# Why don't Christians Skydive? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 22, 2009, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-skydive/482408 "2009-01-22T04:43:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SSG\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-skydive/482408/1 "2009-01-22T04:43:47Z")
Ok, I know some of them do, but most don’t. Most also do not swim in shark infested waters, retrieve hand grenades, or even serve in combat arms positions in the US Military. It seems to me that if there is a great reward in Heaven, why are more Christians not in a hurry to get there? I understand to some, suicide may not get you into Heaven, but why not drive fast on the interstate on a foggy morning? SSG Schwartz ---
**Author:** ![Rolken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df788c/32.png) [@Rolken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rolken)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-skydive/482408/2 "2009-01-22T04:53:01Z")
Most Christians have family that would suffer in their passing, aren’t ironclad in their faith, and have a healthy fear of death. edit: of course, there’s also the fact that most denominations tend to discourage suicide as a method of reaching Heaven. But really, there’s no shortage of reasons. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-skydive/482408/3 "2009-01-22T04:53:49Z")
> [@SSG\_Schwartz](#): > > Ok, I know some of them do, but most don’t. Most also do not swim in shark infested waters, retrieve hand grenades, or even serve in combat arms positions in the US Military. It seems to me that if there is a great reward in Heaven, why are more Christians not in a hurry to get there? I understand to some, suicide may not get you into Heaven, but why not drive fast on the interstate on a foggy morning? > > SSG Schwartz I’m not a theist of any stripe, but it seems a necessary part of most mainstream religions is to embrace life not death even if your reward is supposed to be in the afterlife. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-skydive/482408/4 "2009-01-22T04:56:54Z")
> [@astro](#): > > I’m not a theist of any stripe, but it seems a necessary part of most mainstream religions is to embrace life not death even if your reward is supposed to be in the afterlife. How can you deserve eternal life if you do not value the mortal one? ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-skydive/482408/5 "2009-01-22T04:57:58Z")
I doubt the statistics have been compiled anywhere, but… My guess is that while most Christians are not skydivers, most skydivers are Christians. Ditto for cave divers and snake handlers. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-skydive/482408/6 "2009-01-22T05:01:03Z")
> [@SSG\_Schwartz](#): > > It seems to me that if there is a great reward in Heaven First of all, please provide a cite for this belief _of yours_ about Christianity. Can you find anyplace in the Bible that says believers will be provided a reward in Heaven immediately when they die? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Fake\_Tales\_of\_San\_Francisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@Fake\_Tales\_of\_San\_Francisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fake_Tales_of_San_Francisco)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-skydive/482408/7 "2009-01-22T05:23:56Z")
Mathew 5:12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (NASB) There are many reasons why one isn’t in a rush to get to heaven. Firstly, uncertainty. In the back of every religious persons mind there’s a healthy niggling doubt. Well, not every religious persons mind - what do you think religious suicide bombers are attempting to do (apart from blowing something up)? Secondly, as has been stated people have a family and friends. Most are not keen to leave them just yet. There’s no telling what heaven will really be like, if you’ll be able to communicate in the same way. The way it’s described in the bible, there’s not a lot of sex going on there either. Strong reason for me to stay for a while I reckon. Thirdly there is the Great Commission. What good is a dead person in spreading the good news? ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-skydive/482408/8 "2009-01-22T06:05:06Z")
There are a lot of reasons. Some strong some weak. but one of the big one for me is. We were created to serve. There is work for us here to complete. ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-skydive/482408/9 "2009-01-22T06:38:11Z")
> [@SSG\_Schwartz](#): > > Ok, I know some of them do, but most don’t. Most also do not swim in shark infested waters, retrieve hand grenades, or even serve in combat arms positions in the US Military. It seems to me that if there is a great reward in Heaven, why are more Christians not in a hurry to get there? I understand to some, suicide may not get you into Heaven, but why not drive fast on the interstate on a foggy morning? > > SSG Schwartz 1. Shark-infested water: that’s silly 2. Grenades: Serving your neighbour, I don’t think there’s any shortage of Christians there. 3)Serve in combat: Come on, that impossibly false, chritians make up most of the US army (and my country’s) 3. Interstate: If you drive wrecklessly on purpose there are two sins, a) endagering your live (suicidal), b) enadagering others * * * Your lack of stats or knowledge of basic Christian belief is astonishing ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-skydive/482408/10 "2009-01-22T06:40:00Z")
As well as your knowledge of the intrisic risk involved in skydiving ---
**Author:** ![BrightNShiny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@BrightNShiny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrightNShiny)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-skydive/482408/11 "2009-01-22T08:14:26Z")
I’m not a Christian, but I think the OP has an excluded middle here. Any dangerous activity runs the risk of long-term disability and/or pain. Perhaps some people choose a “safe” life as preferable to the long-term disability life. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-skydive/482408/12 "2009-01-22T08:30:06Z")
Well, that whole Rapture thing is kinda like skydiving, with a reversed polarity. Diving into the sky, rather than from it. Best part is, if your roomate gets Raptured, you get to keep his stuff. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-skydive/482408/13 "2009-01-22T08:50:13Z")
> [@SSG\_Schwartz](#): > > Ok, I know some of them do, but most don’t. Most also do not swim in shark infested waters, retrieve hand grenades, or even serve in combat arms positions in the US Military. It seems to me that if there is a great reward in Heaven, why are more Christians not in a hurry to get there? I understand to some, suicide may not get you into Heaven, but why not drive fast on the interstate on a foggy morning? > > SSG Schwartz Why don’t Christians post on the SDMB. Ok, I know some of them do, but most don’t. Most also do not drive about the D.C. Beltway, attend select sub-committee meetings, or even serve in the Senate cafeteria. It seems to me that if they \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, then why aren’t more Christians doing \_\_\_\_\_\_\_. The above means that your post doesn’t make a lot of sense. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-skydive/482408/14 "2009-01-22T09:33:20Z")
> [@Fake\_Tales\_of\_San\_Francisco](#): > > What good is a dead person in spreading the good news? Well, if he was a skydiver, he’s at least spread somewhat… Anyway, I think it’s just that religions that encourage dying tend to be somewhat short lived. Just think of suicide cults as an extreme. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-skydive/482408/15 "2009-01-22T09:43:54Z")
Maybe it’s because Jesus didn’t actually say “Get yourself killed gratuitiously so as to get to heaven quicker”. Maybe it’s a Parable of the Talents thing, and we’re supposed to do all we have with the life we have here to the greater glory of God, and not just check out and claim our reward. And maybe the OP doesn’t understand Christianity and doesn’t want to, but unfortunately isn’t as good at slamming it as a few other posters hereabouts. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-skydive/482408/16 "2009-01-22T11:53:37Z")
> [@SSG\_Schwartz](#): > > Ok, I know some of them do, but most don’t. Most also do not swim in shark infested waters, retrieve hand grenades, or even serve in combat arms positions in the US Military. It seems to me that if there is a great reward in Heaven, why are more Christians not in a hurry to get there? I understand to some, suicide may not get you into Heaven, but why not drive fast on the interstate on a foggy morning? > > SSG Schwartz Most people don’t skydive. But to answer your question, I can use the same reply Jesus gave to Satan: [QUOTE=Matthew 4:7] Jesus answered him, "It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ " [/QUOTE] While followers of Jesus do enjoy real divine protection this does not extend to testing God to save you. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-skydive/482408/17 "2009-01-22T12:24:31Z")
Why don’t Christians Skydive? It scares the shit out of their dogs! Nope. That set-up just doesn’t work. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-skydive/482408/18 "2009-01-22T13:14:40Z")
> [@SSG\_Schwartz](#): > > It seems to me that if there is a great reward in Heaven, why are more Christians not in a hurry to get there? Why, is Heaven going somewhere? I’d expect that taking up dangerous hobbies with the _intent_ of dying quickly would be tantamount to attempted suicide which isn’t looked well upon in Christian faiths. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-skydive/482408/19 "2009-01-22T13:18:11Z")
Skydivers don’t dive with the intent to die - I mean the whole _point_ of carrying the parachute is so you survive the experience to do it again, right? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-skydive/482408/20 "2009-01-22T13:29:52Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > Most also do not drive about the D.C. Beltway Well, yeah, but that one’s functionally covered under the OP’s life-threatening situations… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-skydive/482408.md?page=2)