Difference between revisions of "There Are No Atheists In Foxholes"

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*[[Atheism and social/interpersonal intelligence|Atheism and social intelligence]]
 
*[[Atheism and social/interpersonal intelligence|Atheism and social intelligence]]
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=== Atheism and debates ===
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As far as Christianity vs. atheism public debates, in recent years there have been a number of notable instances of atheists doing poorly in debates (see: [[Atheism vs. Christianity debates]]).
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In recent years, there have been a number of notable instances of atheists refusing to debate and many ascribe this unwillingness to cowardice (see: [[Atheism and cowardice]]).
  
 
== Combat readiness, physical fitness, military drilling and death anxiety ==
 
== Combat readiness, physical fitness, military drilling and death anxiety ==

Revision as of 12:24, August 22, 2019

Reverend William T. Cummings is famous for declaring There are no atheists in foxholes.[1]

Reverend William T. Cummings, who served at Bataan, is famous for declaring "There are no atheists in foxholes."[1] In addition, Lieutenant Colonel Warren J. Clear, who also served at Bataan, used the expression in an interview printed in U.S. newspapers in the middle of April.[1] The exact origin of the phrase "There Are No Atheists In Foxholes" is unclear, but it appears to be of World War I origin. [2][3][4]

Chaplain F.W. Lawson of the 302d Machine Gun Battalion, who was wounded twice in wartime, declared "I doubt if there is such a thing as an atheist. At least there isn't in a front line trench."[1] Hannah More wrote: "In agony or danger, no nature is atheist. The mind that knows not what to fly to, flies to God."[5]

President Dwight D. Eisenhower declared in remarks broadcast from the White House as part of a February 7, 1954 American Legion Program:

As a former soldier, I am delighted that our veterans are sponsoring a movement to increase our awareness of God in our daily lives. In battle, they learned a great truth-that there are no atheists in the foxholes. They know that in time of test and trial, we instinctively turn to God for new courage…Whatever our individual church, whatever our personal creed, our common faith in God is a common bond among us.[6]

In recent years the organization Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers has taken up use of the slogan "Atheists in Foxholes" as a list of those men and women who serve the country while lacking a belief in a god.[7]

Research study: Combat Intensity and Religious Behavior

In September of 2013, in the Journal of Religion and Health Brian Wansink and Craig S. Wansink published a study entitled Are There Atheists in Foxholes? Combat Intensity and Religious Behavior and the journal article abstract declares:

Abstract:

After battle, the moral and mortality stresses influence different soldiers in different ways. Using two large-scale surveys of World War II veterans, this research investigates the impact of combat on religiosity. Study 1 shows that as combat became more frightening, the percentage of soldiers who reported praying rose from 42 to 72 %. Study 2 shows that 50 years later, many soldiers still exhibited religious behavior, but it varied by their war experience. Soldiers who faced heavy combat (vs. no combat) attended church 21 % more often if they claimed their war experience was negative, but those who claimed their experience was positive attended 26 % less often. The more a combat veteran disliked the war, the more religious they were 50 years later. While implications for counselors, clergy, support groups, and health practitioners are outlined, saying there are no atheists in foxholes may be less of an argument against atheism than it is against foxholes."[8]

Atheism and death anxiety

According to a study performed in the United States by researchers Wink and Scott, very religious people fear death the least.[9] See: Atheism and death

See also: Atheism and death and Atheism and anxiety and Atheism and cryonics

On April 2, 2012, Science Daily reported that Death anxiety increases atheists' unconscious belief in God.[10] In a 2012 Psychology Today article, Dr. Nathan A. Heflick reported similar results in other studies.[11] For more information on death anxiety in atheists and other types of individuals based on brain research studies (including studies that examined the effects of stress), please see the article: Atheism and death

(Under stress, the brain's processing works in a way that prefers unconscious thinking.[12])

A United States study and a Taiwanese study indicated that the irreligious fear death more than the very religious (Please see the article: Atheism and death).

Relevance to atheistic/theistic thinking in foxholes

Due to research showing that death anxiety increases atheists' unconscious belief in God, Dr. Nathan Heflick declared in a Psychology Today article, "But, at a less conscious (or pre-conscious) level, this research suggests that there might be less atheism in foxholes than atheists in foxholes report."[13] For more information, please see: Atheism and death

Atheism and hell

See also: Atheism and Hell

The journalist and ex-atheist Peter Hitchens, who is the brother of the late atheist Christopher Hitchens, said upon seeing an art exhibit of Michelangelo's painting The Last Judgment he came to the realization that he might be judged which startled him.[14] This started a train of thought within Peter Hichens that eventually led him to become a Christian.[15]

Atheism and cryonics

See: Atheism and cryonics

Cryonics is a pseudoscience that tries to extend life or achieve immortality in a non-theistic way after a person is legally dead (Cryonic procedures are performed shortly after a person's death).[16][17] Atheists Robert Ettinger and Isaac Asimov, played a notable role in the founding of the cryonics movement.[18] According to The Cryonics Society, Asimov said of cryonics, "Though no one can quantify the probability of cryonics working, I estimate it is at least 90%..."[19] For more information, please see: Atheism and cryonics

Moral courage, emotional intelligence and troop/unit morale

In combat conditions, the bravery/cowardice of soldiers is partially dependent on moral courage, emotional resilience, and troop/unit morale/cohesion.

Brain study: Religious belief vs. non-belief - Anxiety/stress reduction

Believing in God can help block anxiety and minimize stress, according to new University of Toronto research that shows distinct brain differences between believers and non-believers.[20] See: Atheism and anxiety and Atheism and the brain

See also: Religious belief vs. non-belief - Anxiety/stress reduction and Atheism and the brain

According to the leading science news website Phys.org:

Believing in God can help block anxiety and minimize stress, according to new University of Toronto research that shows distinct brain differences between believers and non-believers.

In two studies led by Assistant Psychology Professor Michael Inzlicht, participants performed a Stroop task - a well-known test of cognitive control - while hooked up to electrodes that measured their brain activity.[21]

Atheism and anxiety

Atheism and debates

As far as Christianity vs. atheism public debates, in recent years there have been a number of notable instances of atheists doing poorly in debates (see: Atheism vs. Christianity debates).

In recent years, there have been a number of notable instances of atheists refusing to debate and many ascribe this unwillingness to cowardice (see: Atheism and cowardice).

Combat readiness, physical fitness, military drilling and death anxiety

In addition, combat readiness in military personnel is enhanced through vigorous physical training and military drilling. The more combat ability military personnel have, the less their anxiety.

Please see:

Religion in the military

See also: Religion in the military

Encycylopedia.com states concerning religion in the military:

Religion in the Military. For more than 220 years, religion and religious leaders have provided a source of strength and faith for a total of 55 million Americans who have served in the military forces of the United States. The rigorous demands of military duties—separation from friends and family, training in remote locations, battle, and the possibility of violent death—have mandated support for those who serve and who may potentially lay down their lives for their country.[22]

Study: Nonreligious soldiers are less able to cope with traumatic combat experiences

See also: Atheism and emotional/intrapersonal intelligence

The abstract for the Journal of Religion and Health article entitled Religiosity as a Moderator of Self-Efficacy and Social Support in Predicting Traumatic Stress Among Combat Soldiers declares:

Based on a sample of 54 Israeli soldiers (51 % non-religious, 49 % religious) surveyed upon their return from combat, this study investigates the moderating role of religiosity as a factor that may strengthen cognitive processing tied to the belief in oneself to persevere (i.e., self-efficacy) after trauma and/or as a factor tied to enhanced external social support that religious individuals in particular may benefit from by their involvement in a religious community. Findings revealed (1) social support was tied to greater resilience within the general sample; (2) religious soldiers were less susceptible to traumatic stress than non-religious soldiers; and (3) religiosity moderated the relationship between self-efficacy and traumatic stress but not the relationship between social support and traumatic stress. Implications of findings are discussed.[23]

There are no atheists on a sinking ship

See also: There are no atheists on a sinking ship and Edgar Harrell

A close variant of the phrase "There are no atheists in foxholes" is the phrase, "There are no atheists on a sinking ship".[24][25]

A close variant of the phrase "There are no atheists in foxholes" is the phrase, "There are no atheists on a sinking ship".[26][27]

For more information about the phrase "There are no atheists on a sinking ship", please see:

Kurt Vonnegut quote concering the saying "There are no atheists in foxholes"

See also: Atheism quotes

Kurt Vonnegut was a popular American novelist and short story writer. He was also an atheist/agnostic.[28]

Concerning the saying "There are no atheists in foxholes", Vonnegut said, “People say there are no atheists in foxholes. A lot of people think this is a good argument against atheism. Personally, I think it's a much better argument against foxholes.”[29]

Atheists in foxholes monument by the Freedom From Religion Foundation

Dan Barker, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation

See also: Freedom From Religion Foundation and Atheist organizations

The atheist organization the Freedom From Religion Foundation declares on their website:

The Freedom From Religion Foundation erected its monument to “Atheists in Foxholes” in 1999 at Lake Hypatia, Alabama. FFRF dedicated its second monument at the Rose Zerwick Memorial Garden and Courtyard adjoining Freethought Hall's new entrance.

The monument is dedicated to the many members of the military who were “atheists in foxholes,” as well as to all freethinkers (atheists, agnostics, and skeptics of any persuasion) who serve in the U.S. military.[30]

Recommended book

  • No Atheists In Foxholes: Reflections and Prayers From the Front by Patrick McLaughlin. Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 12, 2010), ISBN-10: 0785297820

Quote

"Tell the Territorials and soldiers at home that they must know God before they come to the front if they would face what lies before them. We have no atheists in the trenches. Men are not ashamed to say that, though they never prayed before, they pray now with all their hearts." - A speaker at a memorial service for a fallen soldier held at St. Matthias’ Church, Ilsham read from the letter of an unnamed chaplain serving at the front and quoted published in a British newspaper (Namely, 1914 November 6, The Western Times, Col. Burn’s Late Son: Torquay’s Expression of Sincere Sympathy, Quote Page 8, Column 3, Devon, England. (British Newspaper Archive)[31]

See also

External Links

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0609D&L=ads-l&P=15696
  2. There Are No Atheists in Foxholes, Quote Investigator website
  3. What is the origin of the phrase 'there are no atheists in a foxhole'?, Times of India, February 22, 2009
  4. "Discussion on Linguist List". Archived from the original on 17 June 2008.
  5. Hannah More quotes
  6. Dwight Eisenhower: There are No Atheists in Foxholes
  7. http://www.militaryatheists.org/expaif.html Atheists in Foxholes
  8. [1]
  9. Fear of death: worst if you’re a little religious?, World of Science]
  10. Death anxiety increases atheists' unconscious belief in God, Science Daily], Date: April 2, 2012
  11. Atheists, Death and Belief in God The Effects of Death Reminders on Atheists' Supernatural Beliefs, Psychology Today, Published on May 25, 2012 by Nathan A. Heflick, Ph.D. in The Big Questions
  12. Atheists, Death and Belief in God The Effects of Death Reminders on Atheists' Supernatural Beliefs, Psychology Today, Published on May 25, 2012 by Nathan A. Heflick, Ph.D. in The Big Questions
  13. Interview of Peter Hitchens - Video at Vimeo
  14. Interview of Peter Hitchens - Video at Vimeo
  15. Cryogenesis: A Review, Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science, In Winter 2012/ March 11, 2012
  16. Heaven for atheists - TheHumanist.com
  17. Cryonics and critics, The Cryonics Society
  18. Researchers find brain differences between believers and non-believers, Phys.org, March 4, 2009
  19. Researchers find brain differences between believers and non-believers, Phys.org, March 4, 2009
  20. Religion in the military, Encylcylopedia.com
  21. Religiosity as a Moderator of Self-Efficacy and Social Support in Predicting Traumatic Stress Among Combat Soldiers, Journal of Religion and Health
  22. A sermon preached by the Reverend Peter Edwards in Great Malvern Priory
  23. There are no atheists on a sinking ship
  24. A sermon preached by the Reverend Peter Edwards in Great Malvern Priory
  25. There are no atheists on a sinking ship
  26. Kurt Vonnegut, “Christ-Loving Atheist” by Dan Wakefield, Salo University
  27. Kurt Vonnegut quote
  28. ATHEISTS IN FOXHOLES, Freedom From Religion Foundation website
  29. [There Are No Atheists in Foxholes], Quote Investigator website