Drowning Christian story

{{christianity}}
The '''Drowning Christian story''' is a lighthearted fictional anecdote that encourages Christians to try to help themselves and use [[common sense]] instead of relying on [[God]] to [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+4%3A9-12&version=NIV fix their problems for them]. Christians and [[atheists]] alike enjoy the story. Other names that the story goes by are "Parable of the Flood," "I Sent You a Rowboat,"<ref>[https://storiesforpreaching.com/i-sent-you-a-rowboat/ I Sent You a Rowboat] ''Stories for Preaching''.</ref> and "The Drowning Man."<ref>[https://truthbook.com/stories/funny-god/the-drowning-man The Drowning Man] ''Truth Book''.</ref>

==Versions==
This version is told by Troy DuFrene.<ref>[https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fumbling-change/200905/two-boats-and-helicopter-thoughts-stress-management Two Boats and a Helicopter: Thoughts on Stress Management]</ref>

{{quotebox|A storm descends on a small town, and the downpour soon turns into a flood. As the waters rise, the local preacher kneels in [[prayer]] on the church porch, surrounded by [[water]]. By and by, one of the townsfolk comes up the street in a canoe.

"Better get in, Preacher. The waters are rising fast."

"No," says the preacher. "I have [[faith]] in the Lord. He will save me."

Still the waters rise. Now the preacher is up on the balcony, wringing his hands in supplication, when another guy zips up in a motorboat.

"Come on, Preacher. We need to get you out of here. The levee's gonna break any minute."

Once again, the preacher is unmoved. "I shall remain. The Lord will see me through."

After a while the levee breaks, and the flood rushes over the church until only the steeple remains above water. The preacher is up there, clinging to the cross, when a helicopter descends out of the clouds, and a state trooper calls down to him through a megaphone.

"Grab the ladder, Preacher. This is your last chance."

Once again, the preacher insists the Lord will deliver him.

And, predictably, he drowns.

A pious man, the preacher goes to [[heaven]]. After a while, he gets an interview with God, and he asks the Almighty, "Lord, I had unwavering faith in you. Why didn't you deliver me from that flood?"

God shakes his head. "What did you want from me? I sent you two boats and a helicopter."}}

Other versions mostly follow the same plot, with minor detail changes, such as the man being [[religious]] instead of a preacher,<ref>[https://truthbook.com/stories/funny-god/the-drowning-man Truth Book: The Drowning Man]</ref> him clinging to his house instead of a church,<ref>[https://storiesforpreaching.com/i-sent-you-a-rowboat/ Stories for Preaching: I Sent You a Rowboat]</ref> or hanging from a branch off a cliff. Also, different things (cars, canoes, etc.) might be sent to his rescue.<ref>[http://epistle.us/inspiration/godwillsaveme.html Epistle: God Will Save Me]</ref> It even shows up in a movie, ''The Pursuit of Happyness.''<ref>[https://www.quotes.net/mquote/125130 Quotes: The Pursuit of Happyness]</ref>

==Discussion==
Arguably, this story stands against the [[Bible]] story of [[Peter]] walking on water ({{bible|Matthew|14|22|33}}), in which Peter leaves the safety of the ship to join [[Jesus]] walking on the water, but then briefly loses faith and falls into the sea (but still survives when Jesus reaches out and lifts him up). In contrast to Peter, the preacher in the Drowning Christian kept his faith without wavering, yet he still drowned.

The story is a contrast to how Jesus responds when tempted by [https://biblehub.com/greek/peirazo_n_3985.htm the tempter]/[https://biblehub.com/greek/diabolos_1228.htm Devil]/[https://biblehub.com/greek/satana_4567.htm Satan] in {{bible|Matthew|4|5|7}} and {{bible|Luke|4|9|12}} (and, presumably, whatever happened in {{bible|Mark|1|13}}), where Jesus essentially points out that God says, "Don't be an idiot."

This story provides an excellent counterpoint to [[Denialism|denialists]] like [[Anti-vaccination movement|antivaxxers]] who say that they should rely on faith instead of [[Evidence-based medicine|modern medicine]] to protect them (how do they know God didn't send vaccines?). The [[COVID-19 pandemic]] led to a version of the story in which the person dies of COVID, having [[COVID-19 denialism|refused to get vaccinated or wear a mask]].

In [[Islam]], there is a similar instruction given by Prophet [[Muhammad]], “Tie your camel first, and then put your trust in God.” ([[Hadith]] relayed by scholar Al-Tirmidhi)

Atheists may use this story to point out the uselessness of faith. "We're capable of overcoming just about any tough situation — it requires perseverance and loved ones. God is nowhere in the equation," comments a guest writer at [[Friendly Atheist]].<ref>[https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2011/03/10/the-miracle-isnt-going-to-happen-if-you-just-sit-there/ The Miracle Isn’t Going to Happen If You Just Sit There]</ref>

==See also==
* [[Atheist professor myth]] — a less rational story
* [[Snake handling]] — another real-life example of the consequences of faith short-circuiting self-preservation

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Christianity]]
[[Category:Denialism]]

Categories: Religion, Christianity, Denialism