irishajo

Someone asked this question on another forum (non-religious) so I thought I'd post it here and see what y'all have to say.

Why is it ok when someone says 'you're in my thoughts' but when they say 'I'll pray for you' it becomes a problem?

I have my own reasons but I'm interested in what others have to say.

[ May 06, 2002: Message edited by: Walks the Fire ]</p>

Daggah

It's arrogant and disrespectful of our [lack of] beliefs.

Born Free

I think Daggah sums it up pretty much in a nutshell.

jordan_tar

Because, as some say, "nothing fails like prayer." During the time they spend whispering nonsense into the empty sky, they could be doing things of so much more value to me, themselves, and others...

Grumpy

I'm not frightened by the words "I'll pray for you." I am worried about someone who uses them, unaware of the logical contradiction it entails.*

Take the case of someone who wants to pray for my soul, or so I will see the light. Are they asking God to zap my brain, or to arrange circumstances so that I will become a believer? Either way, if God has that power, then nobody should be an unbeliever.

Likewise, it bugs me to see lawmakers pray before doing government business -- not because of any constitutional conflict, but because of the same dilemma posed above. If God can imbue politicians with "wisdom" or "compassion," then he can do the same thing for potential criminals. This gives God the power to avert human evil, and since such evils are obviously not averted, God is responsible for them.

Anyone who does not want God to be responsible for human evil should quit begging God to increase human goodness.

*Those who use prayer as a pleasantry don't bother me. It is only those who earnestly believe they can affect the material world thru their incantations that put me on edge.

Gar

Saying "I'll pray for you" is almost liek saying "good luck", but it makes the person feel like they are doing something to help when in fact they are not.

DMB

Prayer doesn't scare me in itself. I am worried by the fact that large numbers of people seem to believe that prayer is a worthwhile activity and even more that some seem to think it a substitute for really useful action.

But then I am also worried by the numbers of people who believe in things like astrology and homeopathy.

Krieger

Yes, and often times Xians will say that to "out" atheists, just because they know that it offends us.

Mecha_Dude

At school, there's a guy who says "God Bless you" every time he passes me 'cuz he knows I'm an Atheist.

freemonkey

It seems to me that when someone "keeps me in their thoughts", that person is making a little room in their life for me and cares, regardless of whether or not they can actually help.

Whereas someone who is "praying" for me assumes that prayer is what is needed, that prayer is what I believe will help, and that their god will decide whether or not to help. I haven't taken the time to be offended by this, however.