A hypothetical scenario/question for the atheists?

Question

Ok, you've had your turn of attacking me and my christian beliefs(not a religion because I am not relgious).
I have a scanario for you. I would appreciate it if you could answer sensibly. I will skip the silly answers. They don't bother me anyway.

You have been called to the hospital because a loved one(very close relative/husband/wife/child is dying.
Who do you pray to? How do you deal with your grief? What high er power helps you in your pain and sorrow?I've often wondered how you deal or cope with life's tragedies and heartaches.

Answer 1

Your assumptions come off as condescending. I believe that the act of death causes the survivors to take on a part of the 'deathee's' essence. This can be a painful process, but ultimately a good thing. There is good reason for this in social species. Since we evolve emotionally and mentally (in theory at least), it is important to keep a history and to remember sentiments of these people. It is the only way they live on IMHO.

Answer 2

It sounds like you've been bothered and its because your starting to really think, and these new thoughts make you uncomfortable. Yes Ive come to the hospital and watched death creep up, I take solace in the fact that death is apart of life and then I think about my own immortality. I always think about whether we ALL are enjoying what little time we have on earth, because I know there's nothing after we die. I feel worse for the young that die and never had a chance to really live long like me I'm in my forties, and have seen and done much and will enjoy more. I sometimes cringe when I here religions excuse or explain the death of the young or any death for that matter. Why religious people need this fictional place called heaven, is to ease there minds, that there is this place that the (GOOD) dead will go to after they leave this place. When has a creator ever revealed himself to earthling's I would have heard about it, and it would be without question everyone would understand that there is a god and he or she is the (ONLY) one. Enjoy while you live and breathe because that's all there is. Comfort the living who are effected most by the death or sickness of their loved one and remember many people die terrible lonely deaths and all the praying in the world wont change it.

Answer 3

I don't pray to anyone. Prayer is a superstition that doesn't effect events.

I deal with my grief by supporting the sick person and providing fellowship with other relatives.

No higher power helps me in my pain and sorrow. I used to believe in God as a kid, but it only led to confusion and did nothing to improve my moods or my life.

In response to life's tragedies, I take an appropriate time to go through the proper emotions, try to figure out why the tragedy or heartache occurred and plan my life in way to avoid such bad things in the future.

Answer 4

I myself had a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital. I went to the emergency room and recieved treatment. Couple of days later went to surgery had an angioplasty, and 2 stents put in. At no time during any of these events did I pray or think of praying. I did not see a "light at the end of the tunnel" or any such imaginary scenario. What happened was, I was given expert medical care by competent, educated physicians who were trained using the latest scientific technology and equipment. I would take this course of action any day over some person be they a religious clergy or not standing over me uttering some words of incantation in the hopes that some how these words would make me well.

Answer 5

1) I have NEVER attacked you or your beliefs.

2) You can deny it all you want, but if you follow the Abrahamic God and Christianity, you are part of a religion. Look up the definition of religion.

3) I wouldnt pray to anyone. I would deal with my grief via friends and family. They are the same that help me in times of pain and sorrow - I do not need any "higher source", as that doesnt exist to me.

Answer 6

It's called life. There's nothing mysterious about it. Clearly, this person is dying of something that we can't cure. Clearly there isn't anything I can do about. This person would want me to continue living happily. I'll move on, I'm not going to be stricken with grief by death, it happens. Now that doesn't mean I won't be sad for a while not having this person in my life, but I don't need to pray and hope things will be ok with out this person or pray and hope this person will get better, if they haven't passed. Typical Christian. You clearly underestimate atheists....
Why do you feel the need to pray for someone who is dying?
We all die in the end, and its just that. The end.

Answer 7

I don't pray to anyone I just look to medicine and hope they are doing all that they can for my loved one. There is no higher power that I turn to because I don't believe in a higher power. I use my will and friends and family to deal with tragedy grief etc.

Death of my love ones has never really upset me because I accept that its a natural part of life and so its expected to happen and I can deal with that.

Answer 8

I don't pray. Death is a natural process in life. Though I hope to avoid it for as long as I can, I do not fear death.
I deal with my grief without the help of any supernatural being. I remember the good times that I had with that person, I remember the laughter. I remember what that person means to me, how much that I love them, how much I will miss them. I try to celebrate their life for how wonderful they were, not just to me but to everyone they knew.

I do all this with the other people that I love. Talking to them about it openly (where they can answer) is more powerful to me than asking god for strength. We are all going through the same pain (differently depending on who the person was to each other). Your loved ones help you just as much as you help them.

If someone wants to pray, that is their choice and it does not bother me. A person can find the strength to get through something in any way that they can. My way is different than yours, but the outcome is the same.

Answer 9

Where in the Bible does Jesus tell His followers to respond in kind when mocked or attacked?

True, when the walls of Jerusalem were being rebuilt, Nehemiah 4:17 tells us "Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other"

but I don't think that really applies here, does it?

I think a more honest, legitimate question, not intended to inflame, would be, "Athiests, when confronted with loss and pain and sorrow, as during the death of a loved one, how do you grieve? God is such a real presence in my life, I cannot fathom life without...so I'm asking if you could help me understand."

Guess what. There are people who will still mock and insult. But you don't have to be one of them.

Answer 10

1) Christianity is not a religion? Since when?
2) You can't avoid them here.
3) Once again, we don't believe in gods. That means we aren't praying to ANYONE. Why is this such a hard concept?
4) Family and friends.
5) See above.
6) Reasonably, without the need to call on invisible friends.