# Why do some thank God when spared from a tornado? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 1, 2012, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915 "2012-07-01T16:18:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915/21 "2012-07-02T00:59:43Z")
Because they are thankful for being alive, and God is the only person they can think that could have remotely been responsible. In fact, I’ve often wondered what an atheist does with that thankfulness for being alive. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915/22 "2012-07-02T01:10:13Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Because they are thankful for being alive, and God is the only person they can think that could have remotely been responsible. In fact, I’ve often wondered what an atheist does with that thankfulness for being alive. They could thank their parents. Or thank no one. From my own perspective, I’m glad to be alive, but I don’t feel the need to thank anyone anymore than I would thank someone for winning the lottery. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915/23 "2012-07-02T01:22:13Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Because they are thankful for being alive, and God is the only person they can think that could have remotely been responsible. In fact, I’ve often wondered what an atheist does with that thankfulness for being alive. I’ve thought I was going to die. When it was over, I told myself to not waste the time I have left. That’s my atheist version, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![sinjin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@sinjin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinjin)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915/24 "2012-07-02T01:33:49Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Because they are thankful for being alive, and God is the only person they can think that could have remotely been responsible. In fact, I’ve often wondered what an atheist does with that thankfulness for being alive. Been happy that I survived and tried to do my best to be a better person. Tornado survivor since 1960 something. Still have tornado nightmares on a regular basis. ---
**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:** [July 2, 2012, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915/25 "2012-07-02T01:45:32Z")
As a believer, they are an extension of the religion that dominates them and their function is to do everything they can to promote & defend their religion; therefore, when anything good happens they immediately give the credit to God and not to chance or to any human rescuers. Just as when something bad happens they either don’t blame God or promptly claim God was right to inflict that disaster. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915/26 "2012-07-02T01:57:56Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > In fact, I’ve often wondered what an atheist does with that thankfulness for being alive. I try to take care of myself and see the good in everything going on in my life. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915/27 "2012-07-02T02:23:54Z")
I can’t think of any possible explanation, other than Stockholm Syndrome. And as an atheist, the few times my life was on the line, it was other human beings who got me through. But a natural phenomenon like a tornado? I think I’d be more happy than grateful. ---
**Author:** ![mmmbeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecb155/32.png) [@mmmbeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmmbeer)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915/28 "2012-07-02T02:39:54Z")
Either God caused the tornado to come and kill all the people or he did not cause it to do so. If He did, then you must indeed thank God for killing all those people and if he didn’t cause it, then you don’t need to thank Him at all. But you DO have to choose one (and only one) to believe. It is intellectually dishonest to give credit and deny liability for the same act at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915/29 "2012-07-02T02:41:20Z")
Faith isn’t about being intellectually honest. If that all it took, it wouldn’t be faith. ---
**Author:** ![Victor\_Charlie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7ea924/32.png) [@Victor\_Charlie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Victor_Charlie)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915/30 "2012-07-02T03:04:19Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Faith isn’t about being intellectually honest. If that all it took, it wouldn’t be faith. The faith comes in when you believe God had anything to do with it at all. If and how you assign blame or credit does, I believe, require some degree of intellectual honesty. Otherwise religious beliefs are just a grab bag of malleable, morally convenient postulates that shift according to the demands of the moment. (Of course, many would suggest that’s exactly what they are.) ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915/31 "2012-07-02T03:29:34Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Because they are thankful for being alive, and God is the only person they can think that could have remotely been responsible. In fact, I’ve often wondered what an atheist does with that thankfulness for being alive. We bow our heads in praise to Ulysses S. Grant and his National Weather Service. _Blessed be the name of the NWS._ ---
**Author:** ![mmmbeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecb155/32.png) [@mmmbeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmmbeer)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915/32 "2012-07-02T03:47:58Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Faith isn’t about being intellectuall I agree. Just press the “I believe” button. ---
**Author:** ![Esox\_Lucius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/848f3c/32.png) [@Esox\_Lucius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esox_Lucius)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915/33 "2012-07-02T04:01:41Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Because they are thankful for being alive, and God is the only person they can think that could have remotely been responsible. In fact, I’ve often wondered what an atheist does with that thankfulness for being alive. I think he’d be relieved rather than thankful, since there’s no one to thank. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915/34 "2012-07-02T04:20:57Z")
[ul] [li]God spared us. Praise him.[/li][li]God didn’t kill the dead, he called them to His side. It was their time to be with Him. Praise him.[/li][li]God didn’t cripple the maimed and slow-dying. He is testing both us and them. It is part of His plan. He works in mysterious ways. Praise Him.[/li][/ul] With faith, there’s no logical angle. There’s a workaround for every circumstance. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915/35 "2012-07-02T10:54:27Z")
> [@drastic\_quench](#): > > [ul] > [li]God spared us. Praise him.[/li][li]God didn’t kill the dead, he called them to His side. It was their time to be with Him. Praise him.[/li][li]God didn’t cripple the maimed and slow-dying. He is testing both us and them. It is part of His plan. He works in mysterious ways. Praise Him.[/li][/ul] > > With faith, there’s no logical angle. There’s a workaround for every circumstance. [ul][li]God has bad aim.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915/36 "2012-07-02T10:56:40Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Because they are thankful for being alive, and God is the only person they can think that could have remotely been responsible. In fact, I’ve often wondered what an atheist does with that thankfulness for being alive. Simply be thankful. Gratitude doesn’t require a recipient. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915/37 "2012-07-02T11:11:46Z")
It’s very simple. The Devil made the tornado. God intervened and spared the righteous. You praise God so he will think more kindly towards you the next time around. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915/38 "2012-07-02T12:09:45Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > It’s very simple. The Devil made the tornado. God intervened and spared the righteous. You praise God so he will think more kindly towards you the next time around. So the guy who comes home from work to find his wife dead, his kids dead, his house blown to flinders; is he likely to thank god ever again? ---
**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:** [July 2, 2012, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915/39 "2012-07-02T12:54:16Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > So the guy who comes home from work to find his wife dead, his kids dead, his house blown to flinders; is he likely to thank god ever again? If he’s a believer, probably. To a believer, family and friends and personal welfare are a distant second to the needs of their religion; they exist to serve it, and if that means the sacrifice of their family so be it. Believers are supposed to thank God for everything. If God killed their family and left them destitute, then it must have been the right thing because God did it. And doubting that God was right to do so is sinful, proof that _they_ are evil. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915/40 "2012-07-02T12:55:09Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > So the guy who comes home from work to find his wife dead, his kids dead, his house blown to flinders; is he likely to thank god ever again? Sure. He thanks God that he, himself, was spared. Obviously, God saw fit to have him be somewhere else. There is no limit to excuses when faith is involved. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915.md?page=3)