The (rather silly) assumption that there are no atheists in foxholes, basically means that everybody, when looking Death into the eyes, will convert to God in their last seconds on this planet.
If you assume that in their dying moments, all atheists will convert to your religion anyway, why constantly feel the need to tell us about hell? Why warn us? According to the brilliant "no atheists in foxholes" logic, we're all going to go to Heaven anyway, right?
2007-12-18 02:43:50 · 24 answers · asked by ? 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Dead people can't tithe...
2007-12-18 02:52:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
I think you misunderstand the analogy. The point is, when you think you will soon have your body torn to pieces by a bomb, most people are fearful. Most, though I dare not say all, will consider meeting their maker, or perhaps even question their atheism.
How often are you in foxholes? Death could come upon you at any time. You may not have a conversion event or extreme situation causing you to question your atheism before your death.
Your assumption that Christians assume all atheist will convert in the last moments of their life is based on a false premise, as explained in the first paragraph. It seems you have created a straw man to knock down.
If you really want to ponder some questions with some substance, consider reading I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FAITH TO BE AN ATHEIST by Norman Geisler and Frank Turek.
By the way, the warning about hell thing may actually be an act of love by a Christian. Because I believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven, and the alternative is awful, I would be truly monstrous if I did not want to share Jesus with others. As a non-Christian, it may be difficult to believe I could really have non-selfish motives for telling others about Jesus, but I really do wish the very best for you.
2007-12-18 11:10:20 · answer #2 · answered by Dr. Paul 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not everyone dies in a war-time scenario.
I think it's a reminder of the human ability to be able to believe in something so much that it doesn't matter if your insane, and personally i believe in the encroaching minutes towards what one believes is going to be their end they steadily decline into a sort of psuedo-insanity.
This can affect people in different ways - for some it enables them to perform feats of dexterity and strength that previously would have seemed unrealistic for the individual.
For a few it makes them want to kill their friends.
The majority though, tend to just curl up in a foetal position and wait to die.
So essentially i'm saying that the events that you speak of occur because the person cannot handle the fact that they are going to die, and so force themselves to believe in the afterlife in order to accept death.
Granted, there will be those out there who have already accepted death, and the majority of these individuals will probably fall into the first category of 'stronger, faster, etc' when faced with death (Which can ultimatly postpone the event of the individual's demise, with a little cunning - so as i've said before, a person who accepts death has a better chance of escaping it).
2007-12-18 10:50:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, to begin, I don't think the axiom about atheists in foxholes is in the Bible, nor is it one of the great truths of history, nor is it brilliant logic. Moreover, the Christian knows that no one will convert to Christianity because they are facing death. Only those enabled by God will come to believe, and it matters not if they're in a foxhole.
2007-12-18 10:54:35 · answer #4 · answered by joseph8638 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
A guy I know who is a lifelong atheist is a Marine, is in the most dangerous part of Iraq right now, and is frequently the guy who busts into suspected terrorist locations at the front of the line. He's still an atheist.
2007-12-18 10:53:43 · answer #5 · answered by AngFlowr 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I can tell you for a fact that the "no atheists in foxholes" argument is false.
2007-12-18 10:56:56 · answer #6 · answered by darwinsfriend3 AM 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You don't necessarily die in a foxhole, and you can be killed instantly in an auto accident. YOUR assumption that you GET to look death square in the face is also silly.
2007-12-18 10:50:11 · answer #7 · answered by Michelle C 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
The only time I was close to death was when a canoe I was in dumped me in a fast-moving part of a river. I clung to a branch and the only thing that popped into my head was how it was going to be reported sadly on the evening news.
2007-12-18 10:50:28 · answer #8 · answered by ~Smirk~ Resurrected 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
They say there are no atheists in foxholes but then the Pope blames all the wars of the 20th century on atheists. How do atheists fight wars if they won't go into foxholes???
2007-12-18 10:47:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 3⤋
Ok this one went way over your head didn't it?
That particular phrase really does not mean that once faced with death you are going to convert and be saved
Its a euphemism back in the war and in present wars when you are in a fox hole and the are bombing the hell out of the place you hear alot of people yelling jesus and god this or god that
its a freaking JOKE get over it
2007-12-18 10:48:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
However, remember that sometimes you will not have any time to look death in the face- you could die instantly- so that is why you need to know Jesus before it is too late- Look at this way, I HAD TO DO THE SAME THING- I am not pointing fingers here.
2007-12-18 10:52:52 · answer #11 · answered by AdoreHim 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋