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As his terminal cancer worsens, ‘Dilbert’ creator Scott Adams says years of conversations with Christian friends have culminated in his decision to convert to Christianity.

Scott Adams, the American cartoonist behind the internationally popular ‘Dilbert’ comic strip, has announced that he plans to convert to Christianity in the midst of his battle with terminal prostate cancer.

The decision, he said, follows years of conversations with Christian friends and a sober reckoning with mortality.

Adams, 68, made the remarks during a Sunday livestream of his show Real Coffee with Scott Adams, where he spoke candidly about his rapidly deteriorating health. Diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer in May 2025, Adams has repeatedly described his chances of recovery as “essentially zero”.

“I’ve not been a believer,” Adams said during the broadcast. “But I also have respect for any Christian who goes out of their way to try to convert me.” He added that the persistence and sincerity of those efforts had left a deep impression on him.

Scott Adams announces he intends to convert to Christianity in response to his friends witnessing to him. @ScottAdamsSays “I’ve not been a believer, but I also have respect for any Christian who goes out of their way to try to convert me, because how would I believe you believe… pic.twitter.com/FnbjthEnLS

— jay plemons (@jayplemons) January 4, 2026

Adams’ announcement quickly drew widespread attention, not just for his cultural profile, but due to the reasoning he offered.

Framing his decision in terms of risk and reward, Adams said he believed conversion was the most rational choice given his circumstances, even as he acknowledged lingering scepticism about Christianity.

A Rational Wager

Adams described his decision using language drawn from probability rather than theology. He said his understanding of Christianity was that living a “good life” would result in waking up in heaven — an explanation that reflects a common cultural assumption rather than historic Christian teaching.

“I do believe that the dominant Christian theory is that I would wake up in Heaven if I have a good life,” Adams said during his podcast.

By contrast, Scripture teaches that salvation comes by grace through faith, not by moral performance (Ephesians 2:8-9). Even so, Adams’ comments closely echoed what philosophers have long called “Pascal’s Wager”, named after 17th-century mathematician Blaise Pascal, who argued that the potential gains of faith in God vastly outweigh its possible losses if God does indeed exist.

Adams articulated the logic simply. “If it turns out that there’s nothing there, I’ve lost nothing,” he said. “If it turns out there is something there, and the Christian model is the closest to it, I win.”

While some Christian commentators have cautioned against reducing faith to a calculation, Adams framed his approach as one of respect rather than certainty. He said he was moved by the consistency of believers who genuinely acted as though eternal realities mattered.

“How would I believe you believe your own religion if you’re not trying to convert me?” he asked.

From Sceptic to Seeker

For decades, Adams had publicly identified as a non-believer and, at times, a critic of organised religion. In earlier writings and interviews, he explored alternative spiritual frameworks, including pantheism, and published fiction grappling with questions of God and meaning outside traditional Christian belief.

That long-standing scepticism makes his recent shift notable. Adams said the volume of conversations with Christians intensified as his health declined, particularly after doctors confirmed that available treatments were no longer likely to succeed.

“It’s all bad news,” he said in a recent episode, describing the latest scan results. Since late last year, the cancer has spread through his bones, leaving him paralysed below the waist and struggling with additional complications, including heart failure.

In December, Adams was hospitalised after losing control of his lower body and suffering severe constipation. For a period, he livestreamed his show from a hospital bed before returning to broadcasts from home later in the month.

Throughout that time, he said, messages from believers continued. He described their efforts not as intrusive, but as evidence of conviction.

“I have great respect for people who care enough that they want me to convert,” Adams said.

‘Between Me and Jesus’

Adams’ announcement prompted a flood of online responses, many offering prayers, resources, or theological guidance.

While expressing gratitude for the support, Adams said some of the commentary was counterproductive, particularly messages insisting there was “only one right way” to convert — a tone he said nearly talked him out of the decision altogether.

Later that evening, he drew a clear boundary. “I appreciate the outpouring of suggestions and questions,” Adams wrote on X. “But what happens next is between me and Jesus,” adding that he would not engage further on the topic.

I appreciate the outpouring of suggestions and questions, but what happens next is between me and Jesus. I won’t be responding to your well-intentioned messages on this topic. (There are a lot!)

I hope you understand.

And thank you.

— Scott Adams (@ScottAdamsSays) January 4, 2026

His stated intention to embrace Christianity follows a period of profound personal reckoning with death.

Amid worsening cancer pain, Adams had previously said he intended to pursue physician-assisted suicide in California as an option for himself. More recently, however, he said he had reconsidered that path, remarking that the reality was “not as cool as I thought it was going to be”.