Pascal's Wager Applied To Mormonism/evangelicalism

[Maureen]

Hi Maureen,

Totally agree its all a matter of agency, freedom to choose and we sure have plenty of choice out there

Are you satisfied they are all right as long as they preach Christ and have faith.

Bob. ......... PS are enjoying any good sci fi these days, Dr Who out of the UK is awesome B

Hi Bob,

I'm satified that I can have a relationship with God regardless of how many religions exist. I'm satisified that I can agree with some and disagree with others.

I never got involved with the new Dr. Who or even with the old to be honest. Right now everything is re-runs, until the new fall season starts. So with that I must be more active with my yard, there is no excuse.

M.

[Bob_oz]

Hi Maureen,

I agree again the relationship we build on a one to one basis is the core to our development, knowing God for ourself is critical.

Enjoy the yard work, there are times in the winter that I think that snow might keep me inside but we have to maintain the garden, sow and plant all year, still I don't miss the snow.

Bob

[Dror]

In the book, How Wide the Divide: A Mormon and an Evangelical in Conversation, Prof. Blomberg (the evangelical) poses a revision of Pascal's Wager to his Mormon counterpart. It goes something like this:

1. If evangelicalism is correct, and Joseph Smith was either deceptive or deluded, Mormons face potentially dire circumstances on the day of judgement.

2. If the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is correct, and evangelicals are part of an unrestored, perhaps even 'apostate' faith practice, then on the Day of Judgment, they are likely to enter the Terrestial Kingdom, and enjoy the presence of Jesus Christ. This heavenly realm will be very much like what most evangelicals describe heaven to be anyway.

Conclusion: If evangelicals are right, Mormons stand to lose so much, but if evangelicals are wrong, they'll pretty much get what they expect anyway. So, why not just take the safe spiritual route, and be evangelical?

Professor Robison (the Mormon) responds by saying: Those bound for the Terrestial Kingdom would think like that, and be satisfied with their end. On the other hand, those who hunger for the highest kingdom in God's realm would never be satisfied with anything less than the Celestial Kingdom.

THOUGHTS?

It all sounds so final, doesn't it? "If they are evangelical in this life, then on the Day of Judgment..." You know what I mean? It kind of leaves the work for the dead out. Maybe evangelicals feel all right condemning Mormons to an eternal hell if we don't convert in this life, but I don't feel comfortable assigning them even to the Terrestrial Kingdom if they don't convert in this life. Maybe, after they die, they will see that there is more than what they currently expect, want it, and be given another chance to accept it. I'd be happy to do their temple work, anyway. :)

Mormonism is so much more merciful than evangelicalism, IMHO.

Dror

[prisonchaplain]

Mormonism is so much more merciful than evangelicalism, IMHO.

IMHO you can delete the <strike>IMHO</strike>. The Mormon view of redemption post mortem is clearly "more merciful" than evangelicalism's "die--then the judgment." Of course, both are claiming to explain God's plans, so the real question is: who got it right?

[Ray]

The Mormon view of redemption post mortem is clearly "more merciful" than evangelicalism's "die--then the judgment." Of course, both are claiming to explain God's plans, so the real question is: who got it right?

Or in other words:

Who was telling the truth and who was sharing false knowledge about God?

OR

Who were the prophets of God and who was speaking for God without authority?

OR

Who followed the true God and His prophets and who rejected the true God and His prophets?

OR

Who can say and believe what they want about God without God coming back to correct them?

Obviously, some people have "got it right" and some others are deceived and deceiving, and those who get what they got right will know to do the will of our Father... while knowing they must have God's authority to actually do some work for God.

And yes I've said I am right, and you'll see on your day of judgment... if you don't learn before then... and I hope we'll all be "one". :)

[prisonchaplain]

Who was telling the truth and who was sharing false knowledge about God?

3rd option: Who was sharing incomplete or imperfect knowledge about God? And the answer might be us all--even the most anointed saints have unanointed conversations.

Who followed the true God and His prophets and who rejected the true God and His prophets?

Do true prophets of God point us towards the Almighty or themselves? Did Joseph Smith stress the messages God gave him, or his own prophethood?

[Dror]

<div class='quotemain'>

Mormonism is so much more merciful than evangelicalism, IMHO.

IMHO you can delete the <strike>IMHO</strike>. The Mormon view of redemption post mortem is clearly "more merciful" than evangelicalism's "die--then the judgment." Of course, both are claiming to explain God's plans, so the real question is: who got it right?

Quite true.

Of course, some evangelicals might try claiming their religion is more merciful, because you don't have to "earn" salvation as they think we think we need to do. Of course, they only betray their ignorance of our doctrine when they say things like that...

Dror

[prisonchaplain]

Of course, some evangelicals might try claiming their religion is more merciful, because you don't have to "earn" salvation as they think we think we need to do. Of course, they only betray their ignorance of our doctrine when they say things like that...

Dror

I'm not sure that "ignorance" is the right word. Miscommunication, often enhanced by a lack of trust on both sides, is the culprit. Evangelicals focus on conversion--the initial experience of being "born again." LDS focus on sanctification--making it to the finish line. Yet both sides simply say they're talking about salvation. So, it becomes a false dichotamy: faith vs. fruit (works).