LOL @ "emotional outburst" - yes, clearly, I was/am soooooooo emotional over this. /facepalm You specifically stated that it was not irrational; I told you that it was, and I told you why. (At least speaking for Atheists.) If you honestly believe I'm emotional when this is all so light hearted, you really need to learn how to pick up on the tone of what is written a little bit more - it can be hard online at times, but generally a serious, emotionally intense post does not contain a "". ....
LOL, yeah, ships and planes should have a panic box with the list of the (how many?) gods that have ever been named.... just in case
Say a prayer so god can intervene? Why'd he let the tragedy happen in the first place? Ah heck, he's just testin ya! I smack my girlfriend around for the same reason. Hope she doesn't find out someday that I'm a depressed, lonely unlovable loser. Man sure created god in his own image alright.
There's a name for people like that. I'd like to ask them what they believe the possible reason is for kids dying, horrible diseases, etc. What possible reason is there for paedophiles, for example >.<'
I believe that some aethiests will turn to God in their last minutes or in times of a crisis, just from the fear of there being nothing after death. It is very common for people to become tempted to convert since it's easier for them to believe in some form of afterlife or something to go to if they believe their life is in danger. I suppose it's based on how strong beliefs of the individual are rather than the beliefs of all aethiests as a whole, as some are more strong willed and will accept inevitability.
If someone CHOSE to be an atheist just because they didn't want to follow any organized religion or recognize a god, sure, they may become convinced in the right situation. But for the many atheists who researched and dug to find proof so they themselves could know what to believe and realized the stories were about as real as the story that babies come by stork... you can't believe something you don't believe just by deciding to, even when facing death. The closest you can come is pretending or lying to yourself.
Reseg, the person you are describing in the first line sounds like an Agnostic not an Atheist, mayhaps.