Why did my Grandma do this?

Question

My family are all atheists.

At the end of 2004 my grandmother, my brother and I were in a very serious car crash and really none of us should be alive and I shouldn't be walking. We were lucky that my Grandparents had just bought a brand new car which saved us.

I had a bad spinal injury while my brother and grandma only had a few scratches.

My family are 100% atheist. But when I was in the hospital and my grandma came and visited me, she kept saying that God was looking out for us and that we must be thankful to him.

She's never spoken like this before or after the crash. Why did she turn to God when she was upset? What does this say about her beliefs?

Please don't try and convert me. I'm not interested. I have my own beliefs and they aren't Christianity.

Thank you.

John- Shut up.

I think she ment it was a gift that no one died. It was actually 3 years ago today which made me think about it.

No head injuries. A scratch on her foot.

What's the fox hole thing?

She's gone back to the way she was before. Before hand she said that she disliked religion and didn't believe in God.

Answer 1

Probably because she had an epiphany and realized it was true at the time.

Afterwards she probably decided she had a brain fart.

PS: "shut-up" and I am rude?

An incredible number of people have religious epiphanies that they later either recant or decide must have been imaginary. Less than half of these people attribute them as true religious epiphanies. Often those that do accept these visions are encouraged by well meaning family members to receive psychiatric counseling.

Answer 2

I wonder what Grandmas would say when members of their families actually die in a crash?...It was God's will? the Devil made them do it?, Guess god wanted them more than the family? It just boggles my mind that there is never a wrong answer with christians..Everything is justified..I lost my 8 yr old sister to a brain tumor..I was 16 not only her brother but her best friend..tell me it was gods will that she suffer as much as she did..tell me god took backstage to the devils work, tell me god had picked her out to be another angel in heaven and I was supposed to buy that ....People need something to hold onto..I understand that and many are afraid to die so believing there is a hereafter comforts them but all facets of religions have been grossly distorted and misinterpreted throught history...I want no part of it..I make my own choices based on the golden rule and my conscience is based on what I learned from experience..Frankly so much hypocracy is not attractive to me..

Answer 3

When you live in a culture that is resounding Christian, it is not uncommon to speak in those terms.

It's also possible she's not that much of an atheist.

The fox hole thing is the idea that, when faced with our own impending doom, such as when in a fox hole, we will all turn to God out of fear that we'll die and go to hell, or thinking some prayer will save us.

I'm more inclined to think your grandma just isn't that committed to any belief system (or lack thereof). Or, perhaps YOU imagined it. You never know.

Answer 4

I would not try to convert you since you have a right to your beliefs.I think that people reach out to God in a desperate cry for help when they feel all else has failed and all hope is gone.Many people who experience a near death experience will often try to barter with God to have their prayers answered.A lot of Christians do the same thing.I think most people believe in some sort of superior being or believe in something.

Answer 5

Sounds like Grandma is more agnostic than atheist. She probably does have beliefs but like many people, chooses to be private about it. I suppose in times of great stress, people resort to the comfort of God as we are brought up to think that way, even in the most atheist households! I know that despite my parents being non believers, my sister and I are both fascinated by religion. There is nothing wrong with it, its just a comfort blanket to many.

Answer 6

I have heard atheists do this before. I think a part of me thinks deep down people know there is a G-d but another part of me thinks it is human nature to "thank fate" so to speak, when something that could have gone so badly turns out ok. I aso think people hear other people say it and it becomes part of the vocabulary even though no real religious meaning is attached to it.
Personally, as a Jew, I like to think people deep down know there is a G-d but in reality there was probably nothing religious about it at all if she is a firm atheist.

Answer 7

There are a number of possibilities: Head injury, fear of dying, interest in religion she would never tell an atheist family or perhaps she really decided she did believe something at that time.

Disasters, violence, illness and near death experiences as well as other things make many question. That includes making those who believe in God start questioning IF he exists, as well as making some who don't believe in him want to know IF there is a God and an afterlife.

TTYL,
Debbie

Answer 8

Hi Wabby, When you face damage like you did it would make anyone turn to God. I know this for a fact. My daughter was 2 1/2 at the time and got out of the back yard at the time i found out she had gotten out i turn to God to help. I was scare to Death that i wouldn't find her and soon as i said, "God Please Help Me" I turn the corner and there she was in an open field with wild horses. Thank You God for watching over my little daughter. This is true and really happen.
A Friend,
poppy1

Answer 9

I too like you am an atheist...I have heard that people turn to a "higher power" when in need because they need someone to look to and believe in. Maybe she was really scared for you and figured that was the way to go. Im not sure though, has she started believing in god since then or is she back to herself again?

Answer 10

Are you sure she isn't just one of those non practicing religionists? If you had asked me what I was ten years ago I would have said christian. Truth is I had just never really thought about it and was still going on my credulity when it came to religion, and that is what they told me when I was young.

When there is something people don't understand, they like to turn to religion for the cover all answers. The less you know, the more likely you are to turn to it.

Answer 11

It times of luck and times of tragedy, many people turn to religion. I personally don't, but many people do need to have the assurance that there is something behind reality. For example, when one of my friends died of cancer recently, people in her family who didn't believe in God suddenly did. I think it works the same way with something good-people want to have someone to thank for their fortune. I'm so glad that you and your family were okay.