Much is being written about atheists these days and the subject reminds me of my wartime experience with a couple of them under my command during the Desert War in 1942-43. Our job was to clear minefields before an infantry advance. Before one such major advance one of the padres (any denomination) would hold an ecumenical prayer service for the troops which of course the atheists did not bother to attend.
The advance was a bloody affair and I lost a couple of men and among the wounded brought back was one such young atheist minus one leg and obviously in great pain. His moaning was heard by all present: “Mother, mother! Oh God help me!”
So much for his atheism as he was carried off to a field hospital calling on God’s help