Atheists, would you give up your lack of religion if forced to

[Squonk]

While it is a copycat thread to some extent, I believe it is actually interesting: are non-religious people also willing to sacrifice life for their beliefs? Can there be atheist martyrs?

 

[Virote_Considon]

I vote for option 21.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I don't get this forced conversion stuff. How do you force people to believe in God?

If pressed by candy or icecream I might say: "Sure, God, he da man", and try to make it sound convincing. But actually believing it as well?

 

[warpus]

You can take my freedom.. but you can never take my atheism!

(that means I would suicide bomb the hell out of the man)

(just kidding, I would just emigrate)

 

[SchoolzSoKewl]

Of course I would convert if I were faced with imprisonment and death. What would I stand to gain by not converting? I don't believe in an afterlife so dying for my lack of religion would get me no where or I'd be wasting my one shot at life away in prison. I don't care about religion, so why would I care if I had to pretend to someone else and not myself, that I believed what they wanted to go on living my life peacefully?

Also what are the numbers for?

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

I don't get this forced conversion stuff. How do you force people to believe in God?

Well, conversion isn't always about what you really believe; but would you say that you believed in God if the alternative was death?

And, regardless of your decision, would you respect an atheist who chose intellectual honesty over saving his or her own life?

 

[ParadigmShifter]

I'd say "Thou shalt not kill".

 

[El_Machinae]

Mate, I'll bow my head and mumble "amen" merely to be polite.

 

[Tee Kay]

I'd just hide my atheism until it's safe to reveal my beliefs.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Well, conversion isn't always about what you really believe; but would you say that you believed in God if the alternative was death?

Yep, in a heartbeat. I'd need less convincing than that even.

The presentation of my lack of believe in a Deity isn't that important to warrant much discomfort to be honest.

And, regardless of your decision, would you respect an atheist who chose intellectual honesty over saving his or her own life?

I thought this was an easy question, but it isn't. I deleted 3 responses already and have to end up on: it depends.

If this guy leaves a wife and kids behind by sticking to his presentation of lack of faith, I'd respect his courage, but I'd doubt his sense of prioritizing.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Another thing to consider is the circumstances; if it's just some religious-crazy with a gun, would that be a different answer from if it's an entire regime killing people for disbelief?

 

[Arwon]

Give up... lack of...

The double negatives are doing my head in.

On the topic - nobody can get in my head. The entire point of Atheism is I don't have to belong to a special club or think the things they do. If someone wants to make me join their special club that's probably ok.

 

[Disgustipated]

not sure I like the poll options. I'm somewhere in between agnostic and religious. Religious would imply I got to church. That's something I haven't done in well over 10 years. And that was only a one time thing.

 

[warpus]

Well, conversion isn't always about what you really believe; but would you say that you believed in God if the alternative was death?

And, regardless of your decision, would you respect an atheist who chose intellectual honesty over saving his or her own life?

From what I understand many people in the U.S. already do this - although for different reasons.. to fit, not to not be killed.

I've never been in a situation like that, but it'd probably be easy.

 

[Perfection]

What kind of candy?

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Another thing to consider is the circumstances; if it's just some religious-crazy with a gun, would that be a different answer from if it's an entire regime killing people for disbelief?

It also depends on the follow up I guess. Whether it's just a one-time statement, or forceful changes in one's lifestyle.

There would be situations thinkable that would have me ending up in an underground resistance group, lead by Richard Dawkins and Stephen Fry (Peace be upon Him).

 

[classical_hero]

It is very easy to pretend to be religious, so I don't see why any person beng forced to be religious, just go through the motions. Heck that is what some religious people do any way, so it is not like you are really being that different.

 

[Neonanocyborgasm]

Yes, I can fake convert to any religion if obliged to do so and still go about my business as if nothing had happened.

 

[ParadigmShifter]

Lots of parents in the UK suddenly become Catholics when they realise the best school in their area is the RC one

 

[MobBoss]

I don't get this forced conversion stuff. How do you force people to believe in God?

For that matter, how do you force them not to?