Update: Thanks for the support! I told her that Grandma and Grandpa believe that because 1) that’s what they were taught when they were kids and 2) they like believing that so they continue to believe that. That made sense to her, but then she said that it’s weird that they care what we believe, or care that we believe in a different way than them. I agreed that it’s weird and can make things difficult. She was satisfied at that point.

My parents are very devout in their religion, and my wife and I are raising our kids agnostic. We try to explain what other people believe, but we emphasize that there isn’t really compelling evidence for any of the supernatural claims. Anyway, my 5 year was complaining about Grandma and Grandpa praying before meals, and she says “why do they even believe in god, anyway?”

I didn’t have a good answer that I could give a 5 year old. Cognitive bias, community, organizational manipulation just wouldn’t make sense to her. I also don’t want to say it’s because they’re stupid.

Any advice on how to explain this?