Why I'd Risk Going to Hell Rather Than Being Muslim

Summary

In this video, ex-Muslim Abdullah Samir addresses the common question of 'What if you’re wrong?' regarding faith. He critiques Pascal’s Wager and explores seven reasons why religious belief, particularly in Islam, is problematic as a measure of eternal salvation. Abdullah highlights issues like the unfairness of birth circumstances, the impossibility of choosing belief, the lack of free will, and the illogical concept of eternal punishment. He emphasizes living authentically according to one’s own values rather than out of fear of divine retribution. Ultimately, he encourages critical thinking, personal integrity, and prioritizing humanity over imposed religious obligations.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video addresses common questions ex-Muslims face, such as 'What if you were wrong?' or 'Why don’t you just believe?'
• 😀 It references Pascal’s Wager, explaining the argument that believing in God is safer to avoid potential eternal damnation.
• 😀 The speaker critiques the idea that belief alone determines salvation, highlighting that in Islam, believing incorrectly can result in eternal punishment.
• 😀 The first issue raised is why God would value having the 'right belief' over moral actions, questioning the fairness of damnation based solely on belief.
• 😀 The second issue is the unequal playing field—people’s chance of being born into the 'correct' religion is random and unfair.
• 😀 The third issue emphasizes that belief cannot be forced; genuine faith cannot be chosen, making punishment for disbelief inherently unjust.
• 😀 The fourth issue questions why people would be punished for sincerely trying their best to believe in something they find unconvincing.
• 😀 The fifth issue critiques the concept of eternal hell, arguing that eternal punishment for finite mistakes is disproportionate and unteachable.
• 😀 The sixth issue challenges the logic of 'choosing the right religion just in case,' as there are multiple possible religions and gods, leaving believers uncertain.
• 😀 The seventh issue points out that partial belief without full submission is insufficient, making life under strict religious rules a high-stakes gamble with no guarantees.
• 😀 Ultimately, the speaker advocates living according to personal values, family, community, and humanity rather than fear of divine punishment.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the video and what is their background?

The speaker is Abdullah Samir, a former Muslim who identifies as an ex-Muslim. He shares his personal experiences and reflections after leaving Islam.

What common question does the speaker say he is often asked?

He is often asked, 'What if you were wrong?' or 'Why don't you just believe?' People sometimes add variations like 'What do you lose for being a Muslim?'

What is Pascal's Wager, as mentioned in the script?

Pascal's Wager is a philosophical argument by Blaise Pascal suggesting that it is safer to believe in God (specifically the Christian God) to avoid the risk of eternal damnation if one is wrong.

Why does the speaker find Pascal's Wager problematic from an Islamic perspective?

Because in Islam, belief must be correct in specific ways, and having the wrong beliefs can make someone a disbeliever (kafir), leading to punishment. Simply choosing to believe just in case isn't sufficient.

What is the first issue the speaker raises about belief-based damnation?

The speaker questions why having the correct belief in one's head should determine eternal damnation, highlighting the unfairness if someone chooses the wrong religion through no fault of their own.

How does the speaker describe the difficulty of choosing belief?

He explains that belief is not a choice and cannot be forced. One cannot simply decide to believe in something implausible, like imaginary unicorns causing sneezes, even with sincere effort.

What argument does the speaker make regarding free will and determinism?

He argues that our thoughts and beliefs are shaped by our brain and life experiences, which we do not control. Thus, what we end up believing is not truly a matter of free will.

Why does the speaker think hell is unjust according to Islamic theology?

He finds it unjust that a disbeliever, even if they are morally good, would go to hell forever for a wrong belief while a believer would go to heaven. Eternal punishment does not allow for learning or correction.

What concerns does the speaker raise about trying to follow Islam 'just in case'?

He highlights that Islam requires complete submission, including specific behaviors and practices. Living 'just in case' can result in sacrificing one’s life, values, and freedom without any guarantee of success in avoiding hell.

What is the speaker's conclusion about living after leaving Islam?

He concludes that he will live according to his own values, for himself, his family, his community, and humanity, without fear of Allah or judgment, having done his best to make rational decisions.

How does the speaker view guiding others away from Islam?

He believes that guiding someone away from Islam is highly beneficial, even more valuable than material rewards, as implied by his statement about '10 red camels.'

What does the speaker identify as a small exception regarding punishment for disbelief?

He notes that some Muslims argue Allah won’t punish people who never truly received the message of Islam, but he dismisses this as a minor exception that doesn’t apply to the majority who have heard of Islam and still do not believe.