The Athiests Wager

This post isn't about belief or faith; it is about what we know as humans. Many of us are familiar with Pascal's Wager. For those who are not, it basically says that it is better to believe in God than not to because if he or she does exist then you will have been on the right side of the equation and enjoy eternal life, and if not, well you spend your days in the empty abyss that is nothingness. I could not disagree with this philosophical theory more, because what Pascal has done is he has simplified the issue into absolutes - now this would be fine if we lived in a world of absolutes, but we don't so the basis of his wager is flawed. Let me start by saying, I don't have a problem with religious theory, or people practicing their religion. What I have a problem with is people fighting over something that noone knows to be true because of foolish pride and blind belief. I also have a problem with others imposing their religious will on countries by marrying church and state.

There is no other subject that has provoked more emotion, debate, or bloodshed than religion. The fact that there are religious wars fought is absurd. Actually, it is true that more blood has been spilled in the name of religion than anything else in history; though oil will soon give it a run for its money. It is amazing to me that people will believe in a higher power even though they have never seen it, but will refute global warming as they see the ice melt in front of their eyes. Isn't it pure stupidity to argue over something that can't be proven? And who cares if the person beside you believes in the same thing as you anyways? What good will it do in the end? People need to get over themselves, get over their need for normalcy, and just be. Worry about the life you have NOW, rather than a life you MIGHT have LATER. So practice your religion and be proud of it. Just don't fight about it and argue about it, because hey, there might be an invisible man in the sky who cares more about your diet than your decisions, but I can guarantee you one thing - he will not enjoy a bunch of people killing in his name.

All I'm trying to say is that there are things that deserve our resources and attention that we know exist, and devoting the money and effort that people do to religion just seems a little misguided to me. So with all the religious choices out there, here is my wager: live your life as a good person, help each other and treat others as you would want to be treated (hmm I think I borrowed this one from somewhere), and any loving supreme being would have to be crazy to turn you away from eternal life because you didn't worship them or give money to the organization that endorses them. Live free and smile.