Who here has heard about Pascal's Wager? No? Ok here, have a link: [link]
Now I know it looks hefty, so if you're lazier than I am the basic rundown is a game theory type analysis where Faith and the existence of god are compared, and the benefits stacked heavily in favor of Christian faith.

Dawkin's counter argument aside, Pascal failed to consider every other faith in the world. Let me explain myself first, then I'll try and get my concept on the table and do the usual music review. If you're particularly religious or angry please skip my soul spilling and go directly to the music, do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars. If you are of a religious faith, but willing to consider other ideas about the world please read on, and let me know if I'm on the right track. Ok. Disclaimer complete, here goes.

There are about 21 different major religions out there, not counting scientologists or general theists ([link]). Many have similar faith requirements to the different brands of Christianity, that is good stuff after life if you believe, bad stuff if you don't. So here's the question the world keeps blowing itself up over; Which one is right? I mean, someone who really cares wants to make sure that everyone around them goes to heaven instead of hell, but with so many other options out there, how are the faithful sure they've got the right afterlife? Each has a rich past, and its ups and downs, but they are all based on either the word of ancestors or ancient texts.

I asked an acquaintance why he was a Christian instead of a Buddhist or Muslim. His response was understandable, something to the effect of "I have a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ." I asked him what he thought of all the other faiths in the world: How can there be so many different beliefs and how much do you know about them? He was raised Christian, so he never really did much research into Hinduism or the beliefs of the Pagans historically slaughtered in the name of Christ. That's fine, and a valid answer, Ignorance of the other options is understandable. There's a lot of material, and folks spend their entire lives studying each specific religion, but that didn't explain the number of other beliefs.

He explained that the devil was trying to lead people off the path to Christ. Now, for me the devil is an odd character, and I'm going to digress for this paragraph before returning to the Roulette. Why would any of the Christian god's creations have free will? The Devil, Adam, Lilith and Eve. It isn't really free if the consequences of experimentation are everlasting damnation and the pain of death. It's more like extortion. God wants people to love him so he offers both positive and negative reinforcement. "Gimme your wallet and I won't shoot you, and as an added bonus I'll make you my lover for all eternity." /end digression.

Like I was saying, the basic argument was that each of those other faiths is wrong. A trap for souls. I got to thinking, of this sort of like a game of roulette, were people gamble with their souls. Given, it doesn't seem like a gamble, when you absolutely know you have the winning ticket to heaven (cuz whatever your religious text is, says so). The way I see it each faith, no matter how big or small is a space on the board for you to bid your soul on. Go ahead, place your bets. What do you think is in the afterlife? Ok, now think about those millions of other people out there placing their bets. Each individual has their one chip to toss in, some place them on the edge of the game squares, some firmly in the middle, (others standing on end: extremist style).

Now once a person dies, the roulette stops spinning. Whatever faith is the winner, that is the one true path, all bets are off. The winners take their prize (congratulations, you've won eternity with Nirvana, Christ, Marley, etc.) and the losers go to wherever the winning faith dictates. Bad luck if that's anything like Christianity, more game time if it's Buddhism, etc.

My point is, the odds are against the faithful. How do you know that personal relationship you're feeling isn't with some other devil trying to trick you? I mean, if that's the justification for other faiths being wrong, then how do you justify yours being right? Given, this is a rebuttal to opinion, so not a definite idea for me. It seems I'm playing devil's advocate for every religion there is. You only have one chip to lay out on Pascal's Roulette, where are you putting yours? Common advice (or that whole nurture, nature argument, if you aren't sure yet) seems to be put it with your family, simply because win or lose, you're going with the people you love. I ask why place it on the board at all? Should I play agnostic, and not take part in the religious debates of the world, I get to keep my life and afterlife (if there is one) in my hand. I may lose by default, but I'm sure if there is a benevolent god out there, he'll understand. If not, then at least I won't be lonely: A minimum 66% of the world should be with me, wherever I'm at.

Now this wicked game isn't any reason to become an immoral person. There can be morals without gods, philosophers do it all the time. There can be life without religion. In fact, my money's on a more peaceful world. If all religions are considered equally, then why fight over where the chips lay?


Alright, music I've been listening to.

White Rabbits: I GOT THEM ON THE RADIO OUT HERE !!! Liz, thank you for pointing these guys out, they should be getting plenty of airtime in the next few weeks.

Pomplamoose and Jack Conte: Alright, I like Conte's style, but not many of his songs jump out at me. Is that weird? "Bloody Nose", "Lonely Ghost" and the remix for "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah" with it's awesome music video are addictive, but not many of his others snag me. Pomplamoose on the other hand, is a new favorite for me. I love her voice. It reminds me of the girl from Elf, the one who sings in the shower and is undeniably adorable. Yeah, her. Give Pomplamoose if you haven't already.

Passion Pit: I blame the Spinto Band for me looking into these guys. I got a taste of higher pitched stuff and fell in love with Passion Pit's "Sleepy Head". The rest of the stuff from Chunk of Change is fine in small doses, but… well… I moved on.

I went back and picked up some Ting Tings, My Chemical Romance, Shins and Two Gallants for my collection. A worthy buy, I've needed "The District Sleeps" forever, and We Started Nothing is bloody awesome, so I was long overdue. I offer no explanation for my unhealthy attraction to Two Gallants.

I say unhealthy, because it led me to buy The Black Crowes' Before the Frost… (…Until the Freeze) combo. Not sure how well I like these (this) album yet. They're bluesy, and tell a good story the way country should, but… it's country. I'm finding it tough to separate these guys from my vendetta against CMT, but I'm coming around. There are a few standout songs "Good Morning Captain" and "A Train Still Makes A Lonely Sound" but I need to devote more listen time. Too bad the Black Keys are calling my name.

Madina Lake: Sounds similar to other radio hits. I feel like every song on "From Them, Through Us, To You" is a bid for the radio, which isn't a bad thing. "House of Cards" has some tension, which I dig, but I don't think it's going on too many playlists anytime soon. Overall, the album is motivating, and a good listen, but maybe not quite worth the buy? Give them a test run, they're worth a Pandora station at the very least, simply because they sound like a lot of other dece groups.

Mary Prankster: I keep coming back to this red headed wonder woman. I love her, I hate her, I can't play her around other people because of her content, but I freckin love that content! "Mercyfuck" or "The World is Full of Bastards" for a couple examples. She's a paragon of snarkiness, and it's a terrible shame she seems to have dropped off the face of the internet. Prolly because she retired in 2005. If you love spunky, bemused, abused and funny/angry Irish… well. Choose her, please? At least so I can stop laughing with her, alone. Every one of her albums has a winner or five with Roulette Girl coming in at the top of the list.