Would you save the life of an Atheist? ? ? Three Simple Yes/No Questions.

[gospurs]

Lets say you're a theist that believes in some form of God and an Atheist is drowning right in front of you. There is a life preserver that you can (you have a choice) throw to him to save his life.

1) Would you save the life of an Atheist? ? ?

a variation to this question(depending who is reading it) would be to switch the roles and ask an atheist;
1) Would you save the life of a Theist? ? ?


Within the same opening scenario and after sincerely answering question 1 with a yes or no (an explanation or opinion is not required), ask yourself this;

2) Would you care about the religious differences you have with the person drowning ? ? ?

these questions can also be applied to issues of race, social class, etc.. And last but not least.....

3) Can you learn a positive lesson from your answers? ? ?


a yes or no will do for question 3, but an elaboration is encouraged...


Do
Differences
Disappear
During
Dreadful
Dilemmas



Do
Dey
?

[Crappo]

Yes. Anyone who would even hesitate to answer in the affirmative because of any religious position would have to have serious "issues" related to a sense of humanity that we all should share.

No. Religions are not the best things that ever happened to earth.

No. I already know the lessons through other experiences of long ago.

[loser]

1. Yes

2. No

3. Yes. You learn that life is more important than ideology.

[Cephus]

1. Obviously I would.
2. I wouldn't care what differences there were.
3. No lesson necessary, I'm a human being. What ridiculous things someone believes in has no bearing on whether I value their life.

[lsbskins1]

I have to do this...

1) Maybe. What if the atheist is a serial killer who fell off the ship and if I throw him/her the life preserver, he/she will kill me or some other victim? Nobody is any one thing in isolation.

2) Maybe.

3) Maybe. But only if someone can convince me the truly important questions in life can be reduced to simple yes/no answers/solutions. I do believe in the dignity of human life and on average, I would say that I would throw both theists and atheists a life preserver and I would not care about differences in religion/economic status/ethnicity, etc and no, I probably will not be taught anything new or important by considering these questions because I considered them long ago and am fairly certain I have already arrived at rational positions, but I would never say I can't learn something new.

[Crappo]

Wait I changed my mind. I would save the atheist but if the guy was a Christian on this forum I'd let God have him. Why risk losing a perfectly good life jacket?

[Muckraker]

1) Would you save the life of an Atheist? ? ?

I have to assume most Christians wouldn't. Nobody, in my entire life, has said word one to me about Christianity, Jesus, salvation, the "good news," heaven -- nada. And I'm pretty sure no Christian would make the mistake of assuming I'm already saved -- it's quite obvious I'm not.

Why would they bother saving my life if they don't even mention in passing that I should consider the future of my eternal soul?

[barts]

Perhaps another way to consider the moral dilemma would be to ask the Christian or theist if they had to choose between saving the life of a moral atheist whose life was devoted to helping people (as Christ did) or an immoral Christian who enriches him or herself by impoverishing and harming others but who was born again, having accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior, which person would they choose to save?

[Jack]

Neither. While they were praying for guidance the person would drown.

[gospurs]

Perhaps another way to consider the moral dilemma would be to ask the Christian or theist if they had to choose between saving the life of a moral atheist whose life was devoted to helping people (as Christ did) or an immoral Christian who enriches him or herself by impoverishing and harming others but who was born again, having accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior, which person would they choose to save?

Thats a great hypothetical that (when sincerely answered) exposes the essence of who we really are deep down, and how we judge others.

There are many ways, but....

Whats the best way to measure a man?

By a his actions or by his words?
By his label (christian, atheist, etc) or his character?

Which deserves MORE of our attention? ? ?

.

[Sum1sGruj]

Perhaps another way to consider the moral dilemma would be to ask the Christian or theist if they had to choose between saving the life of a moral atheist whose life was devoted to helping people (as Christ did) or an immoral Christian who enriches him or herself by impoverishing and harming others but who was born again, having accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior, which person would they choose to save?

The moral atheist, of course.

James 1:26
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

[Thanatos]

Atheists, like witches, almost always float or are at least capable of floating on demand. I float.

Medieval physics experiments proved that good Christians sink when tied up and thrown in lakes, and generally do not resurface in a timely manner. The Christian is a higher priority. This is a silly, silly question.