I have to say this case appear to be more along the lines of them not even being aware that there was anything for God to protect them from. Not sure how this leads to religion bashing - it could just as well have been a cooking club.

But point taken.

On a related note. I've seen a few examples in youtube videos, etc. of "survival instructors" actually going through packs and telling the students that they can't take certain items in order to create the desired "challenge." The implication is that the student relies on the instructor to provide safety net - which ironically goes directly against the first thing they should be teaching!

Kinda like teaching the importance of a reserve parachute by having the student jump without a working main chute.