So, finally, we have the final part of this series:
Pascal's Wager
This is an 'argument' (if you can call it that) by Blaise Pascal, hte famous French mathematician. It states that it is a better bet to believe that God exists than to believe he doesn't. This is because if God doesn't exist it doesn't matter. If he does, however, and you believe in him, then you will go to heaven. If you don't believe in him, you will go to hell. There you are, for believing in him you have +1 and for not -1. Simple. But we are assuming that heaven is better than hell. Do all people think that way? And, that believing in him automatically gets you past St Peter but if you don't you're out on your ear. Is this correct. I thought it was more 'Have you been naughty or nice?'. This is a nice idea, one of my favourites but it doesn't change my viewpoint.
So, Do I believe in God?
No. This is because I, as I have said before, 'know' in science. I feel that science explains everything better. I think that religion was early sceince. A way to explain things that we couldn't. This is seen in the Creation story and the Tower of Babel. Explaining the creation of the universe and language respectively. Then you have people or events in the public memory who were slightly special but who's stories grew in the telling. For this I would cite Noah's Flood and the prophets. I know some people believe in God. This is fine. I would be the first person to stand up for you. But, for me, it just isn't right.
KarenF
I think it is entirely consistent for science to explain everything, and there still to be a God. I don't mean God as in the Bible (a document which has to have been corrupted over the years) or any other religious book. I mean God perhaps as envisioned by gnostics and heretics. The idea that All is One and One is God.
I suspect that the great religious thinkers such as Jesus were actually trying to say this, but in a subtle way (such as when Jesus says 'the Kingdom of God is within you'). Life is about searching to find truth. And that is why I've found this blog so entertaining and interesting today: someone is actually trying to think about things, and that's a better way to get an education than following the National Curriculum.
I feel sorry for people like Richard Dawkins. His mind is so closed that his very disbelief in God has become a faith - but he can't see it.