Hello, Preppers.
I would like your opinion on something I have been curious about for a while. When you are in the wilderness, or even lost and in a true life-or-death situation, do you consider faith a good thing, or a bad thing? I am not willing to disclose my beliefs, because I feel that I would be a minority. I do not see faith as beneficial in a physical sense (praying for fire will not make one appear), but if it helps you to get through your struggle, I see it as beneficial. I am not singling out any one belief. So, I guess what I am asking is: Does your faith help you through situations? Or do you believe that two hands working accomplishes more than two hands clasped in prayer? If this is too controversial of a topic, Moderators, feel free to delete it. As long as there is no bashing, I don't feel that it shouldn't be discussed.

Interesting topic. I suspect you will get a wide range of answers on this topic. I think I would have to say that religious faith has had a minor or no role in emergency situations in which I have been involved or have witnessed. There is basically a whole lot of randomness out there - sometimes things break for you, sometimes against you.

I would describe myself as a non church attending individual who tries, imperfectly to be sure, to adhere to basic Judeo-Christian principles, the ethical matrix in which I was reared. Tolerance and respect for other traditions are important.

In a lot of survival stories with good outcomes the person or persons involved had something to their spirits up and to help them stay in a positive mindset.

So I would say that anything that helps keep your moral up is a good thing provided you also do the practical things as you mention.

The subject line led me to think we're supposed to be talking about stuff like the Third Man syndrome:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Man_factor

Well, I, myself, am not a religious person, however I respect all faiths. I will not argue against someone that finds comfort in believing in any god(s). I am a "do'er" so I personally (do not take offense) see prayer as unhelpful, but it is comparable to fire, in the fact that it may boost one's morale and their will to survive. I find my will to survive in my family. So, whether you believe in the Judaeo-Christian God, Vishnu, Bhudda, Allah, or Thor, if it keeps your spirits high, I advocate it. However, if you are in a survivable situation (referring to someone that has no survival experience) and you only pray, I believe that may help more than hurt. This is my opinion, and I would like to hear your opinion as well, Please don't feel offended if I said something you may disagree with.

I think the question can also be asked "faith for what?" Personally, when I pray, meditate, or whatever, what it allows me to do is to slow down for a few moments. In those moments my mind can rearrange and reprioritize. It also allows for a bit of a catharsis. All of which can help clear the initial "shock" out.

So, I would say that to use the term generically, faith is a good thing.

Hi, MoBOB. I moved to MO in August, so I went from IlRandy, to MoRandy. I don't pray or meditate, but I do take the time to relax and set myself straight. I have alot going on at the moment, with school and trying to find a job, and I often need to just take the time to relax and sort things out.

I keep searching for a "like" option on your guys' posts.... I spend too much time on facebook.

I'll take learning skills and being prepared over faith in some higher power to deliver me. I do think positive thinking and a fierce will to survive is crucial, but these things come from within, not without (IMOHO).

Spiritually I would characterize myself as not particularly superstitious.

Phaedrus, I am quite like yourself. I am atheist, and I have always thought that faith is potentially harmful in certain occasions, but as I stated before, I have nothing against it. I have always thought two hands working accomplishes more than two hands clasped in prayer. I am not one who usually brings up religion, but I know alot of people benefit from it.