A question for atheists

Atheist here.

If someone decided to pray for me, BECAUSE I was an atheist, I would say thank you.

If someone decided to pray for me because I was in a car accident, and severely injured. I would say thank you.

I truly think, no matter how egotistical, it is still a WELL MEANING gesture.

Originally posted by spacedoubt
Atheist here.

If someone decided to pray for me, BECAUSE I was an atheist, I would say thank you.


I truly think, no matter how egotistical, it is still a WELL MEANING gesture.

And you think this even though they are praying for you because they think you are absolutely wrong, and because of that should be condemned to "Hell" for all eternity"

I think that praying for me is just another way of saying "F*** You and your pagan beliefs"

Originally posted by Rasobasi420
I think that praying for me is just another way of saying "F*** You and your pagan beliefs"

Even if they're not aware of your "pagan beliefs?"

Like I said in my reply, I take the offer in the spirit it was given. Most of the time, this means that the person offering the prayer feels it will do some good when they, themselves, can do nothing directly for me -- If I'm injured, or just got laid off, for example. Since very few people I know are doctors, nurses, or have hiring/firing power at their company, it's about the most they can do

That said, I have had people try to use the phrase as an attack but generally in those cases I'll just shrug or laugh it off. I find it amusing that some people think they can earn enough god-points to get into heaven by pointing out how hellbound other people are.

Atheist #1: "Great, they are praying for me .. . .. again!?!"

Atheist #2: "Perhaps they feel obligated to do so, it makes them feel better about their own existance, their own purpose."

Athiest #1: "Ya, but their God is not my God, and if I don't recognize their God, why then would their God force them to recognize me, and then pray for me?"

Atheist #2: "How the hell should I know? I'm an atheist."

Atheist #1: "Well then, if I don't recognize their God, why does their God recognize me?"

Atheist #2: "Honestly, if I were to answer that question of why their God recognizes you, then I acknowledge God's existance and I wouldn't be an atheist, now would I?"

Believer #1: "I'll pray for your souls, and quote scripture and tell you how best to live your life .. .. . "

True Believer#1: "Be true to yourselves, walk your paths, make your choices, but make those choices as you wished others did. If God wanted the same relationship with everyone, everyone would be the same. Be yourselves. If you want the truth, and are prepared for it, you'll have it. You are all perfect, just the way you are."

Believer #1: "Blasphemer! I'll pray for you."

True Believer #1: "To your God who you don't believe is here, but far, far, far away? Thanks. You keep praying, I'll keep listening."

Atheists #1 & #2: "What is the difference between Believer #1 and True Beleiver #1?"

True Believer #1: "You'd have to visit the thread by Benevolent Heretic about that subject matter, this is a different thread topic."

Originally posted by Rasobasi420

And you think this even though they are praying for you because they think you are absolutely wrong, and because of that should be condemned to "Hell" for all eternity"

I think that praying for me is just another way of saying "F*** You and your pagan beliefs"

I can understand that.
But, I don't really care what someone thinks of my religious beliefs.
They would be entitled to their opinion. It's just not worth getting all worked up over.

Originally posted by Esoteric Teacher
Atheist #1: "Great, they are praying for me .. . .. again!?!"
...

sigh. Still picking on atheists ET? I'll pray for you.

Originally posted by Esoteric Teacher
Atheist #1: "Great, they are praying for me .. . .. again!?!"

Err, I don't get it... You're saying people have different opinions on things?

Zip

Originally posted by spamandham
sigh. Still picking on atheists ET? I'll pray for you.

Tradition dictates that all non believers be subjected to systematic persecution.. just make sure you keep a fire extinguisher handy just in case they start aburning again.

[edit on 24-11-2005 by riley]

I used to take it ("I'll pray for you.") as more of an insult than I do now. If it comes from a friend I know they're saying it because they care. If it comes from some stranger whom I have only had contact with in debating religion I normally take it as an insult because it comes off as one final jab at the end of an argument saying, "Well too bad my efforts have failed to help you become enlightened". It feels like they are trying to say (albeit in a nice way), "psst, you know you're wrong by the way". All in all I wish they would just say it to themselves. When they say it aloud I assume they are saying it more for themselves than for me. I still get a knee-jerk reaction thinking, "Well screw you too man". But anymore I try to give them the benefit of the doubt, especially if it's been an interesting discussion.