Hello friends, What do you think about this statement, “There is no ATHEIST in a sinking ship.†Do you agree with this? Can you explain this based on your own belief? One of my friends told me that he can only remember God once he is in a big trouble or he is experiencing a very complicated problem. So, how about you guys? Do you do that as well? I humbly want to hear your thoughts about this.
I don't agree, if "atheist" is the keyword. Your friend doesn't sound like an atheist, just a casual theist. An atheist doesn't believe, and pending death will probably not change that.
What about if you are really in the true situation that you are in a sinking ship, what will you do? I know some passengers will really pray to God. What about the Atheists?
I think that there comes a time in everyone's life, Atheist or not, when they feel compelled to pray - usually because something so traumatic is happening to them they just want to not feel powerless, or because on the off chance there is a god (I don't believe there is) that they might somehow stop the traumatic event from continuing. I myself have prayed four times - each time knowing that there wasn't a god, but still feeling better than doing nothing at all. The first time I was a child in a very confronting situation. The second time my love was in a war zone and lost contact with me and his family back home for 6 weeks. The third time was when my 15 year old friend was diagnosed with cancer for the 3rd time. He died when he was 16. The last time I'm almost embarrassed to admit was only 3 months ago before I had to undergo emergency surgery for the first time in my life. (I suffer a condition that makes even routine, minor surgery very risky indeed.) I prayed that if I died someone would take care of my partner and ensure he didn't fall apart. We all turn to odd things under times of great duress - I don't believe in God, though. It's like, I get drunk when I'm super depressed - I don't think that booze will fix anything; I just think a distraction and comfort is nice. That said - if I were on a sinking boat I too would be looking for life preservers; I was once on a plane that almost went down (we "recovered" only 300 metres up) - I didn't feel compelled to pray then either; I just grabbed my life jacket.
The statement is obviously entirely untrue. What is true, however, is that when it really matters faith goes out the window. I mean, how many religious people do you know who would favor prayer over medical treatment if they had cancer? So few have more faith in faith, so to speak, that when they do reject medicine in favor of faith it makes the news and the consensus is that they are retarded. How many opt for church instead of hospital when their child is sick? Would you? Time and time again the religious demonstrate how little they believe in the things they espouse. Every time they insure their house/car, vaccinate their children, go to hospital they demonstrate how little they believe in the power of prayer/faith. The ratio of religious people rejecting their "faith" in favor of real world solutions eclipses any atheists who might, when no other option remains, have a go at picking a god and asking for help. You'd probably find, even on a sinking ship, the religious spend more time trying to find a lifeboat than they do praying. Take the pope for example. probably the most religious individual on the planet.... Nothing says "faith" like 3 inches of bullet proof glass.
what a joke so you are atheist when circumstances suit you and cease to be one when circumstances change dear. this behavior is known as HYPOCRISY alexispetrov you are like the chameleon which changes colors based on the situation ..disgusting So dear Atheists What do you think about the above statement from alexispetrov ? is it true?
Sigh. new, you're really, really retarded sometimes. You seriously are. It's like the point just zooms right over your head and not only do you miss it, but you don't even catch a brief glimpse of it as it zips away. My belief system does not change; my point was that most people, along with myself, will act irrationally in times of severe trauma, fear, etc. I do not believe in god, however I have, four times in more than 20 years, cried out to a non existent god in moments of extreme stress, pain, etc. I am a person who believes that, for example, stabbing someone is wrong - I have however stabbed someone. Does that mean I no longer believe it's wrong? No. It just came down to a circumstance of incredible fear/stress/anxiety. (Just to clarify for anyone now thinking of me as a knife-wielding mad woman; I was living with my ex and day as I was pottering around the house while his daughter took a nap two drug addled idiots turn up on a bike and bash on the door - I open it and one has a knife, telling me he's going to go and stab my ex's kid - as a result I saw red, disarmed him, and stuck his own knife in his thigh.) Again - this does not mean that my belief of "stabbing people is bad" has changed; only that for a moment in extreme conditions it was compromised. Also - new, if it sits better with you, then by all means think of me as not an Atheist, but instead as Agnostic - hell, think of me as a Modern Satanist if you wish. (Before assuming that means I worship Satan, go read up on it, OK? Modern Satanism is about not worshiping any god, entity, deity, etc - only about certain pillars, such as not harming animals, seeking revenge on those who have wronged you, etc.) Lastly; I can tell you that no Atheists will be "disgusted" by the few abhorrent times I've wished there was a god - they're a very rational people, Atheists and Agnostics. Sorry that you are so emotional and outraged so easily. Have you considered popping a few valium? It might make you get a little less upset so easily
the point is really simple you are a self-centered, selfish and greedy individual and do everything that makes 'you' feel cool you give a damn about God but when the need of hour arises and you need to find solace than you start praying so when you pray to God don't you feel ashamed that how you even denied the existence of a thing like God and now are asking from the same very GOD? So, when the shoe fits The foot is forgotten, When the belt fits The belly is forgotten, When the heart is right "For" and "against" are forgotten. Remember Allah in good times and He will remember you in times of misfortune.
.... "cool", new? Seriously? That's what you're going with? /facepalm Let's keep it short on your pathetic little jibes, shall we? Self centered: As my concern when in these situations was only once for myself (I was four) and in the face of possible death my only concern was who would care for my partner if I were gone, I'll say that this is a ludicrous statement. Selfish is close enough to self centered that I feel the above more or less causes that theory to bomb. As to greedy; well, it's like you grabbed a bunch of words that don't match up at all with the circumstances under which I prayed and shove them in there, whether they fit or not. If it is greedy to want a kid I care for not to die, to hope my love makes it safely from a war zone and to hope that when I go he is cared for then hell yeah - I'm the greediest bitch there is - and proud. When I briefly cried out to "god" on these occasions I didn't feel shame, because there is no god - I merely shake my head, tell myself to get a grip, and do something more rational and productive - such as the most recent occurrence during which I shook myself out of it and called my mother, telling her that if I died on the table she was to ensure I was cremated, my ashes to be mixed with my love's when he passed, and that I would appreciate it if she would see to it that he was taken care of while grieving in terms of shopping, food, cleaning, etc. I appreciate that you are an incredibly emotional boy, new, but honestly - please try as much as is possible for someone who (painfully) clearly lacks a lot of life experience to understand, that this is not about you, and it has nothing to do with your Islamic god. In my moments of desperation I wasn't praying to a real god, only crying out from desperation - if I believed god(s) existed I would not, ever, even if the world was burning, pray to your "god". Seriously, you are wound up WAY too tight, and lack the experience (apparently) to understand how people respond during intense and traumatic events. Maybe it's time you took up drinking.
I don't really understand how trauma can exist if you don't believe in a higher power. So if we're only dolls made from clay, our death would just mean a complete reunion with the earth: How can this be traumatic? If there is no God, torture is nothing more than a test of your animal strength to stand up to interrogation as opposed to terrifying you into recognizing that you have little control of your eventual demise. If there was no God, there would be no fear. Glory that there be God, how terrible a world without fear would be. Imagine the day no one feared that you might become depressed if they abused you. That abuse is their alleged animalistic dominion over you, to which you should have no fear or saddness, but you do because you recognize how unnecessary this action is. When you recognize the need to conserve systems of energy, you will see God, and will fear disobeying The Word. Until then, you will be lost in your trivial problems and petty fears. Cheers, oh unbelievers.
I have fully understood your point. I believe this really makes sense. Of course, I highly respect the opinion of the others as well.
What a brilliant post turditine. Hang on, not brilliant, what's the word....shit. Why would you feel trauma if when you die you are reunited with your god in heaven and live forever in paradise? What's trauma tic about torture when it's just a test from your god? Your point is so retarded I hate myself, and you, for having to reply to it. We have this div noise we do in England, we put our tongue between our bottom lip and teeth and make a noise like we have brain damage at people like you. I wish there was a way for me to somehow convey that in a forum post.
How do Atheists comfort themselves if they are in a difficult situation as well as if they are lonely? According to some religious people, in times like this, they will just spend most of their times in the church and pray with the rest of the church members. Then, the head of the church together with the members will start giving many advices. How about for the Atheists?
Traditione; that's a bit silly - and I can guarantee you that placed in enough pain you would feel "trauma" along with every other human being; regardless of religion. Also, don't call my fears petty - it just makes you look like an idiot. If your mother was stabbed in the neck a few times would you not, however briefly, fear that she might die? If the answer is yes, you recognize my fears aren't petty. If the answer is no, I hope your mother is aware you don't love her ^-^; Your argument doesn't make sense largely because in it you assume there is a god, which can't be proven, but also because it goes against science. (How human brings react to severe emotional or physical trauma.) StOx's post basically conveys my sentiments too - I'm just more long winded about it. Networxnz - Do you in fact live in NZ? (Just asking.) Atheists tend to rely more on friends and family and the like than members of a group/cult/religion/etc. in times of loneliness. An Atheist might get together with friends for support and get their own advice from other people who have experienced the problems that they are going through - you don't need a god or church for that
It is not act which "irrational". In fact Islam has name for it. The correct term to call what you describe is fitrah (religio naturalis). This is something that will never change in human nature, and you will never be getting rid of.
.... Islam has a name for it so it must be a real thing! How silly of me No, it is irrational in my opinion (and likely that of other Atheists) who appreciate science and understand how the mind and body react in such circumstances. Just because you say it isn't irrational and Islam has a name for it, that doesn't change the facts in the slightest - it just makes me wonder why you didn't think up a better point :S
And your emotional outburst is supposed to be better point? I certainly didnt make any relation between the naming of "fitrah" with rationality...I simply state fact that Islam recognise concept of fitrah which you have described for us and which recognise by Islam 1400 years ago. "Irrational" or not is not the point. Everyone has the disposition to "fitrah", no exceptions. That is what I simply say. How about googling the phrase "religio naturalis" and "fitrah" first b4 you come here again with emotional?