Having Belief in Resurrection to Avoid Possible Harm
In debates between infallible religious leaders and their opponents, there is an interesting method uses that here we describe as ‘avoiding possible harm or loss’.
In everyday life, we face some news that give us warnings and important messages. Our reactions to them are different and depend on how serious they are. The more possibility there is for a gain or a loss, the more serious our reaction will be. For example, in a business deal, if there is a 90% possibility for a 5% profit, people go ahead and sign it. Because although the amount of profit is little, it is almost certain to be gained.
If the possibility of profit is 70% but the amount of profit rises to 30%, or the possibility is 40% and the amount is high, for example, 70%, people will again sign it.
This is also the case in a lottery when there is a very little possibility of winning but the profit that can be gained if one wins is very high. SO people buy lottery tickets despite the fact that they know the odds are very low that their ticket will be a winner.
Now let’s look at the warnings about the Resurrection Day. There have been so many prophets, Imams, and divine figures who have told us there will be life after death and whatever we have done in this world will be assessed and based on that assessment we will be rewarded or punished on the Resurrection Day. There is strong evidence that this will happen, but let’s talk about those who are indifferent or among disbelievers. How much do they think it is possible that these warnings are true? Even if they think there is a one-percent possibility or even a one-thousandth possibility, they should act accordingly. Because although the possibility is low, what is at stake is very important. If the Resurrection Day is going to come, there will be either eternal suffering in hell or eternal salvation and residing in paradise. So regardless of the possibility, the enormous amount of gain or loss necessitates our close attention.
When a little child tells us about a snake being hidden somewhere or that he or she has found a box of jewelry or a bag full of money. Here it is the value of possible gain or the danger ahead that makes us pay attention to what the child says not the likelihood of he or she being right.
Is it not logical for us to pay attention to what prophets of God have told us, prophets who invited people to the right path for years and remained steadfast even when their lives were at risk and demonstrated different miracles to prove their truthfulness? Is it not enough for disbelievers to at least think about the possibility of these warnings and messages being true?
A believer’s profit is gaining God’s pleasure, eternal salivation and residing in paradise forever. The loss of disbelievers and sinners is eternal hell. These are very enormous profits and losses. So shouldn’t we act to avoid these possible losses and gain these possible profits by treading on the path of prophets of God?
