If an atheist or a theist were in trouble most would put their differences aside and help the other.?

Question

I would help anyone out in need reguardless of their beliefs. I think most would. Am I wrong?

Skeff, I totally agree with you.

Mama bear that's totally true.

Answer 1

You are absolutely correct. May I add that the differences really seem to be reserved for forums such as this. How many times when you meet someone does religion ever really come into play? It usually doesn't.

Edit: For Earl above me....I don't object to the words God Bless You, I have no problem with the Pledge of Allegiance, nor do I have a problem with In God We Trust. I also wish people a Merry Christmas. I guess I'm a pretty poor atheist.

Answer 2

I have thought about this before. When in a situation in which a fellow human being needed help, differences as petty as religious group don't come into play. If I see a man drowning, and I know he likes eggs overeasy, I will not hesitate to save him because I like mine well done. It sounds silly, but differences are differences. We are all human. Only in complex society where we are separated from reality, and caught up in our own little worlds, does something like religion even become an issue. But when it is something like life and death, we put that stuff aside, because no matter what we believe, we are more alike than different.

Answer 3

I don't think beliefs come into play when dealing with people in need. Either we are each the kind of person who helps, or we are not.

Someone shallow enough to refuse helping someone based on their religion, won't even bother to ask the question. They will find something else to object to first: the needy's color, or smell, or clothing, or gender, etc.

May none of us ever be that shallow!

Answer 4

Sure. I would expect all would do that.

The real question is how would the Atheist react to the "God Bless you" that would more than likely come from most Theists.

The Theists should have no problems with anything the Atheist might say. We are expected to turn the other cheek!

Answer 5

Wouldn't even think about it as an issue. I would still pull a drowning Pat Robertson out of the water. I might refuse to shake his hand because I think he's a judgemental, poisonous televangelist - but I wouldn't hesitate to help him if he were in trouble.

Answer 6

Most people are going to help when they are needed. Look at some of the big disasters - 911, Katrina, the tsunami - help came from all over from people of all types.

Answer 7

I live in New England. In the winter, we all must help each other. There's no other way to manage than to link ourselves together in community. Beliefs don't matter when you're stuck in a snow bank.

Answer 8

Why do they have to be in trouble to help each other out? Why don't they just help each other?

The theist should help the atheist... unless the atheist was trying to do something bad, like steal something.

Answer 9

I'd help others too. I'm Christian. Does anyone really go around giving prerequisite tests before assisting someone in need?

Answer 10

I believe you are correct! Human Beings are naturally prone to help others. It seems unlikely that they would even consider that they had differences at that moment.