Is This Why Many Say They Believe ?

[modeller]

I was talking to a Theist friend of mine who said that he was a Theist not because he believed , in general terms he didn't , but rather it was better than the alternative. He said he Needed to believe in something outside himself and the known universe. He said without religion, life was a void.

[AB Editor]

It is logical to believe in a god/afterlife in general... as if don't believe and you're right it's fine, you're worm food, if you're wrong you're damned to hell etc. If you do believe and you're right, you probably go to heaven, if you're wrong you're just worm food.

So the way to remove risk is to believe just enough for minimum metaphysical height requirements to get into heaven.

The same exercise can be applied to the global warming "debate". If those who think it's a conspiracy are wrong, we all get drowned, if they're right, we just spent a bit of cash... etc.

Anyway, I find this logic more appealing that the kind mentioned in your OP modeller. "Life is a void without religion" is a sign of a lack of imagination!

[jim360]

That's Pascal's Wager though, innit? And there's no particular guarantee that the Gods will take that sort of belief seriously, so it's sort of hollow isn't it? Besides which, you'd have to "believe" in every single religion to make sure you've covered all bases... doesn't really work.

[Canary42]

Spot on modeller - many people need this emotional crutch.

[tamborine]

Its puzzling that with so little belief that people favour religious marriages and fight for the right to a service, rather than a civil ceremony.

[joggerjayne]

Jaclyn Glenn (whom we all know is actually naomi24) explains (and shoots down) Pascal's Wager ... which is just a sort of spiritual insurance policy.

[joggerjayne]

:0(

(tries again ...)

Media URL: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w497__kp28I
Description:

[joggerjayne]

Oh, for goodness sake!

[AB Editor]

"Besides which, you'd have to "believe" in every single religion to make sure you've covered all bases... doesn't really work."

You'd probably just have to bet with the majority I reckon?

Also, as you get more convinced by the evidence of the "worm food" option maybe you could ease off on the hedged bets and settle for a "personal relationship with god" kind of thing?

"Its puzzling that with so little belief that people favour religious marriages and fight for the right to a service, rather than a civil ceremony."

I think an equal civil ceremony is needed for everyone - something that says "tax benefits until death do us part" or similar :)

[tamborine]

...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w497__kp28I&app=desktop

[joggerjayne]

Oh, why thank you, tambo.

I wonder what I was doing wrong?

[AB Editor]

How about this JJ.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w497__kp28I

[joggerjayne]

Okay okay, so everyone can do it except me.

:0/

[tamborine]

Its a bit like Christopher Robin's night prayers; some are brought up to give thanks for the day before turning in. Its hard to sleep without the comfort blanket.

[joggerjayne]

Anyway, naomi24 (I mean Jaclyn Glenn) is talking about the principle mentioned in Ed's first post.

Which, as jim360 says, is called Pascal's Wager.

[Ellipsis]

Life of Pi is a more entertaining version ...

http://screenrant.com/life-of-pi-movie-ending-spoilers/ (WARNING - SPOILERS)

[AB Editor]

I can only pub-level philosophy I'm afraid JJ

[tamborine]

cant leave this out ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZEI4P8OKY8

[joggerjayne]

My reading of Pi was a bit different. I came away with the feeling that both versions of the story were "true" ... for those who believed each version.

An illustration of the idea that "God exists because, if He didn't, Man would have created him".

It's a variation on the Shroedinger idea. (Is that how you spell it?)

[Ellipsis]

Jayne, read the section titled "The Ending Explained" in my link above, as I don't want to discuss the ending to a book/film here when it's only tangentially related to the OP. The four paragraphs starting "Pi is faced with a heavy challenge" and finishing "two stories" are the most relevant.

[Old_Geezer]

Without a belief in continuation of existence life may well seem pointless, so I can see that. But it wouldn't be a reason on its own to believe. But maybe a reason, whilst there is a lack of proof, to have belief as your preferred option.