Subconscious Atheism

[_aranyborju]

One of my responsibilities in the ward I attend is teaching the early morning seminary class. Today, just like every other day I ask for a volunteer to give the closing prayer, and today, just like every other day, the whole class looked down and tried as hard as they could to avoid notice. After waiting for a response, I eventually called on someone, and they rolled their eyes, mumbled out a quick prayer and class was dismissed.

This is a phenomenon that I have observed throughout my life in the church, but today for the first time it piqued my curiosity...

If we truly had a conviction that a Heavenly Father existed, wouldn't we feel privileged to speak to Him on behalf of our fellow classmates? If we truly believed that He existed at watched over us, wouldn't we feel bad for openly murmuring about being asked to speak with him?

On the drive home and on the way to work I began to wonder if, on a subconscious level, most people don't actually believe in God, that He watches over us, or that He listens to our prayers. This phenomenon is not restricted to only teenagers in the wee hours of the morning...when I taught gospel doctrine it was the same thing. As soon as it was time to pray everyone avoided eye contact.

So do people who claim to have a testimony really believe in a Heavenly Father, and if so, why are they so quick to spurn an opportunity to speak with him?

[_cinepro]

It's an interesting question to think about.

I've thought about it in the context of home teaching and other Church assignments. If someone actually believes in an omnipotent God, and that God controls a person's eternal future, and that God specifically wants me to go visit four families that live nearby once a month, how could I ever possibly miss a month of home teaching?

Sometimes, it seems like we talk like we believe in God, but we live like we're atheists. For example, on my mission we had a saying:

"Trust in God, but always lock your bike".

It's like we acknowledge this great eternal being and all the doctrine that goes with it, but we also acknowledge that whatever power He has isn't enough to consistently keep someone from stealing your bike (I know the issue of agency, but God preventing someone from stealing your bike isn't less "free" than a bike lock preventing someone from stealing your bike).

Another saying we had was:

"Pray like it all depends on God, then go work like it all depends on you".

As with the first saying, it's just as effective to just be practical and tell someone to "lock your bike" and "work as if it all depends on you". If you take out the part about trusting and praying to God, it doesn't change the meaning of the advice.

[_Fence Sitter]

They are teenagers who are embarrassed to pray in front of their friends. I think the reaction would be a bit different in Gospel doctrine.

[_just me]

Praying in public can be awkward, embarrassing or cause anxiety. There are tons of reasons.

Look at the phenomenon of people who ignore fire alarms! If they know that there could be a fire wouldn't they quickly and calmly leave the building walking to a safe distance before stopping?
Well, for some reason people don't!

Okay so maybe what I brought up is too different. I'm not sure. The point is, people are strange and don't always act in accordance to their beliefs or what they know they should do.

[_aranyborju]

They are teenagers who are embarrassed to pray in front of their friends. I think the reaction would be a bit different in Gospel doctrine.

Did you read my OP? C'mon now...the whole thing? ;)

[_aranyborju]

Praying in public can be awkward, embarrassing or cause anxiety. There are tons of reasons.

Look at the phenomenon of people who ignore fire alarms! If they know that there could be a fire wouldn't they quickly and calmly leave the building walking to a safe distance before stopping?
Well, for some reason people don't!

Okay so maybe what I brought up is too different. I'm not sure. The point is, people are strange and don't always act in accordance to their beliefs or what they know they should do.

No, your example is perfect!
Most people ignore fire alarms because they know that most of the time, there isn't really a fire...it's just a drill. They don't believe that a fire is really there. The building could be on fire...but probably not.
Heavenly Father could be watching/listening...but probably not.

[_zeezrom]

Just Me has a great answer.

I have a silly answer but relevant.

Heavenly Father to a teen is like the Titanic to an ant. Heavenly Father is more powerful than all the superheroes combined. He is not known as the "gray eyed" but the rather the blazing eyed - so blazing he wears a wicker mask per Lehi (I think).

And D&C 67:11

Fear added to fear.

[_Themis]

They are teenagers who are embarrassed to pray in front of their friends. I think the reaction would be a bit different in Gospel doctrine.

Did you read my OP? C'mon now...the whole thing? ;)

I agree with cinepro, but praying in class can be uncomfortable for adults as well.

[_Fence Sitter]

They are teenagers who are embarrassed to pray in front of their friends. I think the reaction would be a bit different in Gospel doctrine.

Did you read my OP? C'mon now...the whole thing? ;)

I didn't read it as carefully as I should have. I still think the reason most hand don't shoot up ( I would fall into this area) is because of embarrassment. I am not sure there is a connection between reluctance to publicly pray and belief. Many people who have strong testimonies would also be afraid to give a talk in Sacrament.

[_MCB]

Perhaps it has something to do with a fear of being accused of heresy or apostasy as a result of revealing one's thoughts in prayer?