It's an extreme "what if" but if basic life just began to "stop" for no explainable, scientific reason - photosynthesis ceased, bacteria started to die, etc - seeing as how this would foreshadow the death of all higher forms of life, would you even consider for a second that it might be some "higher power" at work, and consider praying with the theists... just for the hell of it?
(note: I'm an atheist, and I'm just curious)
2007-10-29 13:35:16 · 40 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
ok, I'm not atheist I was just curious to the answers. It was a good question with an expected result. Oh well, I guess we will have to trick you guys another way....LOL
2007-10-29 13:45:14 · answer #1 · answered by . 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I have faced death and in the few moments I considered it, I prepared to go "to the other side," but there was no cry to God, simply an acceptance of something that I could not control. I am sure it will happen again, and then I will not be able to control it either. If there's a God, I'll meet him; but I suspect that I will not still be "me" when that time comes.
Death is life's one certainty--no need to rush it or try to appeal for clemency. There is no reprieve for this particular sentence. Scientific endeavor is the best option, as there's a chance that such an occurrence could be understood, if not slowed or stopped. Prayer at this time seems to be a fear reaction more than a communion with God, if God indeed exists.
2007-10-29 15:04:18 · answer #2 · answered by Black Dog 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
LoL NO............ I'd assume so many of our smart a-- scientists need to find out and quick what the f-ck is going on. There would have to be a scientific reason for stuff to just start dying. I see no point in praying or what good that'd do so no. For a second would I think there were a higher power at work NO I'd be thinking somewhere along the lines of people have been trying to convince these dumb asses that humans are killing the planet or w/e lol
What would be the point or good of praying "for the hell of it"....none.
2007-10-29 14:00:34 · answer #3 · answered by Ebony C 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Nope... I would start looking at the causes...
Photosynthesis.... What happened to the sun.. or what's blocking the sun more likely..
Why are the bacterias dying... contaminants, photosynthesis etc.
Ecosystems have died out before the research into those events would give a good starting place to figure out a current event and reverse the effects..
There are far better ways to spend my time than talking to myself..
2007-10-29 13:46:46 · answer #4 · answered by Diane (PFLAG) 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Obviously enough that you're an Atheist because praying alone cannot save someone. Besides, what good is praying will be once those events are already happening, more than likely it's already too late. That's why, while everything is still healthy and proceeds with the cycle of life, you should start thinking about what to believe and what not to beleive. Then stick with it without any second thoughts nor doubts.
2007-10-29 13:44:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
The only reason I would pray would be to blend in with the religious fanatics. Because they would be the main suspects in this scenario. They have always been obsessed with the "end of the world", and actually look forward to it. People underestimate their destructive potential. A suicide bomber could easily be preached into breaking into a bio-weapons facility and releasing all the agents, believing that evil people will die and good people will go to heaven. All in the name of the god of their choice.
2007-10-29 17:11:51 · answer #6 · answered by phil8656 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you noticed? Most of the answers are NO. I do not know if I consider myself an atheist. I am Buddhist my practice and was Catholic. So, from my perspective it is difficult to just simply deny the existence of 'God' although my definition has somewhat evolved. Our practice involves the daily ritual of chanting and reciting the Sutra. Once in the AM and once in the PM. Within this daily ritual we have short prayers in between the recitations. The focus however is not to a higher entity that is outside ourselves but to a more deeper self focus. No, not praying to yourself but acknowledging the higher self and honoring that life and since that life condition exists within each of us, acknowledging and honoring that also.
I apologize for this long-winding answer, but I wanted to explain how I would pray. To finally get to your core of the question, YES I would pray but also increase my intensity and resolve. NO, I would NOT pray to a 'higher power' outside myself. For in my mind the power to resolve anything exists within us. WE may not understand it nor conceive it but we can believe it.
Thanks for your Q
2007-10-30 06:50:31 · answer #7 · answered by Just me 2 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Praying? Are you insane? I'd be far too busy seeking the true cause of the problem and attempting to devise a solution. ...just like every other rational thinker on the planet.
On an emotional level, there is not one thing I dispise more than pretending imaginary deities exist. I've wasted years trying to make any rational sense of religion and unsuccessfully attempting to pray to a non-existant Deity. At this late stage of my life, I'd blow my own brains out before I got down on my knees and prayed to the same evil God as those who willfully deny the validity of logic, reason, and knowledge. ...purely as a matter of principle.
2007-10-29 14:33:19 · answer #8 · answered by Diogenes 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No I would not. I would probably find some scientific reason for the situation, not blaming something that doesn't exist. More people should take control of their own lives instead of waiting around for some mystical answer that is never gonna come.
2007-10-29 13:40:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
no. I would conclude there was a scientific explanation for it, even if I lay dying and gasping for air as every last plant on earth died, perish the thought! I would more likely blame it on Bush and Cheney and global warming than the coming of the revelation rapture Jesus nonsense, and if I were to pray, it would go along these lines :"HOLY SHIIIIIIIIIIT!!!!!!!!!!!"
that would be as close to holy as I would get
2007-10-29 14:05:10 · answer #10 · answered by Lady Morgana 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
No, I would seek a natural answer. Perhaps the chemical components of earthly life were starting to decay, as these things can, and since all life is really recycling the exact same atoms as have always been used, it makes good sense to presume that these atoms can die, or decay, or what have you, and life can cease. I would look at it as though it were a further refutation of the God Belief, and the argument from design that such things were so imperfect.
edit:
Oh, heaven forbid a man suggest a natural answer to a hypothetical. If those of you who disagree with my answer so passionately as to thumb me down, then I challenge you to refute my point in your own post, and would be most appreciative if you did.
2007-10-29 13:39:36 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 3⤋