# "Thank God I survived that accident" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 1, 2006, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-god-i-survived-that-accident/366860 "2006-08-01T09:30:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-god-i-survived-that-accident/366860/21 "2006-08-01T17:29:56Z")
For the consideration of the OP: Lots of people thank God for their food too. Now, take deep breaths…try to relax…think happy thoughts…google for cute kittens… ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-god-i-survived-that-accident/366860/22 "2006-08-01T17:59:46Z")
I respect and admire the truly faithful. I wouldn’t pit anyone for believing God saved their life in an accident. There really is no way we can rule out the possibility that God made the steel bend in a way that prevented death. Just don’t insist that I believe it, too. I don’t think for a second that God enabled Joe Receiver to make that one-handed catch to win the game, though. God only influences field goal attempts. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-god-i-survived-that-accident/366860/23 "2006-08-01T18:10:23Z")
[QUOTE=McNew] But it appears the OP is just irate at “religious morons” and “religious assholes” in general, just because of their mere existence. [/QUOTE] Looks to me like the OP is only irate at those who spout the “God works in mysterious ways” bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-god-i-survived-that-accident/366860/24 "2006-08-01T18:52:14Z")
[QUOTE=Lute Skywatcher] Looks to me like the OP is only irate at those who spout the “God works in mysterious ways” bullshit. [/QUOTE] But saying “Thank God I survived a situation that could’ve very easily killed me” is not the same as “The Lord works in mysterious way”. One is genuine gratitude (an appreciation for how much worse things could’ve turned out) and the other reeks of righteous resignation (“He wants what he wants, so what can you do?”). To be thankful you’re not dead is not the same as being thankful that your life sucks (because it could be worse) and the OP’s an idiot for conflating the two. ---
**Author:** ![Heckxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f1d935/32.png) [@Heckxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heckxx)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-god-i-survived-that-accident/366860/25 "2006-08-01T19:39:25Z")
I don’t think most/any of us (including **LeftFootRightFoot** ) can fully understand what its like to be in a life-threatening moment. Unless you’ve been accustomed to a violent history, I would bet that even you, LeftFootRightFoot, might be thanking God after a brush with death. Because initially, you see the situation. And you’re convinced that you are already dead. And yet somehow…you live. I am agnostic, but I know from my history that when an apparent miracle saves me from heavy danger…i start to think twice about the existence of God. But then it goes away again. ---
**Author:** ![LeftFootRightFoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@LeftFootRightFoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LeftFootRightFoot)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-god-i-survived-that-accident/366860/26 "2006-08-01T20:09:10Z")
[QUOTE=ArchiveGuy] But saying “Thank God I survived a situation that could’ve very easily killed me” is not the same as “The Lord works in mysterious way”. One is genuine gratitude (an appreciation for how much worse things could’ve turned out) and the other reeks of righteous resignation (“He wants what he wants, so what can you do?”). To be thankful you’re not dead is not the same as being thankful that your life sucks (because it could be worse) and the OP’s an idiot for conflating the two. [/QUOTE] “The lord works in mysterious ways” is just a massive excuse to write off all the evil in the world. When a baby is born and he is a beautiful child, religious fools thank god for how gorgeous he is. But should a baby come out crippled and die within hours, was god taking a day off, or was he punishing the parents? I’m 100% freedom of anything you want to do, until it effects me. So do whatever drugs you want without screwing me over (like smoking, that screws me over, so go away to do it). And bible-thumpers really just piss me off. If there truly was a god, he wouldn’t be in our daily lives to such a massive extent. Like that bitch Mandisa on american idol, thanking god for her making it that far, wtf? ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-god-i-survived-that-accident/366860/27 "2006-08-01T21:01:23Z")
[QUOTE=LeftFootRightFoot] "I’m 100% freedom of anything you want to do, until it effects me. [/QUOTE] So how does it affect you ? Missionaries kicking your ass ? Sunday school students throwing rocks at you ? Do tell. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-god-i-survived-that-accident/366860/28 "2006-08-01T21:08:16Z")
I agree ( surprise, surprise ! ); stealing the credit is one of the more common religious behaviors. I find it extremly irritating and stupid when someone is dragged from the rubble of a building, say, and goes on and on about how _God_ saved them :rolleyes: . Hello ! It was that big guy who risked getting crushed by more falling debris that saved you, not some imaginary sky critter. Not to mention the hypocrisy of claiming God is responsible for all the good things in life but giving him no blame for the bad. As for why it steals the credit for the success of actual people, it has to. Religion is parasitic and destructive; without stolen credit, more people would recognize it’s vileness and uselessness. [QUOTE=Omegaman] So how does it affect you ? Missionaries kicking your ass ? Sunday school students throwing rocks at you ? Do tell. :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] Stem cell research being undercut, 9-11, the Catholic anti-condom campaign helping to kill millions, the entire ME mess, the religious oppression of women and gays, and innumerable other evils and stupidities. ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-god-i-survived-that-accident/366860/29 "2006-08-01T21:23:21Z")
[QUOTE=Der Trihs] I agree ( surprise, surprise ! ); stealing the credit is one of the more common religious behaviors. I find it extremly irritating and stupid when someone is dragged from the rubble of a building, say, and goes on and on about how _God_ saved them :rolleyes: . Hello ! It was that big guy who risked getting crushed by more falling debris that saved you, not some imaginary sky critter. Not to mention the hypocrisy of claiming God is responsible for all the good things in life but giving him no blame for the bad. As for why it steals the credit for the success of actual people, it has to. Religion is parasitic and destructive; without stolen credit, more people would recognize it’s vileness and uselessness. Stem cell research being undercut, 9-11, the Catholic anti-condom campaign helping to kill millions, the entire ME mess, the religious oppression of women and gays, and innumerable other evils and stupidities. [/QUOTE] Such is life. I still don’t see how this affects you (unless your gay ) . And even then , are you forced to attend church, pray etc ? ---
**Author:** ![flight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbce88/32.png) [@flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flight)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-god-i-survived-that-accident/366860/30 "2006-08-01T21:26:22Z")
[QUOTE=Heckxx] I don’t think most/any of us (including **LeftFootRightFoot** ) can fully understand what its like to be in a life-threatening moment. Unless you’ve been accustomed to a violent history, I would bet that even you, LeftFootRightFoot, might be thanking God after a brush with death. [/quote] Been there, done that, several times. Never occurred to me to thank god, just as it wouldn’t occur to me to pray for intercession before such a crisis. > [@](#): > > Because initially, you see the situation. And you’re convinced that you are already dead. And yet somehow…you live. I am agnostic, but I know from my history that when an apparent miracle saves me from heavy danger..i start to think twice about the existence of God. But then it goes away again. You should really think about that more. If you begin to believe in a crisis situation, maybe you are a believer who can put it out of his head most of the time when it is inconvenient. If you are confident and secure in your world view, a crisis probably won’t shake your belief structure. I do however find these kinds of circumstances extremely invigorating. Nothing like “knowing” you are about to die and then winning through to make you appreciate both life and your own abilities. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-god-i-survived-that-accident/366860/31 "2006-08-01T21:48:45Z")
[QUOTE=Omegaman] Such is life. I still don’t see how this affects you (unless your gay ) . [/quote] Ah, the pro-religious rhetoric of absolute, sociopathic self interest. Funny how it’s us unbelievers who actually care about our fellow human beings. As it happens, I could easily aquire a medical problem that stem cells might cure, if Bush wasn’t trying to spread suffering and death by suppressing the research. Then there’s the religiously motivated push against anti-aging research and against new antibiotics ( we can’t admit bacteria are _evolving_ resistance, now, can we ? ). I could be killed by a believer who _thinks_ I’m gay tomorrow, as well. Then there’s the general social malaise religion has inflicted on this country. Religion corrupts everything it touches. [QUOTE=Omegaman] And even then , are you forced to attend church, pray etc ? [/QUOTE] I was forced to swear to “One nation under God”, and am forced to use money with “God” on it; from my viewpoint that’s like having cash with a swastika on it. ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-god-i-survived-that-accident/366860/32 "2006-08-01T22:11:31Z")
[QUOTE=Der Trihs] Ah,. I was forced to swear to “One nation under God”, and am forced to use money with “God” on it; from my viewpoint that’s like having cash with a swastika on it. [/QUOTE] Don’t use it. While I was at lunch I thought about the list you made and I think the most inportant thing you mentioned was about abortion. If you had been aborted you wouldn’t be here .I already thanked God for that 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Machine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Ice\_Machine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Machine)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-god-i-survived-that-accident/366860/33 "2006-08-01T22:16:52Z")
[QUOTE=Der Trihs] I was forced to swear to “One nation under God”, and am forced to use money with “God” on it; from my viewpoint that’s like having cash with a swastika on it. [/QUOTE] I like this, I need to remember this 🙂 I can handle someone saying “Thank God I survived that accident” but get quite irked when folks completely dismiss the actual people who should be thanked: the doctor that perform the life-saving surgery; the acting coaches, director, screenwriters, film crew etc. who contributed to making an Oscar winning film; the contribution of fellow team members or the other team for playing badly. ---
**Author:** ![Dracona](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ea5d25/32.png) [@Dracona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dracona)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-god-i-survived-that-accident/366860/34 "2006-08-01T22:20:59Z")
[QUOTE=ArchiveGuy] But saying “Thank God I survived a situation that could’ve very easily killed me” is not the same as “The Lord works in mysterious way”. One is genuine gratitude (an appreciation for how much worse things could’ve turned out) and the other reeks of righteous resignation (“He wants what he wants, so what can you do?”). To be thankful you’re not dead is not the same as being thankful that your life sucks (because it could be worse) and the OP’s an idiot for conflating the two. [/QUOTE] **Thank you. I agree completely.** As soon as I read the OP, I was terrifically conflicted. I miraculously survived an accident when I was only 13 months old. It was a tiny car, maybe a 3 cylinder, made in the 70’s. My mother was driving on the interstate at more than 80 mph on capped tires. She had needed to pull off the road to feed me, and was trying to catch back up with my father who was driving a separate vehicle. A tire blew and we went careening across the median, striking a semi (carrying fuel.) Our car disentegrated on impact. But I, in my prototype car seat, was laughing and running around the observation room in the hospital only a few hours later. Nobody else from the accident was so lucky. I feel very fortunate and am often stunned by how unlikely my survival was. I have some very strong feelings that I should NOT have lived, and I often think about why that might be. I agree with the OP, however, that a good and loving God that allows tiny babies to be raped to death, but then spares a “sinner” in a traffic accident doesn’t make any sense. I however, can’t be bothered. I too admire people of faith, and have little issue with them. I’m too busy trying to figure out who the fuck to thank for my _own_ miraculous survival 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-god-i-survived-that-accident/366860/35 "2006-08-01T22:24:56Z")
[QUOTE=McNew] But it appears the OP is just irate at “religious morons” and “religious assholes” in general, just because of their mere existence. [/QUOTE] Uh, the existance of religious morons and religious assholes _is_ a bad thing. They give the good religious folk a bad name. > [@Omegaman](#): > > Such is life. I still don’t see how this affects you (unless your gay ) . And even then , are you forced to attend church, pray etc ? This is a pretty sick outlook, IMHO. Try having your newly-out friend burst out crying because she just realized she’ll never be allowed to fulfill all those dreams of marriage & family because she’s a filthy sinner, then tell me it doesn’t affect anyone who’s not gay. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-god-i-survived-that-accident/366860/36 "2006-08-01T22:27:15Z")
[QUOTE=Omegaman] Don’t use it. [/quote] So now I’m supposed to stop using cash just because of America’s stupid God fetish ? Yeah, right. [QUOTE=Omegaman] While I was at lunch I thought about the list you made and I think the most inportant thing you mentioned was about abortion. If you had been aborted you wouldn’t be here .I already thanked God for that 😛 [/QUOTE] My mother was religious and had one abortion; religion didn’t save me, assuming there had _been_ a me at the time to save. In fact, I didn’t mention abortion but should have; the religious opposition to abortion is another example of religion’s evil, it’s fundamental oppsoition to freedom, justice and happiness. ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-god-i-survived-that-accident/366860/37 "2006-08-01T22:35:24Z")
[QUOTE=Der Trihs] So now I’m supposed to stop using cash just because of America’s stupid God fetish ? Yeah, right. My mother was religious and had one abortion; religion didn’t save me, assuming there had _been_ a me at the time to save. In fact, I didn’t mention abortion but should have; the religious opposition to abortion is another example of religion’s evil, it’s fundamental oppsoition to freedom, justice and happiness. [/QUOTE] Use credit cards. Cash will be a thing of the past . Along with oil. Real soon . 😛 ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-god-i-survived-that-accident/366860/38 "2006-08-01T22:43:35Z")
[QUOTE=Ice Machine] I can handle someone saying “Thank God I survived that accident” but get quite irked when folks completely dismiss the actual people who should be thanked: the doctor that perform the life-saving surgery; the acting coaches, director, screenwriters, film crew etc. who contributed to making an Oscar winning film; the contribution of fellow team members or the other team for playing badly. [/QUOTE] For the life of me, I have never heard anybody “completely dismiss” all the other people involved in said situations. “Thank God for saving me, despite the invasive obstruction of all those pesky rescue workers” :rolleyes: Anybody who genuinely believed God played a part in their fate will be the first to believe (and acknowledge) that that same God worked through the efforts of others to help them. Anybody who is only paying lip service to “God” is likely to know who they really want to thank and be sure and thank them anyway. I have never heard anybody diss those instrumental to their good fortune, and heap all the credit on God alone. ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-god-i-survived-that-accident/366860/39 "2006-08-01T22:43:42Z")
[QUOTE=Troy McClure SF] Uh, the existance of religious morons and religious assholes _is_ a bad thing. They give the good religious folk a bad name. This is a pretty sick outlook, IMHO. Try having your newly-out friend burst out crying because she just realized she’ll never be allowed to fulfill all those dreams of marriage & family because she’s a filthy sinner, then tell me it doesn’t affect anyone who’s not gay. [/QUOTE] I didn’t say I hate gay people ? I can’t have children naturally , but I can adopt . Be sure my wife cries about that shit all the time. She feels like it’s her fault . Bottom line , shit happens . I guess the shitty thing is it happens to everybody. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-god-i-survived-that-accident/366860/40 "2006-08-01T22:45:41Z")
[QUOTE=ArchiveGuy] But saying “Thank God I survived a situation that could’ve very easily killed me” is not the same as “The Lord works in mysterious way”. One is genuine gratitude (an appreciation for how much worse things could’ve turned out) and the other reeks of righteous resignation (“He wants what he wants, so what can you do?”). To be thankful you’re not dead is not the same as being thankful that your life sucks (because it could be worse) and the OP’s an idiot for conflating the two. [/QUOTE] How about being thankful that God saved you when dozens of others died in the same accident? That seems the height of arrogance to me. Why did he not save the others? Oh wait. I bet I know. He loved them so much he wanted them to be in heaven with him, right? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-god-i-survived-that-accident/366860.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-god-i-survived-that-accident/366860.md?page=3)