Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dave G on December 22, 2010 at 1:59am

It depends on why it is being said. If it is just a general good-will-wishing (as is usual in non-confrontational situations), I'll take it as the well-meaning (if ineffective) gesture it is. No different than wishing someone good luck.  If it is confrontational (ala "You're an atheist? I'll pray for your soul!"), I may be more biting in my response.

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Permalink Reply by Reggie on December 23, 2010 at 1:29am

Evil twin saves me typing.

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Permalink Reply by Garrison on December 22, 2010 at 1:45pm

Well, I don't know how to tell you to handle this situation.  But I do know that you need to figure it out, quick because it sure as hell won't get 'better' after you get married (if that is the direction in which you two are going).

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Permalink Reply by T A A on December 22, 2010 at 2:07pm

I had my first instance of "I'll pray for you" in years and years on an internet game this week where this one god loving dude was trying to sell how truthfull FAUX NEWS was, at the end of a 20 min political/chat/debate he said "I'll pray for you, you need it" I answered "I'll wish you clear thinking, you need it".

 

I always had felt he was an idiot but that game/chat confirmed it. I havn't spoken to him since, he is the vilest nastiest person in our group, the least nice person there, typical fuking double faced hypocrit!

 

I also told him I was not surprised he could believe the lies spouted by that idiot TV channel since he was obviously willing to believe in any stupid supernatural concept. He thought the US was too socialist under Obama! I asked him "can you even name one MORE right-wing country where you'd be willing to live?" of course he could find none, so I offered Nigeria, Congo, Argentina in bygone years. Nope, he could not say since he never traveled, blah, what a moron!

 

Luckily, in that game, I'm in the most non-religious of the alliances, with a lot of Euro and down-under members, so it's all good :)

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Permalink Reply by 3equ3cp1fsw0n on December 22, 2010 at 6:41pm

It it annoys me to no end whem someone tells me they will pray for me and part of the reason it annoys me so much is, if someone says that to me, they obviously don't know me very well or they would not say that, and they don't understand what a "sore spot" religion is for me.

 

I would rather people to say "my thoughts are with you" or something like that if they are unsure of my attitude toward religion than to assume that I believe them praying for me is something good because I normally don't feel that way. I consider it annoying and presumptive even though I know they mean well. It also frustrates me further because I feel it would be rude to rebuke them no matter how diplomatically it is done so I hold my anger inside and come to this forum to vent lol (thanks guys :).

 

I have a current situation going on right now in my life where an extended relative that does not know me is sending me e-mails full of Jesus this and Jesus that and Jesus saves, and I will pray pray pray, and my Sunday School class is praying (for a family member in our family that has a serious illness right now) and it really irritates me but I did not want to explain to her how I am not religious so the best thing I could come up with was "thank you for your encouraging words" and I left it at that.

 

I am hoping she will get the hint that I really don't like to discuss religion because when I reply to her e-mails I never say anything about religion. Somehow I don't think she is going to get the hint but we shall see.

 

She is an older woman, in her 60's and has been through some tough times so I have no desire to say anything that would upset her in any way and I have a feeling if she knew I was an atheist she would make it a goal to try to get my heathern ass saved as soon as possible so I just want her to lay off with the religious talk, that's all I want.

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Permalink Reply by Adam Weber on December 22, 2010 at 7:18pm

'It it annoys me to no end whem someone tells me they will pray for me and part of the reason it annoys me so much is, if someone says that to me, they obviously don't know me very well or they would not say that, and they don't understand what a "sore spot" religion is for me.'

I will pray for you then ;).

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Permalink Reply by 3equ3cp1fsw0n on December 22, 2010 at 7:21pm

Alright wise guy.

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Permalink Reply by T A A on December 22, 2010 at 9:52pm

I consider it annoying and presumptive even though I know they mean well.

 

I disagree, when someone says, in a debate context, they will pray for you, they are being condescending, that sense of 'mean well' you get is their lie, and they need to be called out on that.

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Permalink Reply by Christopher Bricklemyer on December 23, 2010 at 2:27am

I agree. If it's innocuous, I'd say, "Thanks." But there's always that one time out of ten when they are trying to guilt me into a conversion. I just give them a crooked smile and say, "Hey, whatever helps you sleep at night."

 

It's all about context.

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Permalink Reply by Zero One on December 23, 2010 at 6:35am

I usually just take it as a complement, I still sometimes wonder though.. When people say that is it true? Do they really even take the time to pray for you/me?  I have come to the conclusion that if someone states that they will pray for you and then they don't they actually do not really believe it will help either. This outcome just fuels my thoughts and convictions that there is not a god (at least in the general christian sense).

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Permalink Reply by Bryn on December 23, 2010 at 3:32pm

Just say thanks. If they genuinely are going to pray for you, even though it won't do a thing, the sentiment behind it is kind, which can easily be respected in its own right. And if they are saying it in a passive- aggressive way because they know you are an atheist, still say thanks. Just because they are being rude to you is no excuse to be rude back, and being rude to them about religion merely perpetuates the stereotype of the angry, rude atheist. 

Yes, someone telling you that they'll pray for you is making the assumption that you agree with their beliefs. But most people hold their beliefs close to them, and equate an attack on their beliefs as an attack on themselves. 

Live and let live, man. :)

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Permalink Reply by bay_naam on December 23, 2010 at 3:43pm

yes, I also have to face this situation every day I just keep quite

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