How many atheists here...?

Question

...have experienced severe loss or hardship without ever needing to turn to a god?

I just read an answer that claimed we are only atheist until times get tough, then we cry to god.

My mom died when I was just out of my teens, nearly 20 years ago. NOT ONCE did I waver in my atheism, neither asking for help nor blaming god for my troubles.

Any other atheists remain steadfast in the face of tragedy?

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Answer 1

Of course... several times (I'm no spring chicken.) I've read the "cry to god" thing too. Of course, it's Taurus Excreta - why would we turn to any mythological figure... to what end? And with me it's not "steadfast"... it's just natural - no big thing at all.
(I note below we get the standard Xian "burn in hell" thing... :-)

Answer 2

When I was very young, a terrible thing happened, and i became pregnant. I gave the baby up for adoption. Many years later, a good friend of mine died of an overdose. I have lost two grandparents. My husband was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis a year ago. Such is life. Bad things happen, people die, and get sick. Never did I think about becoming religious. You just cope, and think about all the things in your life that give you joy. I live in a beautiful place, I have a great husband, an amazing daughter, and my life is good, and slow, and joyful. My family is strong and close, regardless of the things life may throw our way. I don't need religion as a coping mechanism. I am strong, by myself, without any belief in a higher power.

Answer 3

Through all the tough times I've had, no, I never felt the need to turn to God.
But there may be some small precedent for that viewpoint. Prison, Alcoholics Anonymous, drug rehab, etc. These are places where people do come back to their faith, as they feel they have hit bottom and have lost everything of meaning in their lives.

Answer 4

You know, even when I didn't believe in God, was a religion hater I never turned to God, never even thought about it. And I would hear people talking about those foxhole prayers... and think ... "Oh geeez... what a bunch of malarkey". Same thing as has been stated, and as you have stated. And I have lost my entire family to death.. mother cancer, father emphysema, sister murdered, husband suicide, and so on. I have been in car wrecks, had a gun held to the back of my head during a robbery. I have driven off a cliff, been beaten and shot at stabbed, and raped. I have been through tough times and not once during that did I think to turn to God. I have no doubt that I wasn't the only one who wouldn't conceive of praying to a non-existent being. I also thought if that were the case, I wouldn't anyway because I basically hated all religions and religious people.
But........
Now I am a believer. Yup a born again Christian, and I keep thinking "man did I ever waste my time not believing." I am so grateful. So even if you aren't going to pray for yourself because you profess non-belief... God still loves you. He still is waiting for the day when you will see Him for who He truly is. He still believes in you. And you guys all have Christians who are praying for you when you can't.

Answer 5

I am steadfast in my atheism also. I have suffered many tragedies in the past 8 or so years. I have been the victim (now I feel more as a survivor) of violent sexual assault and I have lost many people close to me, most recently my best friend in the whole world. It has never been my way of life to believe in a god or pray to anyone. I have become the strong person I am today with the help of myself and the people in my life. I don't look down on those who practice organized religion (or even unorganized religion). My best friend who passed away was a devout Christian. I just don't want to be preached to. I am happy with my life despite the tragedies I have experienced and I, personally, don't feel I need an archaic text to justify it.

Answer 6

Christians like to tell each other that atheists turn to God in times of trouble because then they can pat themselves on the back and feel all superior. Of course, like most grandiose statements Christians make in regards to atheists, there's no truth to it at all. Maybe one in 1000 will turn to God if they're desperate or traumatized enough, but it's really rare.

Answer 7

I think that severe loss or hardship can make a person become religious or vice-versa, can make a person become atheist. In the first scenario, when we see someone we love dying, of course we try to find the answer why in God or some unknown entity. I heard once that when we dont come to God through Love in our heart, we will come to God through the tears.

Well, in the other hand, people not strong in their faith in God facing the death of a beloved one, normally give up believing, because they think He is not just and good by taking away that one person they loved.

It is all about how strong your faith is.

Peace!

Answer 8

I've never been faced with a tragedy myself...however I work with people daily who are facing personal tragedy and loss in their lives and if anything my atheism has gotten stronger.

It's heartbreaking to see a parent sitting by the bedside of a dying child asking why god will not heal their son or daughter.

Answer 9

I think some people just find it difficult to put themselves in other's shoes. Because something works for them, they appear to assume it will work for everyone.

But if someone says they don't like chocolate, you wouldn't keep pressing them to try 'your' chocolate because they are bound to like it would you? No, you'd accept they don't like chocolate and that we are all different.

Yes, I've had some bad days. But I didn't turn to God. Nor did I curse him. Because we're all different.
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Answer 10

Yes, my dad died when I was 22 after a long battle with cancer. I didn't feel the need to turn to religion or seek a higher power during that time. I realized that this is just the circle of life. I still mourn my dad today, and I know I'll never see him again. But that's just life. I'm thankful for the time I had with him.

Good question.