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Author	Topic: Why do most atheists or agnostics search for God in their last moments before death?	Topic is locked Back to Topics

lehat1 Champion Author Albany Posts:14,772 Points:1,578,465 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2006 10:55:38 AM Ignore lehat1 Report Abuse Here is a mild example of this behavior in the biography of W.C. Fields found in Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Fields spent his final weeks in a hospital, where a friend stopped by for a visit and caught Fields reading the Bible. He enquired as to why, since Fields was an atheist, to which Fields replied, "I'm checking for loopholes." In a final irony, W. C. Fields died in 1946 of a stomach hemorrhage on the holiday he claimed to despise: Christmas Day. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._C._Fields

lehat1

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Albany

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Message Posted: Feb 27, 2006 10:55:38 AM

Ignore lehat1 Report Abuse

Here is a mild example of this behavior in the biography of W.C. Fields found in Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

Fields spent his final weeks in a hospital, where a friend stopped by for a visit and caught Fields reading the Bible. He enquired as to why, since Fields was an atheist,
to which Fields replied,
"I'm checking for loopholes."
In a final irony, W. C. Fields died in 1946 of a stomach hemorrhage on the holiday he claimed to despise:
Christmas Day.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._C._Fields

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

CookieAcct Champion Author London Posts:33,833 Points:3,190,005 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 21, 2009 7:48:18 AM Ignore CookieAcct Report Abuse Although the time of death is approaching me, I am not afraid of dying and going to Hell or (what would be considerably worse) going to the popularized version of Heaven. I expect death to be nothingness and, for removing me from all possible fears of death, I am thankful to atheism. -Isaac Asimov
w@ntonsoup All-Star Author Denver Posts:941 Points:33,165 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2009 2:22:27 PM Ignore w@ntonsoup Report Abuse I think the evidence stacks up nicely compared to the evidence of God in the first place.
IDidItYahweh Rookie Author Virginia Posts:53 Points:5,675 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2009 2:16:38 PM Ignore IDidItYahweh Report Abuse Is there any evidence supporting the claim that "most atheists or agnostics search for god in their last moments before death"?
ldheinz Champion Author Chicago Posts:19,041 Points:2,359,845 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Mar 2, 2009 11:10:32 AM Ignore ldheinz Report Abuse "Although the time of death is approaching me, I am not afraid of dying and going to Hell or (what would be considerably worse) going to the popularized version of Heaven. I expect death to be nothingness and, for removing me from all possible fears of death, I am thankful to atheism." - Isaac Asimov (1920-1992), "On Religiosity," Free Inquiry.
PithyOpiner Champion Author Stockton Posts:16,215 Points:1,598,520 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2009 1:06:48 PM Ignore PithyOpiner Report Abuse I don't think "most atheists or agnostics search for God in their last moments before death." I didn't.
six_ball_man Champion Author Rochester Posts:8,549 Points:1,393,965 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Feb 19, 2009 5:07:33 PM Ignore six_ball_man Report Abuse They are gamblers that are hedging their bets.
cm_icc Rookie Author Atlanta Posts:29 Points:740 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jan 16, 2009 8:10:00 AM Ignore cm_icc Report Abuse what is the foundation for such a generalization?
alp Champion Author Portland Posts:17,906 Points:3,487,145 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Nov 26, 2008 6:03:24 PM Ignore alp Report Abuse It's very likely Fields was making a joke - it was after all his profession. And while there may well be some atheists who decide to consider a god near death, I suspect there are many more people of faith who doubt their beliefs as the end nears.
ldheinz Champion Author Chicago Posts:19,041 Points:2,359,845 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Nov 26, 2008 5:04:43 PM Ignore ldheinz Report Abuse I'm an atheist who didn't pray before, during, or after exams. To answer the question of the topic, they don't. It's just that religious people want to believe that they do, and religious people are good at kidding themselves, or they wouldn't be religious.
jshlfts32 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:1,902 Points:52,115 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Nov 26, 2008 4:32:53 PM Ignore jshlfts32 Report Abuse You are making a generalization of an entire group of people based on one person. I know one atheist who died last summer and not once did he actually pick up a bible and "[check] for loopholes." He died the same way he lived, a nonbeliever.
w@ntonsoup All-Star Author Denver Posts:941 Points:33,165 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2008 6:38:47 PM Ignore w@ntonsoup Report Abuse <~~~~~~~ I'm an atheist living in this era, who took lots of exams at school
ldheinz Champion Author Chicago Posts:19,041 Points:2,359,845 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2008 5:16:40 PM Ignore ldheinz Report Abuse Please stop yelling, outagasmangary. Be polite and undo the caps lock.
outagasmangary Rookie Author Ohio Posts:1 Points:120 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2008 6:39:20 AM Ignore outagasmangary Report Abuse THERE AREN'T REALLY ANY ATHIEST'S LIVING IN THIS ERA. TALK TO A GUY OR GAL THAT IS HAVING SEMESTER EXAMS IN COLLEGE. THEY DO PRAY TO GOD.
Liebemich7 Veteran Author Denver Posts:354 Points:74,930 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 5, 2008 10:30:03 PM Ignore Liebemich7 Report Abuse Because everyone is scared in their last moments, and don't want their death to be the last and final word.
cdrr Champion Author Kansas Posts:8,274 Points:2,313,625 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2008 7:42:19 PM Ignore cdrr Report Abuse data, statistics, etc...if you make an allegation please at least try to back it up a bit...and your anecdote doesn't even apply to your hypothesis...try again.
ldheinz Champion Author Chicago Posts:19,041 Points:2,359,845 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Mar 7, 2008 10:51:20 AM Ignore ldheinz Report Abuse I agree completely, BeaverIslander. The W.C. Fields issue reminds me of the fact that a christian sect bought Voltaire's home to use for religious purposes, as if that proves something.
Ramaniac Champion Author St. Louis Posts:11,391 Points:1,955,555 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2007 4:58:42 PM Ignore Ramaniac Report Abuse Whoops! Sorry! I was talking about the assertion that Atheists change their beliefs at death. It sound like an assertion that cannot be proved. I should have addressed my comment to lehat1.
BuzzBomb Champion Author Honolulu Posts:24,477 Points:3,495,955 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2007 4:48:33 PM Ignore BuzzBomb Report Abuse "But, all that being said, I'd guess that most criminals, like most people in general, consider themselves believers." I totally agree! Besides, aren't us atheists/agnostics too sensible to become criminals? LOL
w@ntonsoup All-Star Author Denver Posts:941 Points:33,165 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2007 4:43:48 PM Ignore w@ntonsoup Report Abuse There will never be a solid piece of evidence on the subject, because it hinges on someone saying YEA or NAY when asked, and they can change their answer on a whim. Are you Christian? Ummm... sure? Nah... I guess so.. Maybe? Asking a closed-ended question about something so unbelievable vast and ambiguous... just won't ever produce solid data. But, all that being said, I'd guess that most criminals, like most people in general, consider themselves believers.
Ramaniac Champion Author St. Louis Posts:11,391 Points:1,955,555 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2007 10:37:04 PM Ignore Ramaniac Report Abuse I do not know if you can make this assertion as you have no evidence to back this claim up. If it were true-fire insurance perhaps :)
w@ntonsoup All-Star Author Denver Posts:941 Points:33,165 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Jun 11, 2007 9:23:08 AM Ignore w@ntonsoup Report Abuse Ummm.... most people in America claim to believe in god. People on death row I'd guess are 99.99% Christian.
DevDuck Champion Author Nevada Posts:3,729 Points:868,795 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jun 10, 2007 7:31:52 PM Ignore DevDuck Report Abuse Perhaps the answer to this question lies in one of the key differences between the human and the divine: DOUBT Even the most resolute believer or non-believer has, at one time or another in their lives, had their conviction soundly shaken. Our deathbeds are as close to "Doubt's Ground Zero" as all of us will get.
BuzzBomb Champion Author Honolulu Posts:24,477 Points:3,495,955 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Jun 8, 2007 12:29:17 PM Ignore BuzzBomb Report Abuse ..and these deathrow people have what to do with atheists/agnostics? Let me answer for you...absolutely nothing!
Fleasonmyknees Champion Author Missouri Posts:3,840 Points:570,210 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Dec 15, 2006 7:05:01 AM Ignore Fleasonmyknees Report Abuse I have heard that old saying right before you get in an accident, Pun OMG
KatmanDo Champion Author Detroit Posts:12,813 Points:2,615,210 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2006 6:53:43 PM Ignore KatmanDo Report Abuse "would say to myself " God, I wish this was over."" Lol. Thanks for the chuckle, Fill-up!
Fill-up Champion Author Toronto Posts:1,907 Points:434,875 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2006 7:52:12 AM Ignore Fill-up Report Abuse Not only at last moments. Sometimes, like when I have a bad case diarrhea. I would say to myself " God, I wish this was over." What doesn't kill ya makes you stronger, though. Now, that I think about it. I will refrain from doing that.
KatmanDo Champion Author Detroit Posts:12,813 Points:2,615,210 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2006 10:27:47 PM Ignore KatmanDo Report Abuse "Why do most atheists or agnostics search for God in their last moments before death?" Just because one may have the clarity of mind to forego religion at normal times does not guaranty immunity from wishful-thinking at desperate moments.
igbo Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,319 Points:1,142,000 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Sep 19, 2006 2:17:56 AM Ignore igbo Report Abuse The Spanish filmmaker Luis Bunuel once said, "Still an atheist. Thank God."
LilBlueElement Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:1,412 Points:147,970 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Sep 16, 2006 2:34:12 AM Ignore LilBlueElement Report Abuse One anecdote doesn't exactly indicate a trend
sgm4law Champion Author Maryland Posts:18,825 Points:2,379,605 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2006 1:21:25 PM Ignore sgm4law Report Abuse Because they are hedging their bets.
w@ntonsoup All-Star Author Denver Posts:941 Points:33,165 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: May 24, 2006 9:16:32 AM Ignore w@ntonsoup Report Abuse All opinions are welcome. People just tend to get snippy when evidence or logic leads away from THEIR beliefs.
sven1 Veteran Author Cleveland Posts:493 Points:120,220 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: May 18, 2006 2:50:49 PM Ignore sven1 Report Abuse I thought this was a discussion forum. I gave an opinion that I thought it was a big stretch to make that assumption. She says I was being rude. I guess alternative positions aren't welcome when someone makes a point?
TrueBlue2 All-Star Author North Dakota Posts:606 Points:29,850 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 18, 2006 2:37:46 PM Ignore TrueBlue2 Report Abuse sven1--Why would you have a problem with zippylady's post? Sounds to me like it is just one persons viewpoint. You have a problem with one persons observations, and stating a possible conclusion from those observations? Why would you need some data? Can't you just take it on faith? A Christian bases their entire belief system on that. [Edited by: TrueBlue2 at 5/18/2006 3:39:41 PM EST]
sven1 Veteran Author Cleveland Posts:493 Points:120,220 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: May 18, 2006 12:00:26 PM Ignore sven1 Report Abuse Show me some data, lady. It's a stretch to conclude something like that. And if you thought I was being rude, boy are you sensitive!
zippylady Champion Author Toronto Posts:38,464 Points:2,780,780 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: May 17, 2006 3:08:30 PM Ignore zippylady Report Abuse Don't be so rude...it's not a "stretch" when the Mennonites are clothed differently or the Salvation Army folks are in uniform. He is their GP and therefore, has a lot of contact with their families. He knows a lot about his patients....many hospitalized people ask to be visited by clergy...that's charted and he has access to the charts when he visits them. You would be very surprized at how people "open up" about all sorts when they are facing illness or death. I used to be in nursing, people tell you all kinds of things .... everything you can imagine and more! Also, when you are hospitalized, your religious affiliation is noted on your chart! How's that for debunking your "stretch"?? [Edited by: zippylady at 5/17/2006 4:09:46 PM EST]
sven1 Veteran Author Cleveland Posts:493 Points:120,220 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: May 16, 2006 12:26:34 PM Ignore sven1 Report Abuse How many people tell their doctor if they are "religious" or "non-religious"? I think it is a stretch for him to conclude something like that.
zippylady Champion Author Toronto Posts:38,464 Points:2,780,780 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: May 14, 2006 10:19:59 AM Ignore zippylady Report Abuse If that's true about W. C. Fields, one person doesn't make it so. You'd need to study many more atheists and agnostics...anyway, they are two separate "affiliations"..why do you have them together?? Some are non-believers, some just not sure.
zippylady Champion Author Toronto Posts:38,464 Points:2,780,780 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: May 14, 2006 10:17:42 AM Ignore zippylady Report Abuse Here's something anectdotal to think about...my physician has been in practice for over 30 years and deals with people from all walks of life. He has observed that the religious folks, the ones who you would think be most comfortable to be "passing into the hands of their Lord" are the most nervous as death approaches. When telling someone that they "need to get their affairs in order" or that their illness is terminal, he finds that the "non-religious" folks are the more practical minded. He finds this very interesting....
RobDBlackwolf Sophomore Author Ohio Posts:141 Points:7,750 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2006 11:44:19 AM Ignore RobDBlackwolf Report Abuse Hmm.. I am not sure, but I think W.C. Fields, as fat as he was, does not count as "most atheists." therefore I would like to see more "proof" that most atheists and agnostics search for God before they die. But even if, does that mean they find him/her/it? It can also be, that instead of searching for god to be allowed in heaven, they are searching for god, just to know, but still die as atheists and agnostics. On the other hand, even if you find proof that they do, how could you verify that they actually did so, and it was not just a fabrication of their relatives who are left behind. After all, I can imagine its a bit hard to ask the deceased by now. And again again, there could also be the pestering of believing relatives who go on a crusade to convert the dying person, and they might simply give in to get their peace... before they get their eternal peace.