Percy writes:
Some atheists and agnostics have conceded that they might well experience a deathbed conversion, but that given the circumstances it would be meaningless. I must admit that this answer appears to concede the very point the question was intended to make: that atheists and agnostics do, underneath it all, believe there is a God. I don't understand why a true atheist/agnostic would feel his mind might turn in this direction at death, so I won't comment.
Just to clarify on this issue, I -amongst others- have admitted that I might be the 'victim' of a deathbed conversion if I'm, in too much pain/fear/etc, i.e. if I'm not in a lucid state of mind.
The point I'm making is that such a conversion would prove nothing at all other than the frailty of the human mind. It wouldn't offer any indication whatsoever as to the existence of God, neither as to the person's 'knowledge' of the existence of said God.
It's the most natural reaction for people under stress/fear/pain to turn to thoughts that provide comfort and reassurance. People
want to be reassured and comforted in such situations. It's why we tell people in accidents & battlefields that they're 'going to be ok' and 'it's just a scratch' even though their whole leg may be missing and they're fast oozing blood from their severed femoral artery. it's why the victims believe 'it's just a scratch' although they can clearly see that it isn't so.
People will hang on to anything that gives them hope. For the vast majority of Christians fear of death is what sparks and kindles their faith in God. For atheists, like me, this fear will be at its highest when I'm on my deathbed, so I might crack then. The only difference between me and riverrat is that he cracked a long time ago.
Percy writes:
I am more sure in my heart than of anything else in existence that the God of the Christian Bible, as well as his hell and caring and devil and tenderness and jealousies and hate and Holy Spirit and rages and miracles and eternal soul, do not exist.
That would make you an atheist, vis-a-vis Christian God.
"In life, you have to face that some days you'll be the bug and some days you'll be the windscreen."
™ Version 4.2
