That's whats being offered by a bookkeeper in the UK. The current odds are 4-1, which I understand means that there is an 80% chance that God exists. Although, the terms of the bet are very specific and payout is only made if, by scientific observation, God can be proved to exist.
That seems somewhat difficult and is probably why odds have dropped from 33-1 to the current 4-1. Still, 80% that God exists seems pretty good if you're an objective observer, but maybe someone with a better understanding of the philosophy of science can explain whether it is possible that an existence presumed to be immaterial or supernatural can be observed and proven by material and natural means.
Blogger Greg Mankiw observes this problem as he quotes author Robert Pirsig:
After a while he says, "Do you believe in ghosts?"
"No," I say.
"Why not?"
"Because they are un-sci-en-ti-fic."
The way I say this makes John smile. "They contain no matter," I continue, "and have no energy and therefore, according to the laws of science, do not exist except in people’s minds."
The whiskey, the fatigue and the wind in the trees start mixing in my mind. "Of course," I add, "the laws of science contain no matter and have no energy either and therefore do not exist except in people’s minds. It’s best to be completely scientific about the whole thing and refuse to believe in either ghosts or the laws of science. That way you’re safe. That doesn’t leave you very much to believe in, but that’s scientific too."
This is quite like the dilemma presented by Greg Bahnsen in his debate with Gordon Stein some years ago. Of course, neither Bahnsen nor Stein absolutely solved this issue--at least from a material perspective. But still, it seems that the existence of God is probably a safe bet, so long as you're not actually placing it.
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