Random thoughts regarding (a)theism

[Rizen]

There is a scene in the show St Denis Medical where a doctor claims to be rationalist and an atheist and then during a complicated surgery he's seen praying to God and he says to the camera "there are no atheists in the foxholes". It pisses me off when shows do that or people use that excuse because it's not true: I'm the emergency contact for an elderly friend who's an atheist and she has strict do not resuscitate orders. Atheists don't have deathbed conversions.

[SYZ]

There is a scene in the show St Denis Medical where a doctor claims to be rationalist and an atheist and then during a complicated surgery he's seen praying to God and he says to the camera "there are no atheists in the foxholes". It pisses me off when shows do that or people use that excuse because it's not true: I'm the emergency contact for an elderly friend who's an atheist and she has strict do not resuscitate orders. Atheists don't have deathbed conversions.

Yes. I've always found that supercilious claim by believers that
"there are no atheists in the foxholes" to be total, unevidenced
bullshit. Just like their bullshit beliefs in the supernatural. Theists
who believe in an afterlife should be striding confidently across
battlefields knowing that their god will either protect them, or
will let them into heaven.

[pattylt]

I think there is an organization of atheist soldiers and their name is something like “atheists in foxholes”. Several years ago, they met with some press and explained how rediculous the Christian point of view was bullshit. They fought in foxholes and remained atheists.

[Dānu]

There is a scene in the show St Denis Medical where a doctor claims to be rationalist and an atheist and then during a complicated surgery he's seen praying to God and he says to the camera "there are no atheists in the foxholes". It pisses me off when shows do that or people use that excuse because it's not true: I'm the emergency contact for an elderly friend who's an atheist and she has strict do not resuscitate orders. Atheists don't have deathbed conversions.

Yes.  I've always found that supercilious claim by believers that
"there are no atheists in the foxholes" to be total, unevidenced
bullshit.  Just like their bullshit beliefs in the supernatural.  Theists
who believe in an afterlife should be striding confidently across
battlefields knowing that their god will either protect them, or
will let them into heaven.

Like much that comes out of conservative Christianity, it is pure projection. They can't imagine themselves being happy without fearfully appealing to God if they are in that situation, so they imagine atheists who they don't understand must feel the same way. People are easily tricked by their own confidence.

[Rhythmcs]

Wouldn't a conflict zone be a wonderful place for a benevolent god to spread some of that famous love? Seemed pretty thin on the ground to me.

[Dānu]

https://news.gallup.com/poll/711455/amer...nefit.aspx

[Whateverist]

https://news.gallup.com/poll/711455/amer...nefit.aspx

Hopefully the downturn is the result of those evangelicals who have come to realize a realized  'Christian Nation' would be as horrible for their religion as its proponents have been for the country since attaining power.

[SYZ]

...https://news.gallup.com/poll/711455/americans-say-religiosity-benefit.aspx

It's still pretty disturbing that 65% of Americans reckon that
increased religiosity would be a positive thing.

Overall, Australians are not looking for more religion. Only 15%
of respondents thought the country would be better off if more
people were religious.
                           [Australia Talks Survey, 6 October 2019]

[Unsapien]

The only thing that I really envy about religions is their sense of community.

My wife traveled the world as a nanny to the kids of the Philippines ambassador to Japan and then Canada and she said that she was always comforted knowing that whatever country she was in she would have a church community that would accept her wherever she went. 

Atheists don't really have that.

[brewerb]

The only thing that I really envy about religions is their sense of community.

My wife traveled the world as a nanny to the kids of the Philippines ambassador to Japan and then Canada and she said that she was always comforted knowing that whatever country she was in she would have a church community that would accept her wherever she went. 

Atheists don't really have that.

Agreed. I think it might be a quality that Whateverist is trying to convey in another thread. I see it as tribal, repeated independently throughout the world. Social evolution.

[Rizen]

The only thing that I really envy about religions is their sense of community.

My wife traveled the world as a nanny to the kids of the Philippines ambassador to Japan and then Canada and she said that she was always comforted knowing that whatever country she was in she would have a church community that would accept her wherever she went. 

Atheists don't really have that.

In the past I've found welcoming communities for atheists are Buddhist and Unitarian Universalist temples/churches. Although I get what you're saying: it's not the same.

[Rhythmcs]

It's a mass thing. It's easy to feel welcome...even when you aren't, when alot of people share your general beliefs. Think about how cubans felt welcomed by the christian nationalist big tent. To the point that an afro-cuban was the head of the proud boys. Now think about how they are definitely not welcome.

[Unsapien]

The only thing that I really envy about religions is their sense of community.

My wife traveled the world as a nanny to the kids of the Philippines ambassador to Japan and then Canada and she said that she was always comforted knowing that whatever country she was in she would have a church community that would accept her wherever she went. 

Atheists don't really have that.

In the past I've found welcoming communities for atheists are Buddhist and Unitarian Universalist temples/churches. Although I get what you're saying: it's not the same.

I used to go to a CFI (Centre for Inquiry, a humanist group) meeting every Sunday morning in a pub downtown a long time ago ( like 20 years ago) when my wife would take the kids to church. But it was just a group of maybe 10 people talking politics and religion over breakfast for a few hours.

[pattylt]

The thing is…you can get that sense of community from a bowling league, a reading group or a fishing club, to name a few. Of course, churchy people seek out a church but…does it always serve their need? I think sometimes yes and sometimes no. If it’s a no, do they continue to peruse it or look elsewhere? Again, both yes and no. Little by little, the church is being nibbled away as it doesn’t meet many people’s needs anymore. Those looking for friendship and faith inspiration are, more often, finding hatred and politics.

I know several Christian’s that only go to church for the holidays…going weekly became frustrated and tired of the bullshit. Especially churches that demand extra attendance for Bible study, mission work, food kitchens and daycare. People just don’t have that much time to make those kinds of commitments.

[SYZ]

The only thing that I really envy about religions is their sense of community.

My wife traveled the world as a nanny to the kids of the Philippines ambassador to Japan and then Canada and she said that she was always comforted knowing that whatever country she was in she would have a church community that would accept her wherever she went. 

Atheists don't really have that.

Well, I've travelled the world (obviously, as a lifelong atheist) and
I never once experienced any lack of welcoming "communities"
wherever I travelled.  In fact, religion per se never really entered
into any of my considerations or had any negative effects on my
positive acceptance—even in Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu or Catholic
dominated countries.

I for one don't—and never have—envied(?) any Australians' sense of
alleged church "community" here.  Our churches are full of bigots
and mealy-mouthed pastors and their fawning congregants, and are
breeding grounds of divisiveness and hypocrisy.

Why would I wish to be accepted into those sorts of groups?  I find
more fellowship at the bowling club, the snooker hall, the men's shed,
or even the local pub—places where religion never gets a foot in the
door, from my perspective, and that of most other Aussies.

[Rhythmcs]

Religions don't create community so much as leverage community.

[Gwaithmir]

[quote="Rizen" pid='491456' dateline='1781490122']
There is a scene in the show St Denis Medical where a doctor claims to be rationalist and an atheist and then during a complicated surgery he's seen praying to God and he says to the camera "there are no atheis in the foxholes". It pisses me off when shows do that or people use that excuse because it's not true: I'm the emergency contact for an elderly friend who's an atheist and she has strict do not resuscitate orders. Atheists don't have deathbed conversions.
[/q}

Rumors Of my demise have been somewhat exaggerated.

[Deesse23]

Wtf have you been?

[emjay]

[quote="Rizen" pid='491456' dateline='1781490122']
There is a scene in the show St Denis Medical where a doctor claims to be rationalist and an atheist and then during a complicated surgery he's seen praying to God and he says to the camera "there are no atheis in the foxholes". It pisses me off when shows do that or people use that excuse because it's not true: I'm the emergency contact for an elderly friend who's an atheist and she has strict do not resuscitate orders. Atheists don't have deathbed conversions.
[/q}

Rumors Of my demise have been somewhat exaggerated.

Welcome back! Yay!    

[brewerb]

Holiest of Cows!!! Damn glad to see ya wizard.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Rumors Of my demise have been somewhat exaggerated.

Nah, we know you too crazy to die, and tickets to the event would be too pricey for most of us.

[pattylt]

Welcome back! Hope you are doing ok?

[Rizen]

[quote="Rizen" pid='491456' dateline='1781490122']
There is a scene in the show St Denis Medical where a doctor claims to be rationalist and an atheist and then during a complicated surgery he's seen praying to God and he says to the camera "there are no atheis in the foxholes". It pisses me off when shows do that or people use that excuse because it's not true: I'm the emergency contact for an elderly friend who's an atheist and she has strict do not resuscitate orders. Atheists don't have deathbed conversions.
[/q}

Rumors Of my demise have been somewhat exaggerated.

Holy ****! I thought you were dead! Welcome back! 

[skyking]

The thing is…you can get that sense of community from a bowling league, a reading group or a fishing club, to name a few.  Of course, churchy people seek out a church but…does it always serve their need?  I think sometimes yes and sometimes no.  If it’s a no, do they continue to peruse it or look elsewhere?  Again, both yes and no.  Little by little, the church is being nibbled away as it doesn’t meet many people’s needs anymore.  Those looking for friendship and faith inspiration are, more often, finding hatred and politics.

I know several Christian’s that only go to church for the holidays…going weekly became frustrated and tired of the bullshit.  Especially churches that demand extra attendance for Bible study, mission work, food kitchens and daycare.  People just don’t have that much time to make those kinds of commitments.

They have to do all those other things to try and keep the hooks in. The bullshit veil is thinner than ever.

[SYZ]

...Rumors Of my demise have been somewhat exaggerated.

So pleased to see you back here mate!  Hope you're as well
as can be expected (which I know is a horrible cliché... sorry).

Now I have to cancel that bloody $200
pre-order with Interflora I guess?