So, here's a topic I know may anger some, but is there anyone else who can't stand when someone just assumes you're religious and offers to pray for you? As an atheist, I never presume to guess what anyone else's beliefs are and I don't go around telling random people there is no god, especially in a time of turmoil or crisis. So when I tell someone I'm having surgery, or about any other significant event, whether in person or online, how about a little common courtesy and not just assuming I believe as you do and leaving your religion out of it?

I'm not looking to debate the existence of god here, I'm just trying to get people to realize that other people believe differently than they do and to not make assumptions.

Glad all is well... and cars are much improved and reinforced... due to research...you know ... scientific evidence.
NOT a fictional superior being.
Keep being you!!!

Thank you all for the kind words. I generally try to avoid being reactive and angry on these kinds of threads, but I know I was a little extra raw here. This week....wasn't my best week. Has been a bit stressful. Sorry how much that showed.

In addition to the car impound/salvage yard/doctor appointments added to my schedule, I'm also taking the kiddo to and from work.....and have my inlaws as house guests for the next two weeks. (grateful to be sharing a few days with other family and friends).....and trying to find and purchase another kid car. It's a lot.

On the plus side, I'm averaging about 18,000 steps a day between cleaning and chasing a million errands...and now, entertaining family, cooking, doing activities, etc. Have my period now, but am bound to have a nice weight loss at the end. That's way too much information. But yeah....this whole mess should be helpful on the scale.

I'm exhausted. I'd take tomorrow off....except that it's kiddo's birthday, and her new roommate at college is ALSO coming for a visit and plans to stay the night tomorrow. And all these visitors would have been great if not for having my prep time grossly cut by the tree accident.

Hubby is chipping in, but has crazy unexpected issues at work to deal with, too. It's just been nuts.

Won't say I'm sorry about how I feel.....but I will say I'm sorry about my lack of tact and extreme reaction. Was extremely honest, but perhaps not my finest moment.

Edited June 5, 20188 yr by Creekimp13

I hope I’m not offending anyone by saying “good luck.” To many, the idea of luck is unprovable and impossible.

@Creekimp13 How terrifying for your daugther, happy all is well for you and yours!

Of all the possible things you could be angry about, you are angry because someone is offering goodwill towards you, in the way they know how to offer it?
We only have power over ourselves and how we behave.

Thank you for openly sharing your thoughts on this. Interesting

Hmmm, thoughts and prayers offends you? I would venture to say that most folks who say “I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers” seldom actually do. It is just a saying wishing someone well and that you are concerned for them. This offends you? Got it...maybe the world would be better off if folks don’t say that? Let me know how that works out...

12 minutes ago, SAU said:

Hmmm, thoughts and prayers offends you? I would venture to say that most folks who say “I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers” seldom actually do. It is just a saying wishing someone well and that you are concerned for them. This offends you? Got it...maybe the world would be better off if folks don’t say that? Let me know how that works out...

I think the overuse of "thoughts and prayers" make it very disingenuous. Politicians use that tired old phrase all of the time and hardly care. Instead of thoughts and prayers, offer solutions!

Along with "Trust Me" I have your best interests at Heart" and an ultimate kicker" I came to Congress to represent YOU!"? A poetic thought from my youth in the 60s
Every Congessman has 2 ends
A sitting end and a thinking end
And since their whole success in Congress depends upon their seat
Why bother writing letters, my Friend?
Smiles from Ohio's ❤ and me!

I am an atheist as well and I not only don't take offense I say "Thank You". Why would I get upset? The person is simply wishing me well in the most sincere and profound way that they know how. Moreover what is there even to get upset about? It is not an insult or them trying to upset me in any way shape or form. If you do get upset about this then I think that says more about your personal insecurities than anything else. Suck it up buttercup!

10 hours ago, Creekimp13 said:

Won't say I'm sorry about how I feel.....but I will say I'm sorry about my lack of tact and extreme reaction. Was extremely honest, but perhaps not my finest moment.

Explanation is not owed. We all have those days and moments. We are passionate about our beliefs and no one should apologize for them.

1 hour ago, Mattymatt said:

I think the overuse of "thoughts and prayers" make it very disingenuous. Politicians use that tired old phrase all of the time and hardly care. Instead of thoughts and prayers, offer solutions!

Unfortunately there isn't a solution for everything. And most of the time, we shouldn't be offering solutions to some of the major problems people post about on here. I see a lot of posts that should be answered by a medical professional. Nonetheless, "thoughts and prayers" are another way to say that you won't be forgotten, and you are on my mind. I'm not suggesting that because I pray for you that it will automatically "cure or save you", its just a way to say that I'm carrying you with me throughout my day.

1 hour ago, Syntax_Attack said:

I am an atheist as well and I not only don't take offense I say "Thank You". Why would I get upset? The person is simply wishing me well in the most sincere and profound way that they know how. Moreover what is there even to get upset about? It is not an insult or them trying to upset me in any way shape or form. If you do get upset about this then I think that says more about your personal insecurities than anything else. Suck it up buttercup!

When I'm in distress the last thing I want or need is someone reminding me that they're calling on their imaginary friends for help, and even worse, they think that I should appreciate and support their delusion. I've literally suffered in my life because of people's moronic beliefs, ranging from girls not being allowed to date me by their parents in middle school because I wasn't the same religion as them to actually getting beaten up at age 13 after some idiot kid learned in church that the Jews killed Jesus. I had nothing but problems with my ex wife's family over the fact that I didn't believe in their fairy tales. I see women's reproductive rights restricted and gays demonized and declined services because of what religious books of fairy tales and horror stories tell their followers. I see school boards try to teach creationism and deny science and evolution.

So to you and everyone else who says to shrug it off, I say screw you. I refuse to accept and normalize any religion in any form.

3 minutes ago, elforman said:

When I'm in distress the last thing I want or need is someone reminding me that they're calling on their imaginary friends for help, and even worse, they think that I should appreciate and support their delusion. I've literally suffered in my life because of people's moronic beliefs,

How does someone wishing you well in their own way cause you to suffer? It seems you have quite the victim mentality going here. If you aren't a strong enough person to shrug off someone saying they will pray for you then you probably need to be told to toughen up. You don't get to dictate how others believe or even how they talk to you. You can cut out people from your life but you don't get to choose how everyone else interacts with you and if you can't handle that I honestly don't know how you expect to make it through life.

14 minutes ago, Syntax_Attack said:

You can cut out people from your life but you don't get to choose how everyone else interacts with you and if you can't handle that I honestly don't know how you expect to make it through life.

While I can see with both points of view, I resonate with this comment. There is a lot that I find offensive in life. I mean, I started to type out a list, but it's too long. If I chose to take all that I find offensive, personally, I wouldn't have relationships with all the people in my life. Everyone has a different set of morals and beliefs. Everyone sees things differently. SERIOULSY PEOPLE, imagine all the things you find offensive.... what if you took this closed minded stance with everyone.....