Pascal's Wager?

I have to agree with Sartre: L'enfer, c'est les autres

I must take issue with you on one point, though. Cult members do not believe what they want to - quite the reverse. If you mean cult leaders, then you have a point, although it doesn't really relate to your example.

Just to jump topic one more time, I was fascinated to read this review about conspiracy theorists: http://www.salon.com/books/review/2008/10/02/counterknowledge/ - how someone believing one irrational thing is more likely to believe other fringe theories and myths.

Of course, this resolves to a tautology: gullible people are - gullible.

But it does cause a problem for seekers of truth where the truth being sought isn't grounded in science or mathematics. We have to navigate the well-meaning nonsense, avoid the dangerously deceptive manipulations, and cut a path through the rhetoric. We need to listen to the people who have genuine insight, and are not just falling in with the crowd, repeating whatever irrational theory they were indoctrinated with.

Can this be done? I don't know.

Just to jump in (and out) of this discussion.

I want to point out that there is more than a small chance for a human to be perfect. As a matter of fact it is more than a chance, it is a command made by Jesus who said in Matthew 5:48 "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect". If this would not be possible, Jesus (and his Father) will be a cruel God, indeed.

So once we know for sure that this is our mission in life (in this life that is so very short) our attention should be only on the way to achieve this command in it's fullness. How can we do this knowing that we are as far from the perfection as we are allowing ourselves to be (witch is pretty far)?
The answer is The Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost in some translations). When Jesus left Earth for Heaven, He left the Holy Spirit to Guide Us to Him (to Jesus) and trough Jesus, to perfection, so we can withstand the presence of The Father.
So we have our command and we have the Helper. From this point on it is only our interest in being perfect that will lead us to whatever path and achievements.

Now... there is one problem left. How can we contact the Holy Spirit, or better put : What do we need to do to be able to listen to him?

Trough The Church experience in the past 2000 we can receive more than one answer from the people that where the closest to achieve perfection: The Saints. If I where you, I will start looking for these books:

http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Desert-Spirituali...qid=1231306258&sr=1-9

http://www.amazon.com/Four-Desert-Fathers-Ale...id=1231306258&sr=1-12

http://www.amazon.com/Desert-Christians-Intro...0195162234/ref=pd_sim_b_9


And of course, the champion of perfection Saint Anthony the Great (or Anthony the Egyptian):

http://www.amazon.com/Life-St-Anthony-Great/d...qid=1231306579&sr=1-2

This book is written by his contemporary, Saint Athanasios the Great.

I have just a couple thoughts to add. First of all, thanks for keeping this discussion civil. Normally internet discussions covering much more trivial matters devolve into a shouting match in less time.

One thing I think you're missing (and believe me, I had a really hard time with this) was the concept of grace. You said we're only judged on a short span of time, and we should get the opportunity to keep trying until we "get it right". The thing is, we will never get it right on our own. Paul says in his letter to the Galatians (chapter 3) "Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" So the above mentioned perfection doesn't come by trying to adhere to some rules, it comes by faith. But that's not even necessary for salvation, or passage to heaven. Romans 10:9 says "Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." That's it. All that stuff you have done and possibly will do gets wiped clean by the death and ressurection of Christ. As a Christian, I don't think I'm better than others. I just realize I can't be good on my own.

You do bring up a tough question about people who may not directly hear about the message of Christ. I can tell you that Romans 1:18-20 says "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." I'm not the judge of man, but to me this sounds like "ignorance is no excuse". I do know we get busy with our lives and surround ourselves with people/things which may suppress truth and God's presence in our lives/world. I found it interesting to read a college basketball blog where the non-Christian author recently mused at the vastness of the western United S...eal place in the universe.

Finally, I do hope for a better future, but I have to admit I have a pessimistic outlook. Look at us today versus 200 years ago. Our life span is much longer, we have so many more modern conveniences and advantages, yet we still rob and kill each other (among other things). I don't think any amount of convenience will remove our feelings of jealousy, rage, etc.