***What does an Atheist keep in his emergency kit, 'just in case'...?

Question

If there is no God, but just the here and now, and as such, being prepared for all manner of emergencies, isn't it prudent to include something for the unforseen? Isn't it a contradiction to prepare and not prepare? Can you have no faith in God, yet your faith in nothing, gives faith in God through your non-faith and being prepared? So many questions can arise from this.

I'm really interested in how this turns out.

Answer 1

yep a cross

Answer 2

An atheist doesn't necessarily deny God, he may deny some personal God; but atheism is a little broader than most people conceive. In general, an atheist's faith rests in humanity, Protagoras and Nietzsche both brought the focus of reality down to man; Protagoras with his axiom, man is the measure of all things. Nietzsche's declaration, God is dead. For a true dye in the wool atheist, there is nothing supernatural to call upon, their hope is here and now, death is an end to that they know. Thus, for them preparation, has little to do with spiritual matters, and everything to do with mundane concerns. I don't think a person can be prepare for every possible variable, that is a tall order. However, for a Christian, they can rely on God to be prepared for everything and in fact anticipate any eventuality. The atheist doesn't have this same resource. So for a Christian can be focused on what God and expects from them and let God take care of any unexpected events. I think the Christian has an unfair advantage.

Answer 3

An atheist is a person who doesn't believe in anything that can't be proven or has no evidence. To not believe in the possibility of an emergency does not fall under the scope of believing in God unless you are talking about a person who within their religion believes that accidents, weather etc are all a result of God. They may not believe but they know they are no indestructible.
So I would think that they would have the same as any other person as far as an emergency kit just no bible.

Answer 4

The trick is to find the wisdom of the right way to live. If you understand the right way to live, then no occurrence will perplex you. To find the right way to live you must understand yourself thoroughly, as only by understanding yourself completely will you know how to act. For example, science has shown us that altruism is hardwired in the brain, something Buddhism understood 2500 years ago. The a large majority of people out there wonder why they are not happy despite success, never investigating their own feelings and invocations of those feelings. If they were more selfless and compassionate to others, with no thought of personal gain, they would be much happier for it. But the majority of people don't investigate themselves and continue on, perplexed as ever at their unhappiness. Being prepared for any event is simply a matter of understanding yourself such that you can adjust without friction to the needs of an event in an altruistic way. With that as the basis for your intent, who can blame you for any action as your adjustments are always to benefit others? This is more a Buddhist philosophy then an starkly atheistic one, but it counts ;)

Answer 5

If I were an atheist I would have a contingency idea that perhaps I am just an actor in life and am playing my part, so that I cannot REALLY get in trouble if I am wrong. To be a good actor I must convince even myself of things, even though I know I am just acting. This would be my strategy in the event that I am wrong.... and it would seem in the very back of my mind I've known all along that there is a God but was never conscious of it in my life.

Answer 6

In my many years in law enforcement I have assisted people who have been grievously injured or apparently dying, being faced with an insurmountable obstacle real or imagined, being literally scared to death and being, agnostic, atheist or true believer, and can speak, they almost all invoked Deity for intercession in one form or another.

Many years ago in a very busy trauma center in California, a student working in the ER would take note of the last words people spoke as they passed. He too made the case for the Deity as the last thoughts of a dying person.

I believe all of the above will be prepared when the time comes.

Answer 7

Believing in gods out of fear and anxiety (just in case) is not rational or reasoned. It is just a coping mechanism to dealing with trying emotional states.

It is not prudent, in fact, unless someone enjoys being anxious, fearful and depressed much of the time, I would advocate not trying to prepare for every emergency or contingency.

Living a life of "what-ifs" is usually what keeps psychiatrists and pharmaceutical companies in business.

What if someone thing bad happens? I'll deal with it, *IF* it happens, until then, I go about living.

Answer 8

Pretty much what you are expressing is the truth. How can you have no faith in God if He doesn't exist?

And as for Atheist emergency kit, I feel that they keep their godless souls in their so that if by chance God does exist. He will have to search for their soul to judge.

I think Atheist choose not to believe in God so they don't feel guilty when their behavior and morals are questionable. It's very easy to point fingers and judge as long as you don't believe in a Moral and Spiritual God and His ways, you feel safe to do as you wish.

Answer 9

This makes no sense. Believing that a disaster is possible and keeping a survival kit because you enjoy life is far more sensible than and has nothing to do with believing in a god.

Answer 10

What if angels sat on pinheads? Is philosophy for you a real search for truth or are you intent on just playing with words? There are more options than just "God" and "atheism." You need to broaden your horizons.

Answer 11

No. An atheist does not have "faith in nothing" they do not have the irrational beliefs which are dependant on faith.