Atheists, would you die for your beliefs?

Question

Just to refresh the definition, an atheist is one who totally denies any existence of a deity or of divine beings.

I understand it is hard to say until you are confronted with a life or death situation, but do you think you would?

If you disbelieve something, you deny it. C'mon, answer the question, don't evade it.

The situation can be something like the Columbine school shootings(except beliefs reversed). Say you were one of the kids that had guns held to their heads.... would you say you were an Atheist and risk getting yourself killed?

Answer 1

Under that definition, I'm not an atheist.

I could be convinced there's a god, but I've never seen any evidence that comes close to being compelling.

If things deteriorate to the point where we have to fight to maintain that capacity, I think I would have been fighting long before for the right to love whom I love.

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

Answer 2

No belief, no dogma, no hatred, no oppression, no gods, no guns, no government, no prejudice, no imposition, no fear, no sin, no guilt, no shame, no supernatural, no masters, no hierarchy, no private property, no wage system, no countries, no hunger, no war. Wow I'm so negative. If the above is pie in the sky, like a belief is, and my sad demise could guarantee these conditions then I would shake off this mortal coil.
As an atheist I don't deny anything though you can prove that something is illogical. If tomorrow it was proved (scientifically) that Darwin was wrong and a new theory was PROVED then that would fine. It's a theory, the best we've got. It is not a belief. If this answer makes anyone angry or sad etc. ask yourselves why that is and ask yourself if that great philosopher Jesus of Nazareth would have been up in arms about it? From what I have read I have more in common with him than a lot of people who call themselves Xian. I guess we would disagree on the god bit though.

Answer 3

I must first commend your definition of an Atheist. Most non-Atheists get it wrong. However, in doing so, I would expect you to be more aware that Atheists wouldn't have a set of beliefs in virtue of being an Atheist.

With that said, I've been in a life-or-death situation a few times. I don't worry about the notion that there's no reason to believe in god. It never comes to mind. I think of what it'll take to get out of the situation.

Now, if somebody held a gun to my head and said that they'd shoot me if I didn't believe in god, of course I'd call myself a believer. My morals are based on preserving my values. And while I am an honest person, the instant somebody is threatening anything or anyone that I value (such as my own life) does not deserve the same considerations as other people....not every Atheist would agree with basing their morals on these points, so I'm obviously not speaking for them.

I would feel every right to hurt, even kill another person who would threaten my life. And if I'm willing to protect myself in such violent measures, why wouldn't I be willing to protect myself with dishonesty until I can safely neutralize the person in another way? It ends up having nothing to do with being an Atheist. It ends up having to do with keeping my values intact.

To give a counterexample for Theists to grasp, you might admit that it's the will of God if you should live or die from a disease or injury. With this knowledge, would you refuse medical help as overall pointless beyond (perhaps) pain relief? Some groups do, but most don't...and it isn't because you don't really believe in god's will. You do something *apparently* hypocritical because __________ (fill in the blank yourself; I'm sure you know your answer better than I do).

Answer 4

As your definition says I have no beliefs therefor nothing to die for.

However, there are some ideals and concrete things I am willing to die for such as my wife and kids, freedom etc.

Edit: Sorry, didn't read the definition well. Denial connotes that there is something to believe in so this is not a good definition of atheist. However, in all the situations that I can think of where I would have to die for my lack of belief, I'd think that it would be better to live and work to change the situation - or die later taking out as many as I can.

Answer 5

I do not correlate my view with something to die for. It is what is it, a view. People disagreeing doesn't affect my personal identity, so I suppose I don't react to disagreement the way religious people do. Granted we are used to the disagreement.


P.S. I don't know about anyone else, but I personally find the whole "deny" thing a bit rude, and ALL the damn dictionaries use it... It is SUCH a biased definition with an undertone of "of course we're wrong," rather then just being a normal, basic definition...people who don't believe in gods. Easy to guess all definitions were written by believers...gerr.

Answer 6

I would certainly die & sacrifice my life for the right reasons. Someone's threatening my family... a choice between my life or my g/f's... one of my best friends is going to be serious injured... absolutely, I'd throw my body between them and serious harm.

But then again... despite my religious beliefs - I think I may have a bit of a martyr-syndrome.

EDIT:

I guess I misunderstood the question. If someone were to say to me, "Believe or Die" - I could no more honestly change my beliefs at that moment than a devout christian could honestly renounce their faith in God with a gun pointed to their head.

Answer 7

When I was in high school, a girl I trusted with the secret of my atheism gossiped about it with her girlfriends. As a result, I was assualted four times by gangs of boys who imagined it was their Christian duty to beat up atheists. Before each beating, I was given the oppurtunity to renounce my atheism and accept Jesus as my savior. Each time I refused, as a matter of principle. Two of the beatings were so severe I did fear I might actually die. So, the answer to your question is yes, I would probably die for my beliefs -- a least I would've back when I was a highly principled teenager. These days, I'd probably just use my 12 gauge to blow their damned heads off. Life in prison really isn't that long anymore and I'm sick of living in fear of organized bigotry.

Answer 8

I cant imagine a situation of life an death decision based solely on Believing or not! With the exception of being tortured to death as it happened to many free thinkers during the inquisition.

Answer 9

your question makes no sense. Do you mean if someone puts a gun to my head and asks:"Are you atheist or not and by the way, I will shoot you if you say you are atheist". What will my answer be? If that's the question, then i will say, no i am not atheist. but of course i will go back to being an atheist as soon as the gun person is gone.
If you mean that god is going to kill me for being an atheist. then he is welcome to. I'd rather die with my free will and dignity than live in slavery.

Answer 10

No. Life is all there is. Do you not understand the first thing about atheism?

Apparently not. An atheist does not deny the existence of a deity because that would imply belief in a deity. An atheist DOES NOT BELIEVE in a deity.

Answer 11

I have an obligation to be here for my family and friends. So no, I wouldn't die for my beliefs. I'd say whatever I'd have to say to save my life. If that means saying that I believe in Christ, then fine, I would say that. I find it hard to believe that any other nonreligious person on this site would react differently.