Atheists and agnostics, can you give me an answer?

Question

(I'm an agnostic atheist, i.e I don't believe in God but I'm open to being wrong if better evidence presents itself.)

If you were in a failing jetliner, hanging off a cliff, something like that where there was no hope of escape, would you pray?

I think I would...I mean, I don't think it would do anything, but it couldn't hurt, and it's not like there's anything else I could really do.

Once I was back in my right mind, though, I don't think I'd be a theist. I have to arrive at a decision through logic and facts (not saying theists are illogical and ignorant) before I'll stick with it; a decision made in the heat of the moment is rarely a good one. For neutral territory, think of it as shopping. I might be tempted to grab something shiny and electronic off the shelf, but that doesn't mean I really want it.

Answer 1

I would not... I'd be too busy thinking of ways to try to survive, even if it appeared hopeless. I was rock-climbing once (a few years back) and had such an experience... no prayer... used my brain... still alive.

Answer 2

I agree with you that it probably doesn't mean much even if someone who doesn't believe prays when in trouble. It probably has more to do with human psychology and cultural training.

I was SCUBA diving once and got myself into a stupid situation. I stopped to look at an eel and my dive partner swam on. I looked up and they were gone so I continued on the side of the reef and turned around the corner to see if they were on the other side. I was immediately caught in a vicious rip current. It carried me a great distance very quickly and it seemed I was powerless to swim out of it. I started to totally freak and started gulping air and screaming into my mask. After a minute or two of this some part of me realized I need to get a grip. I think I might of prayed to calm my mind but I had been meditating for several months and what I did instead was start reciting a meditation mantra in my mind. I think this is about the same thing as praying for the nontheist. It doesn't necessarily mean you believe in a diety, its a coping mechanism. It was helpful, I calmed myself down and started using my head. I came up a long way from the boat though!

Answer 3

First off I am just me , I am not an atheist or anything else but me. I personally have never had the need to believe in God or have ever seen any sign of there being one. I wont say that there isnt one since who am I to say what there is or isnt in the hearts of people. God is a comfort to many people so for them god is real and like I said I have never needed to find comfort from believing in god. If I found my self in a certain death or close to it situation I rather doubt that I would spend my last minutes praying and would be more apt to finding a way out of the situation that I was in. I personaly find it rather a waste of time to pray for help since if you are starving and there is no food in the house sitting there praying for food is not going to make it appear. You have to get off of your rear and get the food. Now maybe while you are on your way to get some food you pray on the way if it makes you feel better or helps to take your mind off of the fact that you are so hungry then why not. I know this is really probably going to piss some people off but it is the truth and I am not trying to be crude but there is only one time I find myself calling out the name god or should I say calling out Oh God. is during lets say private times that I am sharing with my partner . Which I have always found to be rather strange because at that perticular moment lets say I am not in control of my thoughts. I am sure most adults understand what I am talking about. I really wish I knew why this is what comes out of my mouth at that certain time.

Answer 4

On one hand, the idea of praying to a non-existent entity makes no sense to me at all. On the other hand, having been raised a devout Christian, i really can't say that i wouldn't revert to this irrational behavior. Before meals, i sometimes still get the impulse to say grace--although the impulse quickly vanishes when there's nothing to pray to.

My past experience suggests not. As a Christian child, i nearly drowned twice, and was once mauled by pit bulls. As an adult, before and after my deconversion, i've been run off the road--literally--by insane drivers in Boston, Ohio, and St. Thomas. (In Ohio, it was an 18-wheeler against my listless rented Kia; in St. Thomas, motorists pass on blind mountain curves in the face of oncoming traffic disturbingly often.) In not a single one of these situations did "God" cross my mind. To busy fighting for my life to ask God to do it for me, i guess. But that still leaves open situations where there's nothing i can do.

(I too consider myself an agnostic atheist--agnostic because i don't know, and atheist because i don't believe.)

Answer 5

I never prayed in my life, so even if I were in a very deranged state I really would not know how to do it. I cannot say what I will do when I have to face death, but I think that fear is a bad advisor. I hope I can keep my mind and senses as long as possible. I'm scared of heights so I hope it will not be a cliff hanger of sorts ...

Answer 6

I believe in what you could call "God" as the Cosmos, a neutral force of creation -- nothing like in the bible or other religious books. Prayer is totally illogical. Things are what they are and we live with free will of our own and the free will of others. Prayer is a primitive instinct of ignorant man. The only power prayer has is on the person who prays, through psychological influence. We cannot have free will and then petition the Cosmos to change it on our behalf.

Answer 7

I am the same way (don't believe in god, but if I was proven wrong then I'd change my mind...nothing yet)

I've almost died plenty of times: totaled 2 cars, been shot at and other job realated incidents (USAF currently in Afghanistan...work with bombs and explosives)....I have never prayed when in the heat of the moment- thinking I was going to die. It just never came up.....however, they say "no one in a foxhole is athiest" ...haven't been that specific situation yet, so we'll just have to wait and see

...If I was to pray, it would be for good luck, and not to "god" eventhough I might say god- only for lack of anything else to call it

Answer 8

I confess~in moments of extreme trouble, I've prayed a time or two. I think, like you, that sometimes it can't hurt. Just in case. That does not, however, make me a theist. Maybe a hypocrite, but I can live with that. Most of us have flirted with hypocrisy on occasion, but not everyone will admit to it.

Answer 9

I have been in perilous situations in which I thought I might die, and I had no time to waste on such futile "ngao si" as praying. I save all my energy to use more productively, i.e. fighting to stay alive. Even if one believes in gods, they know what they will do before you pray, so you waste your time with praying whether you are religious or an atheist.

Answer 10

No. When I attend a religious ceremony (wedding, funeral, christening) I will recite the prayers, but I am not praying. I consider it performing. It';s like an actor reciting a character's line in a play: Saying the words doesn't equal believing the words.

Answer 11

I would be very conflicted who to pray to though, I'm too aware of all the possible gods. Maybe if I had time I'd work my way through starting from A to Z ;)