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What do you say?
When someone comments that they will pray for you, what do you say back? Even when I was a pretending christian I felt awkward when people said they would pray for me....
Two hands working can do more than a thousand clasped in prayer. - Anonymous
and another one I am pseudo-quoting since I can't find a reference at the moment........
Helping hands are far more useful than praying ones.
Two hands working can do more than a thousand clasped in prayer. - Anonymous
and another one I am pseudo-quoting since I can't find a reference at the moment........
Helping hands are far more useful than praying ones.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Najo on -
Right, if it's sincere, I just smile. I don't find it offensive.
But when a person tells me this right after they realize that I'm an atheist, I find it annoying. But I still act civil. I don't say 'thank you' or anything else that would encourage it since I don't want to be flooded with invitations to their next prayer meeting. XD
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Permalink Reply by Brigette Nonya on -
As an ICU/ER RN I get lots of folks wanting me to pray with them. I often participate as I see it as a harmless (albiet useless) gesture, that helps the family of a dying loved one.
When people say they will pray for me I say thanks and leave it at that...as they don't know me, or they'd never offer.
I love the annonymous quote!
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Permalink Reply by Liz Richey on -
I live in the south and am a member of the local Woman's club full of a bunch of the good ole' southern ladies. Only 2 members (both from NY as I am) know I am an Atheist. When someone offers to pray for me I say thanks. My better half has told his Aunt when she has said it "OK- if it makes you feel any better about yourself-do it!"
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Permalink Reply by Heather Crosby on -
It all depends on how they say it to me. If it a genuine well wishing I take it as such. Like if I say my mom is really ill, and someone says that they will pray she gets better, I thank them and move on.
If I tell someone about my lack of beliefs and they say they'll pray for me, I remind them that such action would be pointless. :P
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Permalink Reply by SBrooks on -
I'm with most everyone else; for the most part I just say thank you and move on. I take it as the nice sentiment that they usually mean it to be. Now if they are being smarta$$ about it, where in I tell someone that I am not a christian and then they tell me they will pray for me, well i dont like that so much sometimes I might say something, other times I just let it go. My parents have known for sometime that I am atheist but they still say lets pray when we eat dinner together and I just bow my head and wait for them to finish at first I thought why should I indulge them in any way. But I came to realize that its part of who they are and they have accepted me as non christian so I must accept them and not cause a stink everytime I'm put in a religous situation. Part of that conclusion came from the fact that I am an atheist but do not think it defines me. It is but a small part of who I am. Unfortunately we live (well me anyway, KY is all about church) in a society where it is impossible to live a life that isnt in some way affected by religion.
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Permalink Reply by NamelessGenXer on -
"Helping hands are far more useful than praying ones." is right on the money! I usually say something like "Listen: since praying is a total waste of time, why don't you do something that actually creates positive results, like tutoring inner city children or cleaning up a park."
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Permalink Reply by Dacx on -
I tell them I don't need their prayer...I just need their money.
Actually, I don't worry too much about it. If they want to pray for me, let them pray for me as long as they aren't pushing their crap on to me I'm fine.
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Permalink Reply by Hank Fox on
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It's happened a couple of times, and I'm never sure how to answer it.
If they know you're an unbeliever, the one thing you MUST do is realize they're insulting you. There can be no more condescending thing to say than the equivalent of "I don't respect your beliefs, so I'll just do as I see fit, you poor misguided thing."
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Heh. Another thing I do, come to think of it, is when a person says "Bless you!" when I sneeze, I sometimes say "No, thanks - I'm a Sneeze Atheist!"
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Permalink Reply by Barmaid on -
Talking to your imaginary friend only helps you; not me. Have a nice day.
Best one so far! Though I do still like "I'll think for you" and Dennett's "sacrificing a goat" - now a more entertaining collection of retorts - thanks!
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Permalink Reply by Sarah Doli on -
Hahaha, we call this Christian-Lite.
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