I can not speak for others, but in my case, I am not inclined to believe it when some king, shah, president, chancellor, prime minister, emperor, or grand poobah, tells me that it is my patriotic, or religious duty to sacrifice my life to advance his ambitions.
What are your feelings on this?
2007-12-12 06:00:07 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
I am actually referring to an old cliché. I do not believe it myself. I am just trying to get peoples feelings on it.
2007-12-12 06:20:30 · update #1
There is an atheist support group for US military personnel that is actually called "Atheists in Foxholes". Clever, huh?
2007-12-12 07:22:06 · answer #1 · answered by michinoku2001 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The phrase has nothing to do with anyone but the person in the foxhole and the fact that when in the foxhole you life is usually in danger. When people are in fear of their lives they tend to turn to god (higher power, etc.) Having been in combat as an infantryman (and being an Agnostic, I know not quite an atheist) I know that even the least religious men will surprise you with a prayer at the most perilous times.
2007-12-12 14:20:24 · answer #2 · answered by Rorshach4u 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because when you are under fire and see the likelyhood you might not make it out alive, it does something to you mentally to start to believe in a higher power, "God", to protect you and see to it that you come out alive and if you don't, to take care of your soul. You just don't want to die and think, "This is it. The end and nothing more." It's comforting to think your soul at least will go somewhere when your body gets blown aprart. It has nothing to do with kings, presidents, etc. telling you it's your duty to sacrifice your life. You're there, you want your life to mean something. That's why there are no atheists in foxholes. I've gone through it in Viet Nam. This is my perspective only on my life experiences.
2007-12-12 14:14:46 · answer #3 · answered by Pop D 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Your comments don't really seem to have anything to do with your question, although I must admit, I agree with the sentiments expressed in your comments. As to whether or not there are atheists in foxholes, I suppose it goes back to something Blaise Pascal said, something to the effect that it's better to believe in God and find out in the end that he was a fraud, than to find out in the end that God was real, and you didn't believe (at least, that's who I think it was).
2007-12-12 14:20:49 · answer #4 · answered by colder_in_minnesota 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you had ever been in "combat" and have to fight for the lives of your buddies and your own then you would know the meaning of there are no athiests in foxholes. and if you had ever served your country you would know its not so much about serving its more about saving your buddies your unit and if possible yourself. Has very little to do with "duty" to your country!
2007-12-12 14:12:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I joined for reasons of my own. I heard the propaganda and it only swayed me into which branch to sign up for. I say that my duty is to help myself and if I see others who WANT the help, I'll do what I can. Life has taught me that even though people are in need of help, they don't always want it. I love my country and decided that I would do my part instead of bitchin about how ****** up Bush is.
2007-12-12 14:07:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Considering the specific way you have worded this, I don't think anyone would want to do something just to advance some rulers ambitions if he/she did not believe those ambitions would somehow ameliorate the nation.
2007-12-12 14:05:44 · answer #7 · answered by Xenogyst 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
can you prove to me that atheists are not in foxholes ?
atheism has nothing to do with patriotism by the way...
2007-12-12 14:03:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are special Atheist foxholes - where they cannot cry out for God - if he exists.
2007-12-12 14:34:07 · answer #9 · answered by Inc.co@inert.co.org 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have been in plenty of foxholes and I'm atheist.
2007-12-12 14:04:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋