There are no atheists on a sinking ship

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A close variant of the phrase "There are no atheists in foxholes" is the phrase, "There are no atheists on a sinking ship".[1][2]

A close variant of the phrase "There are no atheists in foxholes" is the phrase, "There are no atheists on a sinking ship".[3][4]

For example, a sermon preached by the Reverend Peter Edwards in Great Malvern Priory indicates: "To refer back to the Titanic - it’s often said that there are no atheists on a sinking ship."[5]

Edgar Harrell, one of the 317 survivors of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, declared: "Clearly there were no atheists in the water that day. Gone was that damnable attitude of pride that deceives men into thinking that there is no God...".[6] See also: Atheism and arrogance

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the famous round-the-world sailor, indicated: “There is no such thing as an atheist in the Southern Ocean.”[7]

Quote related to the phrase "There are no atheists on a sinking ship"

George Orell declared:

After Titanic struck the iceberg the band began to play bright music, dance music, comic songs – anything that would prevent the passengers from becoming panic-stricken…[however] various awe-stricken passengers began to think of the death that faced them and asked the bandmaster to play hymns. The one which appealed to all was ‘Nearer My God to Thee'.[8]
Titanic's bow as seen from the Russian MIR I submersible.

Excerpt of a sermon related to the phrase "There are no atheists on a sinking ship"

See also: Edgar Harrell

Edgar Harrell is one of the 317 survivors of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. He was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps at the time of the ships sinking. He earned his sergeant stripes 73 years after the sinking of USS Indianapolis due to an honorary promotion.[9] As a survivor of the USS Indianapolis sinking, Mr. Harrell speaks extensively around the United States about his harrowing experience at sea.[10] He also co-authored the book Out of the Depths: An Unforgettable WWII Story of Survival, Courage, and the Sinking of the USS Indianapolis with his son David Harrell.

The USS Indianapolis is considered to be the worst case of shark attacks in history.[11] Most of the shark-related causalities came from oceanic whitetips which are one of the most aggressive types of sharks.[12]

The sinking of the USS Indianapolis is considered to be the worst case of shark attacks in history.[13] Most of the shark-related causalities came from oceanic whitetips which are one of the most aggressive types of sharks.[14]

Of the 1,195 crewmen aboard the USS Indianapolis, about 300 went down with the ship.[15]

The website Sermon Central gives the following excerpt of a sermon:

NO ATHEISTS IN THE WATER

David Harrell wrote a book telling the story of his father, Edgar Harrell. Edgar was one of the 300 survivors of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, the last US ship sunk by enemy contact in WW2. 600 of the 900 men who survived the ship's sinking were stranded in the water for five days - many with only a life vest - all facing thirst, hunger, injuries, dehydration and sharks. They all came face to face with fear and their own mortality.

Edgar testifies of those days alone in the ocean, 'Clearly there were no atheists in the water that day. Gone was that damnable attitude of pride that deceives men into thinking that there is no God...'[16]

See also: Atheism and arrogance

Edgar Harrel also declared:

You see maybe a body on an eight foot swell. And all of the sudden that swell breaks and that body comes down and he he hits you and he leaves that residue on you. And you see that and say, "Is that going to be me tomorrow or yet today?". And see you look up. And may I say, "There is no such thing as atheists in foxholes . There were no atheists out there."

Everyone prayed. I can hear one of those sailors praying today, "God if you are out there. I don't want to die. I have a son back home that I have never seen. I want to live, but we have to have help." So we prayed and we prayed and we continued to pray.

So the lesson that I have learned is I know that there was a higher power looking over me or I wouldn't be here today. And there is not a single day that I don't thank my heavenly Father for sending that Plane #1.[17]

The Christian apologist Gary Habermas wrote: "Double-blind prayer experiments: where people pray for others with terminal illness. Habermas admitted that most such experiments have not worked, but the three that he knows of that have indeed worked were cases of orthodox-Christians praying for the sick."[18] See: Studies on prayer

Videos of Edgar Harrell, USS Indianapolis Survivor

USS Indianapolis National Memorial

USS Indianapolis National Memorial

Excerpt of a sermon preached by the Reverend Peter Edwards in Great Malvern Priory

An excerpt of a sermon preached by the Reverend Peter Edwards in Great Malvern Priory:

“HELP!”

It’s the most commonly said prayer - and it always has been. And it’s pretty obvious when you think about it. One reason I suppose ‘Help’ is such a popular prayer is that it cuts straight to the point. It’s direct. It’s the kind of prayer you can say spontaneously, without any preparation. It’s also the one prayer that almost everyone - if not everyone - will admit to having prayed at some point during their lifetime. Even people who say they don’t believe in God. Well, if you’re in a tight spot - and who hasn’t been? - then what harm can it do to say a little prayer in your moment of need, whether you believe in God or not? After all, if God is there then maybe He will help. And if He isn’t … well, then you’re no worse off than when you started. To refer back to the Titanic - it’s often said that there are no atheists on a sinking ship. “Help!” We all say it from time to time. We say it to one another and we certainly say it to God. And why not? The Bible invites us - and, indeed, commands us - to ask for help. The psalmist does it all the time. The priests, judges, kings and prophets do it. Jesus Himself does it. Asking for help is an important part - and an essential part - of being human.[19]

Qur’an quote relating to "There are no atheists in a sinking ship"

See also: Atheism vs. Islam

“And when waves come over them like canopies, they supplicate Allah, sincere to Him in religion. But when He delivers them to the land, there are [some] of them who are moderate [in faith]. And none rejects Our signs except everyone treacherous and ungrateful.” - Qur’an 31:32

Atheists, fear of death and other fears

Atheist movement likened to a sinking ship

See: Atheist movement likened to a sinking ship

See also

Notes