Does "There are no atheists in foxholes." constitute evidence for the existence of god?

Question

If it were true what would it be evidence of?

For many years church folks liked to spout that line, thinking it constituted evidence of some kind.

Maybe they still do, I don't know, cause I stay the hell away from them.

Answer 1

There is nothing rational, logical or realistic that constitutes evidence for the existence of god.

Answer 2

The phrase speaks of our human ability for self delusion. We can ignore the question of God when we can ignore the reality of death. Those who reject God avoid the problem of God and meaning and purpose by:
1) doing little good deeds that boost the ego
2) keeping busy so as to avoid thinking about those things
3) focusing on little happy thoughts

But in the foxhole, all those things are stripped away and self deception becomes much harder.

Here's an analogy. A prisoner is condemned to die in the morning. All night long he jokes and laughs and has a good time with his fellow prisoners. He is happy as long as he forgets reality.

Now suppose this same prisoner is made to watch other executions all night long as he awaits his own. This is the foxhole experience.

Answer 3

No That constitutes evidence of the fact that some people have a talent for penning stupid cliches.

Answer 4

i don't think it's a very good argument against atheism, but is a pretty good argument against foxholes. in such a situation even the most rational person would say or do anything to take their mind off the constant threat of being blown to bits.