christ-on-a-stick

I am interested in hearing any-and-all's thoughts on the following scenario, but particularly theists "of all flavours".

One of the common threads I've noticed in many fellow atheists' accounts of deconversion is that as opposed to being "angry at God" or some such ?!#$%^&, there was for many of us a fairly substantial period of wanting God to be real, and praying fervently for him to "show himself" to us, and searching for Truth (TM) before coming to the conclusion that our prayers were indeed nothing but "vain protestations to an empty sky" and going on with our lives.

I have, of course, heard from many Xians (and I know others have as well) that this just means we were never True Christians (TM) if we came to the reasoned conclusion that God just didn't exist, or that we weren't really seeking him in earnest. Setting aside the obvious arrogance and condescension of such sentiments, I have found that in the big picture it doesn't *really* matter to me if some people see it this way, since I KNOW that I did indeed search, with my whole "heart", and every expectation of being met with some sort of revelation or epiphany. Never happened; but I know I was open to it and in fact hoped for it.

That being said, I have often wondered if I might not, faced with some sort of pre-knowledge of death, be irrational and "hedge my bets" so to speak by doing some kind of last-minute what-if quickie prayer. (*Note to theists: Please do NOT try and use this as some kind of "See! There ARE no atheists in foxholes" argument... I have actually been in a life-threatening situation (held at gunpoint - long freakin' story) since my deconversion and it DIDN'T occur to me to pray or think of God, I am just mulling over a hypothetical situation of being in a life-threating situation again and it occurring to me.) I'm thinking of something along the lines of knowing that death is imminent (say having to choose to jump from a burning building) but there is still at little time to think things like this over.

To get to the point.. in such a scenario, say I were to do a quick prayer something like this:

"God, if you're there, and Christianity is true, I am sorry for my sins and ask for your forgiveness... I accept Jesus as my savior."
THEN:
"Allah, if you're there, and Islam is true, I repent of my sins and accept Mohammed as your One True Prophet".
THEN:
"God, if you're there, and Christianity is false but Judaism is true, please forgive my transgressions against You and welcome me into your Kingdom". (OK obviously I don't know much about Judaism! So sue me...)
THEN:
"God, if you're there, and the Catholic version is true, then Bless Me Mary For I Have Sinned... (etc. etc.... I guess I would have to learn more about their "requirements" LOL)

In any case, what I want to know (from theists mostly but I AM interested in others' thoughts as well) - would God (of whatever variety) accept this "death-bed" request for salvation?

If not, why not?

Fire Away!!!

P.S. I forgot to add this and I hope it won't seem too rude - but
Amos , no offense but I would rather you didn't lend your unique perspective to this thread as, frankly, it makes my head hurt

Jayjay

Most gods don't accept death-bed conversions anyway, but expect that you've actually done something concrete while being alive. If Islam is correct, your sins are weighed against your good deeds for example, regardless of what you believed (of course, believing itself is considered a "good deed"...). I also suspect that gods who would accept "if-then" conversions would be those that wouldn't care about it anyway; God should know what you'd do in a given situation even if you don't explicitly say it.

(Note, I'm not a theist.)

jayh

While that makes sense, it's ironic that theists often seem to love to quote alleged 'death bed conversions' as proof that people believed in god.

If I were a hostage and potentiallyabout to be killed, I might be tempted to be relatively polite to my captors, perhaps even agreeing with whatever they were claiming, I don't think that would make me a believer or true buddy though.

j

Amos

Sorry christ-on-a-stick and I'll make it easy for you.

None of the above will get you there but a timely non rational uttering will. Your desire itself is the enemy and so it is beyond your world of finite riches that the infinite peace must befall your troubled spirit.

Since when do Catholics have a "sinners prayer" of sort? or are you trying to be protestant in a Catholic church? Isn't that like playing soccer on a football field?

Radorth

If you repent and decide to give him all you have, and admit it ain't much except your faith, of course he will save you. We have the example of the thief on the cross next to Jesus which of course we find nowhere else, or pointed out by any but Protestants. Note the thief called him "Lord" and was not a good Catholic.

Rad

Amos

Would that not be a rational decision and therefore not quite all?

Magus55

In that scenario, no i don't think it would help because God would know you aren't sincere - you are just covering your grounds so you don't end up in Hell.

If you pray to every religions god - obviously you don't truly believe in Jesus. I believe in Jesus completely and i know personally that Christianity is the true religion - not to mention after reading into other non Judeo-Christian religions - i wouldn't want to be in their Heaven anyway ( Islam's whore house for example - no thanks) I'll stick with Jesus.

Although a sincere death bed confession can still save you - if you are on your death bed and you sincerely confess your sins over to Jesus and ask his forgiveness and believe in him, you will be saved - the only time its too late is when your dead. Best example is the Theif on the cross next to Jesus. He was crucified by Jesus and even though up until that point he was a criminal - he believe in Jesus' message and knew who he said he was - Jesus told the thief you will be with me in Heaven.

lisarea

In fact, it used to be quite a sport. Christians have been known for harassing and cajoling ailing atheists on their deathbeds, and, if they can't wrench a conversion out of them, they make it up.

Deathbed Conversions

oriecat

Jesus crucified somebody?! That is just so wrong.

Forgive me, I couldn't help myself.

philechat

Alas, the writer Hermann Hesse once wrote in his Damian that the repenting thief was the most annoying person in the Bible. He said that the unrepentent thief had real character, he stood abided to his character, and it made him greater, more deserved of respect, than the thief who cried in remorse. They are purer by default, these ruthless ones, who would not be persuaded by a carrot or by social acceptance.