do you think atheist would change their positions if confronted with sickness/misfortunes/endlife?

Question

atheists, would your position change if ever you experience a reversal of circumstances? like if youve experienced pain, sickness, etc.? why?
theists, of course will say yes, just why?

Answer 1

yes of course many would but you always have die hards also

Answer 2

I have been confronted with misfortunes and my view on the Invisible Friend hasn't changed. I still don't believe in an Entity I can not identify with my five senses. In fact, you are making the case for non belief even stronger. How do you believe in an Entity that allows innocent children to be raped, molested, and murdered? This is your all knowing and loving entity.

Answer 3

Without going into great detail, I was in a serious auto accident about 10 years ago, and wasn't expected to live. At no point during any of my recovery and rehab did I ever change my position. I am here, not because of faith, but the ability and intelligence of my doctors, combined with my own strenght and determination.

Answer 4

Your question reminds me of the quote from Ingmar Bergman: "I hope I never get so old I get religious."

I cannot speak for the other 1.1B* of those non-religious in the world only myself. Your point highlights the silliness of religion. What kind of religion is it that scares its people into believing? Fear created religion and fear perpetuates it. Atheists believe in themselves and not in man-made myths and fables.

Let us use our energy and our initiative to solve our problems without relying on prayers and wishful thinking. When we have faith in ourselves, we will find we do not have to have faith in gods.
— Ruth Hurmence Green, (1915-1981)

Christians! shake off the supineness which your priests have created in you; dare to think for yourselves, nor suppose your God can be pleased with the sacrifice of your reason. The bended knee is not the attitude for study. Read the Bible with the eye of criticism nor of faith. Suspend your devotions, and reflect on the reception of your past petitions. Ask no more till they are granted.
— Emma Martin, (1812-1851)

There is something feeble and a little contemptible about a man who cannot face the perils of life without the help of comfortable myths. Almost inevitably some part of him is aware that they are myths and that he believes them only because they are comforting. But he dares not face this thought! Moreover, since he is aware, however dimly, that his opinions are not rational, he becomes furious when they are disputed.
— Bertrand Russell

Answer 5

So...you think none of us have ever dealt with pain, sickness, etc? Hmm...interesting.

Well I've had to deal the past few years (and will always deal with) the suicide of someone who I will always consider my soulmate, even if that term is just symbolic...probably one of the hardest things to deal with. Did it change me as a person? Yes of course. Did it change my views on religion/gods/etc? No, not at all.

Answer 6

No. I've almost died once and I still haven't changed my beliefs. I find it amazing that some will think that misfortune will make us drop our beliefs like a hot potato and run to theism. I don't know about others, but my beliefs are not a fad to just discard when times get tough.

Answer 7

Um, it's because I experience pain and misfortune that I'm an Atheist. So the answer to the question would be not only no, but hell no.

Answer 8

I've met more people who turned away from religion in the face of misfortune ... they will not accept that a supposedly "Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omni-benevolent" God could allow such suffering to befall the innocent.

Answer 9

Heh. Nice try - I've been both sides of the fence - good times and bad times. I live with an at time debilitating illnes that is incurable; they aren't even sure of the source of it.

The bad times have not made me turn toward a religion any more than the good times have.

Answer 10

No.

Don't you realize that many theists who encounter such situations turn AWAY from religion? They start to think about how God can't possibly love them or their family/friends. Whether this new view is illogical/wrong or not is irrelevant; they have it nevertheless.

Similarly, some atheists might try to turn to God in these situations, but it wouldn't be genuine. They'd just want a way out of suffering, and this is the wrong reason to believe in something.

But me? No. I need PROOF that God, whatever God is, exists.

Answer 11

I'd never change my position no matter how my life would be different the fact would remain that my brain would still works the way it does. So I could never believe in something I never believed in to begin with so how could I change my opinion?