Reassuringly Atheist

It's often said that there are no atheists in foxholes; that when nothing else is left, people will turn to God just to keep hope. It's a view that I know a lot of atheists hold, and I would understand why someone would feel this. But reverting to a religious position is not the only course of action in times of trouble, and there have been times when a lack of belief in a deity has been of great comfort to me.

First of all, it inspires you to act on the things that you can change. Without an all-knowing, all-powerful guy working things out for you, you have to rely on yourself (or someone else who, crucially, exists) to sort things out. OK, so maybe that isn't very reassuring, but it's more likely to get results than sitting around waiting for divine intervention. It also allows you to take whatever credit you are due, or to properly credit the parties involved in sorting the situation. I wonder how many surgeons see their hard work attributed to God or a guardian angel?

On the other hand, there are things we must accept we cannot change, or are powerless the prevent. This is never easy, but, for me, it is easier to look at some statistics and place myself in the context of them than it is to equate an awful event with a loving, omnipotent Father.

There seem to me to be three possible reasons why this wonderful figure would allow you to go through these troubles:
1: He is ignoring you. If this is the case, you may wish to ask yourself why you are going to such levels to appease this man. Seriously, you wouldn't stay in a relationship this one-sided.
2: He is doing this as part of an overarching plan. I once went to a talk on why a benevolent God allowed evil, and was presented with this hypothetical situation: a good couple lose a son in a car accident, then set up a successful campaign for road safety, thus leading to a better world. I'm sure you don't need me to point out the circular logic and doublethink at play here, but really?
3: He is punishing you. Leaving you with a large amount of guilt to add to this completely unfortunate tragedy, as it is in some way ALL YOUR FAULT! Or, of course, you've been caught in the crossfire of someone else's punishment, and so you're back to reason 1.

I've never seen bad circumstance as something that makes a god less likely -- maybe he enjoys watching conflict and misery as much as any Eastenders viewer -- but I find it intensely troubling that people feel the need to thank someone they believe is torturing them in some way (such as in this tweet, which is one of today's most ReTweeted).

Is it not enough to accept that the garden is ruined, without having to imagine the fairies want you dead as well?