  And what kind of true believer would want self-interest false believers joining them in the pews?  

Now, I think the following quote from Pascal really gets into the real meaning of what was behind his wager; the real meaning behind religious belief.

When I consider the short duration of my life, swallowed up in an eternity before and after, the little space I fill engulfed in the infinite immensity of spaces whereof I know nothing, and which know nothing of me, I am terrified. The eternal silence of these infinite spaces frightens me.

It all comes down to this: Pascal was terrified of reality; therefore, we all must believe in God.  After all, little Pascal has to feel better about his existence, and who are we to stand in the way of his internal comfort, eh?

And the religious, weak-minded people who need a “Big Daddy” to make themselves feel more secure, also are frightened of “the eternal silence of these infinite spaces.”  

I reject this view.  Embrace the silence and find your own meaning, make your own noise to fill those “infinite spaces.”  Don’t depend on imaginary entities, and their priests, to do it for you.  Be authentic.