Christians:If you were on the Titanic, and knew it was sinking, would you have faith enough give up your seat?

Question

I would. I'd have to find a way to die other than drowning though, like getting smacked in the head, or shot, or poisoned if there was time. The deep ocean scares the **** out of me.

Answer 1

Not the Titanic - but a true story

A convoy of three ships and three escorting Coast Guard cutters passed through "torpedo alley" some 100 miles off the coast of Greenland at about 1 a.m. on February 3, 1943. The submarine U-223 fired three torpedoes, one of which hit the midsection of the Dorchester, a U.S. Army troopship with more than 900 men on board. Ammonia and oil were everywhere in the fast-sinking vessel and upon the freezing sea.

The four Chaplains on board, two Protestant pastors, a Catholic priest and a Jewish rabbi, were among the first on deck, calming the men and handing out life jackets. When they ran out, they took off their own and placed them on waiting soldiers without regard to faith or race.

Approximately 18 minutes from the explosion, the ship went down. They were the last to be seen by witnesses; they were standing arm-in-arm on the hull of the ship, each praying in his own way for the care of the men. Almost 700 died, making it the third largest loss at sea of its kind for the United States during World War II. The Coast Guard Cutter Tampa was able to escort the other freighters to Greenland.

Meanwhile the cutters Comanche and Escanaba, disobeying orders to continue the seach for the German U-Boat, stopped to rescue 230 men from the frigid waters that night.

The four Chaplains were Father John Washington (Catholic), Reverend Clark Poling (Dutch Reformed), Rabbi Alexander Goode (Jewish) and Rev. George Fox (Methodist). These four Chaplains were later honored by the Congress and Presidents. They were recognized for their selfless acts of courage, compassion and faith. According to the First Sergeant on the ship, "They were always together, they carried their faith together." They demonstrated throughout the voyage and in their last moments, interfaith compassion in their relationship with the men and with each other. In 1960 Congress created a special Congressional Medal of Valor, never to be repeated again, and gave it to the next of kin of the "Immortal Chaplains."

Answer 2

I'm an Agnostic and I'd really like to believe I would give up my spot on a lifeboat so another child could be saved. If I were in the actual situation, though, I don't know how bravely I'd behave. Talking and doing are very different things. I agree with you that I would find a less painful way to die than hypothermia. Maybe I would chug whiskey until the boat sinks.

Answer 3

Enough Faith in what? Give up my seat on a life boat? Your initial question is further skewed by the followup info. I just don't get the connection.

I always feared drowning even though I was an avid SCUBA diver. In 1981 a friend and I were diving off Anilao, Batangas RP. My friend did not check his tank and ran out of air about 10 Min's into the dive. We got him to the surface and applied AR and got him to a hospital where he recovered.

Having survived this he told me that contrary to feeling panic he had a feeling of deep peace before losing conscientious.

I believe him but a watery grave still does not appeal to me either.

Answer 4

I would certainly give it up for any child. Because of the times, I don't think they would let me because I'm a woman and you know the rule was "women and children first". Having said that, I wouldn't be afraid of death, but afraid of drowning, or worse sharks, yikes! If I was being really spiritual, the thing to do would be let the unsaved take the lifeboats. That would give them a chance to change their eternal destination...But realistically , that probably wouldn't occur to me at such a time of chaos, unless there was a particular awareness of someone I was witnessing to at the time. In other words, I don't know what I'd do.

Answer 5

Its hard to know what one would do in times of such horrible tragedy. I would like to think that I would be brave and do something to help another. Only God knows. But I believe that in these difficult times the Holy Spirit will be there to help us through the horror. If you were wearing a life jacket you would have frozen to death not drown. Many of the people were buried in Nova Scotia that were found floating with life jackets on. If I were there and could help you not be so scared I would. I would hold you and pray and we would just go to sleep. God would open Heavens gate to us and we would never suffer again. Blessings.

Answer 6

I would like to think I would. I think that if we're faithful in little things, we'll be faithful in more critical situations. I TRY to remind myself that when rude people cut through stop signs when it's not their turn, or when a person just has one item and wants to go first in line at the store. If I have a hard time being gracious then, it will be even harder when my life is on the line. (Fortunately, the way people drive around here, I get PLENTY of chances to practice!)

Answer 7

As I recall the movie, people were not able to remain seated during the sinking of the Titanic. They were all clinging to the ship, or falling in the water, or drowning, or huddling in their life-boats far away from the others.

I loved the musicians for playing "Nearer My God To Thee" to bring comfort to the people during their ordeal.

Answer 8

I would have faith enough, but dying in the freezing water seems kinda painful 2 me. I would give it up 2 someone who needed it, though. I'm sure that God would take me peacefully and bring me to His perfect paradice to live 4 eternity.

Answer 9

Yes

Answer 10

Yes-hopefully so!! When my children were younger one of my favorite sayings to them was "What word is 5 letters - begins with an F and ends with an H?" Of course it is FAITH. I not only did this for them as children to remember - but also for me to help myself and my subconscious to always remember. It works!! Good luck in your search and always remember- FAITH!!!!!!!!!!