My husband who has a bachelors degree in Sociology said that even people who dont believe in God usually will?

Question

pray in times of crisis is that true? We were watching a documentary about an atheist lost in the wilderness and they interviewed and he said that he started to pray to God. Thats when my husband informed me that thats what usually happens when atheists are in a crisis

Answer 1

I assume since your husband has a degree in sociology that he realizes that Buddhism is an atheistic religion and we pray all the time. He may find this interesting.

Atheist doctors are likely to practice medicine among the underprivileged than religious physicians, even though most religions call on the faithful to serve the poor, according to the results of large cross-sectional survey of US medical practitioners published in Annals of Family Medicine.

Researchers from the University of Chicago and Yale New Haven Hospital report that 31 percent of physicians who were more religious—as measured by "intrinsic religiosity" as well as frequency of attendance at religious services—practiced among the underserved, compared to 35 percent of physicians who described their religion as atheist, agnostic or none.

I find helping people to be much more important than simply reciting prayers without backing them up with actions, don't you?

Answer 2

Even if it does happen, it doesn't mean that god exists... it only means that the person is probably falling back on what may have been a comforting thought at one time.
I often say, "oh, god" or "Jesus Christ"... I guess you would consider this blasphemous... but I don't believe in god at all... it's just habit.
People often do weird things in time of crisis. I wouldn't doubt some atheists would pray, but they know deep down, the prayer is just words offered up to empty air.

Answer 3

Well, having studied sociology your husband should realize that there are thousands of named deities worldwide not just one.

Some may, some may not, everyone is different. I never prayed when I was being raised as a christian and I certainly don't pray now as an atheist. Prayer is a useless activity when you could be looking for a way to better your situation.

Answer 4

Nope. Sorry. This atheist has been in quite a few crisis' including being near death twice and I never did anything close to praying to a non existent being. The only thing running through my head in times like those are survival. Sorry to hear that your husband makes ridiculous sweeping generalizations though.

Answer 5

Sweetheart, no body's ever called me shy! Alienated would be a more apt description. As a mature adult, I spend as little time with other people as possible. Roughly, I'd rather think my own thoughts, than listen to yours. I've been an atheist for 51 years and, until I discovered this forum a few months ago, have never had an oppurtunity to discuss atheism with another atheist. In H.S. I was beaten four times by gangs of Christian boys and as an adult I've lost two good corporate jobs because of my atheism. Many atheists live underground and keep strictly to themselves, out of fear of the Christian community. The reason there are so many atheists here is that we're all just thrilled to finally have a chance to interact with and read the opinions of other atheists. Atheism is important to me and it's a great pleasure to finally discover there are other people in this world who actually think like I do. Edit: It bugs me that a few have said unkind things about your husband. I mention my wife's opinions here in R&S from time to time and my feelings would be hurt if "they" insulted her like that. Please accept my sincere apology for the needless rudeness. Helpful hint: "I'm not being rude and I don't expect you to be rude..." sounds exactly like a parent threatening a child and elicits anger from those who expect to be treated as an adult, by an adult.

Answer 6

No, it's not true. My cousin is an oncologist, and works every single day with the suffering and dying. She told me that there's no more truth to that than there is to say that a believer will renounce God in times of suffering. There have been occasions when atheists have prayed in times of suffering, but it's not the norm. There have been occasions when believers have renounced God in their suffering, but again, it's not the norm. What people do or say during times of extreme duress is really not a reflection of their normal thoughts. I wouldn't say that a believer who renounces God in times of suffering has really always been a closet atheist.

If your husband said that, then how did he manage to get a degree in Sociology? I find it hard to believe that he would have passed the first semester with that sort of ignorance.

Answer 7

Actually, no. When there's danger or a crisis, the last thing an atheist thinks about is a fictional character that other people believe in.

Answer 8

Yes there was also a top Atheist activist, a woman in a bad way and she called out to God as well.
I wonder what they did with her.
I think that they worry so much about people following God that they trap themselves by worrying over it to much and blame us.

Live and let Live.

Answer 9

Listen HON! I too have a bachelors degree in Sociology with 30 years experience. I can tell you your husband is WRONG! On what does you husband base is generalisms??

Answer 10

I used to pray occasionally before I believed in God.