Praying for an Athiest

[EvianBaby]

I have thought long and hard about venturing into this topic as I usually do my best to avoid it but I would be interested to hear others thoughts on something.

If as an athiest, you (or someone close to you) became ill, how would you feel about someone religious saying they will be praying for you?

Would you take any comfort from it or would you be annoyed/offended by it and maybe even ask them not to?

Or as someone with religion, would you pray for someone even if you knew they were athiest? Would it make any difference to you?

I'd really appreciate it if answers could just be kept to personal opinions on the question and avoid any arguments over who's right and who's wrong, etc.

Thanks!

[rowanwitch]

I did wonder.....

[DTCwordfan]

If it makes them feel good, so be it......

They may just hit a trigger of homeopathic mental health and assist in a cure. I believe we still have plenty to discover as to the power of the brain and perhaps other energy/telecommunicative forms.

[mibn2cweus]

If you feel that you must pray for me, please pray in silence to the God you believe hears your thoughts.

If I am not well the last thing I need is to be reminded of that which in life has been my greatest source of despair, living in a world overrun by those whose minds are poisoned by the irrationality of belief in the absurd and who have abandoned reason as the only means by which to make life a meaningful and worthwhile proposition.

In my time of dying, please, don't pray for me. Save your prayers instead for those that believe prayer is either a necessary or effective way to deal with the consequences of ignorance and delusion, and especially for those poor souls that I'm leaving behind who will have to continue to put up with their nonsense.

[RATTER15]

Well said, mibn2cweus :)

[Ann]

My Mum was very very ill 13 years ago, the doctors told us several times she would not last the night. We believe, as a Christian family and churchgoers that Mum pulled through by the sheer power of prayer and Gods grace. The whole church prayed for her for the entire 10 weeks she was in hospital and she came out with no ill effects - a complete and utter miracle.

[mibn2cweus]

D'oh! :o/

[sith123]

yes, i would pray for someone if they were atheists, however i wouldnt start getting carried away and saying it out load. I would just pray for them in my head. (if you get what i mean)

[naomi24]

//If I am not well the last thing I need is to be reminded of that which in life has been my greatest source of despair//

Despair is exactly the word I use to sum up my feelings on 'faith'. Crediting 'God' for the successes of medical teams who, through science, possess the knowledge and the skill to save lives often in the most unlikely circumstances, is the greatest of insults to those people. Where the religious are concerned, the task of a dedicated doctor is a thankless one. Credit where credit is due!

[RATTER15]

Ann86, or the Dr's were just wrong! Im glad your Mum made and is well again.

We have been told the same in the home I work in, we have even been told to withdraw all medication, and they have still survived and then put back on their medication, no prayers, no family, the Dr's do get it wrong sometimes, "no miracles!!"

[vetuste_ennemi]

Sith, you have turned purple. It looks very nasty. I will pray for you.

[LazyGun]

Ahh, the eloquence of Homer! Sacrelicious! :)

Its a free country, and if someone wants to pray for me, thats up to them. On balance, I would rather they didn't though. And those that come up to you and say "I will pray for you" - I do find that more than a little irritating, because, if they know my views, that just seems provocative, and more than a little sanctimonious.

[sandyRoe]

OK. From now on I'll do good by stealth. I'll continue to pray for all ABers but won't say anymore about my good deeds.

[woofgang]

Lazy gun as someone who prays I find that annoying too, feels more like they are saying "I will pray AT you"

[vetuste_ennemi]

Sith, it worked!

[RATTER15]

Isnt praying just another way of begging, I thought this God was supposed to know what was going on, why do we need to point it out and have millions of people begging him for what they want.

Maybe he isnt actually watching?

http://www.google.co....32&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0

[vulcan]

When my wife was seriously ill with cancer a born again Christian told me, Prayer was the only answer. I couldn't help noticing a few years later when his MIL got cancer he took her for every type of treatment, including shock hypnotism, he could find.

[RATTER15]

Exactly Vulcan, I dont understand why any religious person would need to go to a GP or hospital when a prayer would do the trick!

[sith123]

haha, vetuste, funny. however if that was the case of you trying to act funny it did not work. I dont pray for stupid things like a little cold or a headache. if someones on their deathbed however than yes.

[sith123]

when have religious people said that you do not need treatment. actually rephrase that. only a stupid person would say that you do not need treatment. I believe that if there is treatment than take it.