Why does everyone say "There are no atheists in foxholes"?

Question

I am curious why Christians always say this. Have any of you ever been in a foxhole? Further, have you ever been in a foxhole with a proclaimed atheist who called on God? How did this saying get started and why is it perpetuated?

Note: My brother is atheist. He just spent a year in Iraq, in the Triangle of Death. I've asked him about this little saying and he laughed. He said he had no use to call on God. It would be a waste of time, hoping for something that won't come, when instead he could spend his time using means that actually could protect his life.

I know it means that at that time an atheist will call on God, so in a tough situation (i.e. in a foxhole) everyone will call on God for help. Thus, they say there are no true atheists.

Serena: You're right. I didn't mean to generalize. I should have said "many people".

Answer 1

For all you people who say “there is no such thing as an atheist in a foxhole” have you ever been in a foxhole?

Have you ever been wounded in combat?

When a Christian is wounded in battle what is the first thing they cry out?

“MEDIC”

WHY IS THIS? Is it because a medic may keep them alive long enough to get real medical help?

Where is there god then?

Answer 2

Personally I always wonder about how committed some Atheists are. I think it takes a great deal of faith to be an atheist in the face of peril like that. I think a great many people who call themselves atheist (please note I did not say 'all') are not so much atheist at agnostic or reactionary. These are the people who start praying in foxholes.

Then there are the 'hard-core' atheists. The ones who do not believe in anything beyond themselves and the world around them. These are not the atheists who turn to God in a foxhole.

(And I think some theists say it as a way of gloating a little. 'Haha, when push comes to shove the atheist will admit he's wrong. Neener-neener.' Something like that)

Glad your brother made it home. I disagree with his philosophy, but I am very glad he made it back from the sandbox.

Answer 3

Many poeple use this do to the fact being in a foxhole is very hellish and the only reason you are there is either because you are being bombed or because you are being shelled, both from what i understand are very scary. At a point like this one has to call on someone or something to help them through this and god is normally that thing. According to grandpa he would rather charge the beaches at normandy then he would ever have to go back into a foxhole

Answer 4

I had been with the Military for 6 years last time .... and believe me, I have been in a foxhole for many times ..... LOL .... kind of routine then ..... but then I never called on God before ..... sure I do get bored aiming that riffle at empty space, but then never once I had called on God.....

The story of no atheists in foxholes, that is just a Christian's fable. It is akin to "God loves everyone".

Answer 5

Your mind is all ready made up, so why ask? But consider: Soldier A. prays to God 1. for forgiveness and salvation if he dies. 2. for protection now if God so wills. **order of importance is 1 then 2. Soldier B. Says no prayer, knows as well as soldier A. that they could soon die. May or may not believe in God but if an atheist feels there could be at least a slight chance that there is a God he might decide that maybe faith, God, Heaven, prayer, isn't such a bad idea after all. Atheists way..nothing happens after death. Christians way..Heaven or hell happens after death. What's wrong with taking the Christians way? That's not the only reason, it's not the best reason, but it is a reason, PS..there is a God. The only God. Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

Answer 6

The expression was made by a chaplain during World War II. What it means is in a life threatening situation atheists become theists or believers. Soldiers don't dig foxholes anymore. But last night the same question was asked and a soldier from the Korean war said there are indeed no atheists in foxholes.
I hope this helps you.
Peace!

Answer 7

Why would an atheist care about such an expression? What difference would such a statement make to a professed atheist? Why would an atheist try so hard to argue against another's faith?

I don't believe in space aliens or leprechauns, and I don't waste my time hunting down those who do on the Internet so I can question, harass or belittle them. Since I don't believe in these things, they are really not that interesting to me.

If someone told me that aliens were plotting against me or that I had offended a leprechaun and was going to experience some horrendous tragedy, I wouldn't bother arguing about such things.

Now, if I had fears in the back of my mind that these things might actually happen, I think my attitude would be similar to that of the professed atheists on this site.

So who do you think you're fooling? Some may think that you get some sadistic joy in what you do. Not me; I think you are crying out for help. Every Christian who reads messages like yours wants to help you with the hole you must be feeling in your heart.

Everyone who claims to be a Christian on this site, of course, is not.

My brother is a Christian. He has spent 4 years in Iraq, if you count the first Gulf War. He is in Iraq now. I have never said anything about atheists and foxholes, nor has he.

Actually, I don't believe in atheists. I think that they all know God exists, but either are angry at him, hate him, or are trying to test him. They keep up the antagonism because they need the exposure to Christians.

That is why Christians try to answer you; they think you are interested, and they act out of a Godly love for you. They are able to discern the anguish you feel.

By the way, one of the reasons your brother survived in Iraq is because a lot of Christians were praying for him. I have yet to see anyone who believes in leprechauns or space aliens attack Christianity the way the so-called atheists do.

Answer 8

Everyone ? I've certainly never said that,and it's not a great idea to accuse all Christians of saying this,as you just did.
I disagree with your brother that calling on God is silly and a waste of time.But that's understandable,he's an atheist,and I'm not.
Yes,I know atheists who did call on God while in the service.But I do not think that all atheists do so.

Answer 9

Yes I have been in a foxhole and believe me when the bullets are flying over head there are NO ATHEISTS. You not only hear them but if they have tracers you can actually see the trails. I thank God for the service your brother has given to our country, but believe me sooner or later people in the military will come into situations where they proclaim the name of God when crying out for help.
I Cr 13;8a

Answer 10

It is nothing but religious B U L L S H I T!

I am in the Army and I am an Atheist! My attitude and philosophy will not change when I am in the middle east! Being in combat will not suddenly given evidance of a God! If anything it will confirm what I already know. There is no God. What happens in our lives is entirely up to us! A GOD DOES NOTHIING BECAUSE THERE IS NO GOD!

Answer 11

I've heard that this type of 'evidence from dubious anecdote or homily' is called ' Soapy Samism', after bishop Samuel Wilberforce the bishop of Oxford who screwed up in his debate with Huxley about evolution. it is a tainted, weak and pathetic argument with no factual basis. the fact that is constantly used shows either the ignorance of the proposer or the inherent deficiency of their position by resorting to unsupported and patronizing innuendo rather that evidential proof.