There are no atheists in foxholes according to an old but dubious saying, and there is at least a little anecdotal evidence in favor of this saying in the notorious cases of famous atheists who have emerged from near-death experiences to announce to the world that they have changed their minds.
Thank Goodness!
What happens after a noted atheist philosopher undergoes harrowing emergency heart surgery?
Does he have an epiphany? And whom does he thank? Some refl ections on life, prayer (other peoples’), and medicine
Daniel C. Dennet