h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

jowot- so you're saying that God would let you pass through the pearly gates, even though it was merely a "gamble" on reward, rather than choice of free will, regardless of reward or consequences?

jibbly

I don't think I understand the question.

What I was saying was that IF heaven is a reward for believing something, it makes sense to believe something that is more likely to be true - i.e. containing fewer exclusivity claims and other sources of contradiction.

This presupposes that one can choose what to believe, which is not something I've ever understood.

If we don't choose what to believe, then what do we end up believing?

That which fate chooses for us to believe.

Well I tend to believe things that appear to be true. And I can't control the appearance of truth by an act of will. I may choose to test some ideas and not others, but that is all.