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by Im Alec has abandoned this account on November 22nd, 2009
No. The concept of praying is not meaningful to me. As far as I am concerned, praying is just talking to thin air, or thinking about talking to thin air, neither of which is is a helpful thing to do.
by Djinn on November 22nd, 2009
If you mean to say have I ever called on the Christian God when at war, or any other hard time for that matter? The answer is no. I have called on powers that I believe in but I'm not Christian so as a non-Christian I've never called on the Christian God for anything. +3
by Friartuck on November 22nd, 2009
I don't think it is valid, no. Obviously there's no way of telling if it is at all accurate.
I have not prayed in a desperate time either. There is no point if the gods are what I think they are - ie: abstract creations of our own.
by Occams Electric Razor on November 22nd, 2009
Yeah it would seem that maybe just because of tradition and conditioning alone some people who are not religious (but were raised religious or at some point were affiliated with religion in some way) might revert back to prayer in a time of dire crisis...but I guess facing death some people might do it out of desperation and some out of reaction or force of ingrained habit.
Myself I have never been staring death in the face (yet), so I haven't found myself reverting back to seeking a god's assistance....but to be honest, looking around at all the death and destruction in the world (especially of innocents and children even)and all the people dying..even if I were a religious man..could I really expect god to save me?!
by Desiderata on November 22nd, 2009
As an atheist, I don't pray, even when the world seems bleak or when my problems surround me. I usually get over the shock and then tackle the problem head on. I don't pray becuase its just me talking to myself when I would do that. I am my own rock in crises. I have experienced some violent horrible things in my life, but each time I ran into a brick wall I got myself out of it or learned to accept it, so in those "foxholes" no praying occured. I hope this helps answer your question.
by Anonymous on November 22nd, 2009
Yes I have prayed, I did when I didn't know what else to do. And I was on a Christian camp, so I thought it seemed rather appropriate.
+5
by Sage Chexie at your service on November 22nd, 2009
ADDENDUM TO QUESTION:
If you do not pray to an at least vaguely Christian God, what spiritual or superstitious or supernatural (or anything) support do you call on, if anything?
by buttman on December 30th, 2009
The saying, just like any other saying, is certainly debatable. And no, I've never prayed in the handful of desperate times I've had. I'm an atheist--to whom or what
am I going to pray to? And for what?
What is a church pulpit used for?
by Answerbag Staff on April 23rd, 2010
| 7 people like this
Is secularism just another of religions ways of including itself with the non religious people?
by Ombliss22 on February 12th, 2012
| 1 person likes this
Which "sins" do you not consider that big of a deal? Why?
by AnonymousGirl on February 11th, 2012
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Can you believe a religious organisation is 'encouraging' non religious people to give money to religious organisations.
by Ombliss22 on February 11th, 2012
| 1 person likes this
Christians believe in God by their Hearts or Brains?
by LoverOfSophia on February 9th, 2012
| 2 people like this
You're reading Athiests, Non Christians, agnostics, undecided: Do you think the saying "there are no atheists in foxholes" is valid? Have *you* ever prayed in a desperate time? (please respect each other)
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Comments
what do you do then, in times of crisis?
"ADDENDUM TO QUESTION:
If you do not pray to an at least vaguely Christian God, what spiritual or superstitious or supernatural (or anything) support do you call on, if anything?"
by Sage Chexie at your service on November 22nd, 2009
Since I do not believe in such things (by definition, because I believe only in things for which there is evidence), there is nothing I can call on. All I can do is say "Oh shit" or "I wish...". Which may mean that I miss out on a source of relief available to believers, or may mean that I work harder on doing something about it rather than hoping God will fix it for me.
by Im Alec has abandoned this account on November 22nd, 2009
ty for your completeness in your answer :)
by Sage Chexie at your service on November 22nd, 2009
Alec I liked yout point about working harder to fix it yourself. As atheists we do not have the crutch of prayer to fall back on but I think it makes us stronger individuals because we have to depend on ourselves, there is no religious safety net or bailout program in crisis for us..we have to save ourselves. So we might miss one aspect of not being religious but we gain strength from our independence as well!
by Occams Electric Razor on November 22nd, 2009
Doesn't work for you Alec but it does me.
by Jesus is God on November 22nd, 2009
Jesus is God please avoid making comments that may discourage others from answering the question i put forth.
by Sage Chexie at your service on November 22nd, 2009
All I was saying is it works for me.How is that discouraging someone?
by Jesus is God on November 22nd, 2009
*may* discourage others from answering. "Doesn't work for you Alec but it does me." could easily be interpreted as a little snarky and passive aggressive imho. its a bit dismissive of his answer. if that's not your intent, then i apologize.
why would you say "Doesn't work for you Alec but it does me." .. are you trying to understand his perspective better?
by Sage Chexie at your service on November 23rd, 2009