(August 20, 2010 at 3:26 pm)DeistPaladin Wrote: I think our version of Pascal's Wager should be:
If God is just, what does the unbeliever have to fear?
If God is not just, what does the believer hope to serve?
Long version:
Ok, let's assume there's a god. Let's assume there's an afterlife. Let's assume said afterlife is the judgment day model that Islamo-Christians are so fond of. All that assumed, what is this judgment based on?
If God is just, than our character would be fairly evaluated regardless of how much we suck up. What kind of a judge let's criminals go just because they say "you're so great!"? If this is the case, God's favor couldn't be bought with praise and faith. Our character would have to be evaluated without prejudice. If this is the case, what do we need religion for? We can follow our own moral compass and be just fine by trying to live as best as we can, just like if there were no afterlife.
If God evaluates our character on our faith, then Islamo-Christians abandon all pretense that they serve a just god. Heaven becomes a reward for the suck-ups while Hell is a purile punishment for those who won't kiss his ass. Religion has a purpose but only in being sycophantic to an unjust god.
Why do you presume you can set the rules for God's court. God has already set the rules and guess what you can not get in on your own merit it will not stand up to God's rules. There are two ways one can enter heaven.
1) You can be judged by God's perfect standard by your own merit. (Fail)
2) You can allow Christ and His perfect life to stand in your place and be jugded for you. (Pass)
Islam and Christianity do not share the same God.
God loves those who believe and those who do not and the same goes for me, you have no choice in this matter. That puts the matter of total free will to rest.
