My daughter believes in GOD!!!

As I was kissing my kids goodnight last night I see Emily doing the sign of the cross. You know the one that goes from your forehead to your belly to your right and then left shoulder, finished with a kiss on the thumb knuckle. I asked her what she was doing and she said "I thought I would pray". Of course since I didn't teach her this I was curious as to wear she learned it. My first thought was that my lovable, well meaning bible thumbing 8 year old niece taught her. But I was wrong. She said that the day that Eric had his surgery "Daddy showed me how to pray and do the cross, so that Eric would be safe in surgery." Now, Emily has had some experience with religion and God. Not much and not on my account. She says that she believes in God and that he is good and protects us, but doesn't know why she believes. I have asked Eric if he believes in God... he looks at me like I am crazy and says "who?"
I do think that it is good that Emily believes in God, even if she doesn't know why. I think that it is great that my husband shares his views on religion with the kids. Why do I think it is good when I am atheist? Because for one it cant hurt. Even though I think religion of all different types are great and interesting, I still believe that it is great stories when people had nothing else to believe in due to horrible times, and they needed to have faith in a higher power. These stories were passed down for generations and because they are usually based on good things that come to you if you do believe, why won't people want to continue to believe. But I give my kids the option to learn about all different types of religion.. and if they want to believe in any of them, then good for them. I have also told my kids that even though Daddy believes in God, Mommy does not. But I follow that up with "you can believe in anything you want" and Yes I do mean that.
Now, I write this because even though I am a strong believer in Karma... I do not believe in any devine interventions. I have seen too many good people die and too many bad people live for me to believe that any person or thing or spirit could have choosen for it to be that way. I think that when your time is up, your time is up. When you are dead, you are dead. If you got hit by a bus, it was because you were not looking when you crossed the road, not because some higher being decided that it was your time to go. With all that being said... I did make a phone call when I was at the hospital waiting for Eric to come out of surgery to a very good, yet HIGHLY religious friend of mine. She told me that she had been praying for Eric. I do like when people pray for my family. I believe that it cant hurt and if the day ever comes where I am proven wrong about God (not that I am ever expecting that) I will be glad that people prayed for us. Although I do not believe in the power of prayer per say... I do believe that the power of positive thought can be very helpful. So pray away. When I talked to my friend I said "it is days like this that I wish I believed in God. I hate having to put all my trust into just one person (the doctor), to take care of my son."
So, even though I am not religious, I am glad that Emily, and perhaps even Eric one day, believes in God. I dont want her to ever feel like she is alone or helpless when she needs to put her trust into someone or something. Even if I cant make myself believe in magical spirits or all mighty creators.... I am glad that my daughter can, so that if nothing else, she will always have the comfort of her faith.