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.

1 hour ago, geenasullivan said:

Just because someone offers prayers does not mean they assume you are religious.

But, Geena, when you tell CONSCIOUS people that you do not believe in imaginary friends in the sky and that you have no truck with prayers or chats with deities, they should not come back on another occasion and over-ride your wishes and beliefs NOR attempt to proselytise.

Several of us have made this point previously and it seems to go over the heads of others in the thread.

I found this post while flipping through here. My heart goes out to you. This response prompts me to pray more for you. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are real; I speak with them daily. I will pray that you will come to know their endless, boundless love that is like no other. All these words are said in love and encouragement.

58 minutes ago, LibbyT85 said:

I found this post while flipping through here. My heart goes out to you. This response prompts me to pray more for you. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are real; I speak with them daily. I will pray that you will come to know their endless, boundless love that is like no other. All these words are said in love and encouragement.

See, this is exactly the problem. You know @Rainbow_Warrior isn't religious, yet you are going to state that your belief supersedes Rainbow_Warrior's? Just because you talk to yourself, doesn't mean that what you believe is a God exists.

How about I get a few of my Satanic friends to worship to Satan in your honor? To have them pray to Satan for you? I can do this if you want, or I can do this if you don't want. How you would feel if I told you I just reached out to them and they are going to have a special service at their temple in your honor, to pray to Satan to show you the truth? Would you be so appreciative?

It's not the initial ignorance that's a problem. (or lack of compassion that others might not share your views), it's the continued pressure / insistence that somehow if someone doesn't believe in what you do, that your imposition of prayer for that person, is what's best for them... I mean, as I've stated before, I don't care. But if you can't say that you'd be as appreciative of any other religion praying, doing worship, doing rituals, etc in your honor when they know you don't believe in whatever that is... Odds are, you won't be as appreciate as you expect others to be when you do it. This is the root of this issue (as I see it), that someone's personal will doesn't matter because of someone else's personal opinion of religion.

Live and Let Live, but if someone tells you to not pray for them, it's disrespectful and rude to disregard that persons wishes, regardless of your own personal opinion.

Edited June 20, 20188 yr by Matt Z

Hi, Matt. I understand what you’re saying. What I’m telling you and the person who posted this originally, is that it is impossible for me to live and let live. I will not bother you with my beliefs but I want you all to know, who reads my replies, that believing there is no God and/or any way but the way of salvation through Jesus Christ, are sadly deceived. Even if you don’t believe me, get mad at me, hate me, make fun of me, or anything else, I know I have the Truth, I will continue to share it, pray for those who don’t have it and nothing will change that. Best of luck to you and this original poster in your weight loss journey. ?❤️

13 minutes ago, LibbyT85 said:

Hi, Matt. I understand what you’re saying. What I’m telling you and the person who posted this originally, is that it is impossible for me to live and let live. I will not bother you with my beliefs but I want you all to know, who reads my replies, that believing there is no God and/or any way but the way of salvation through Jesus Christ, are sadly deceived. Even if you don’t believe me, get mad at me, hate me, make fun of me, or anything else, I know I have the Truth, I will continue to share it, pray for those who don’t have it and nothing will change that. Best of luck to you and this original poster in your weight loss journey. ?❤️

This is just more highlighting of the problem. You don't know anything. You only know what you were taught to believe. Belief is a funny thing. I haven't been deceived, I've been educated. I grew up Catholic, I went to CCD, I had one on one's with Sisters and Fathers, I also got in a lot of trouble because I asked questions that they couldn't answer.

Like a simple one, if God created only Adam and Eve, they had 2 boys, Cain and Abel, Cain kills Abel, so now we've got Adam, Eve and Cain in the whole world... yet, incest is a sin. So, where'd everyone else come from? I've asked so many religious people this question, and none of them have a good answer, and that's because there isn't an answer, because the bible is a story, that's been rewritten far too many times to count by far too many people to count. You'd be equally as "intelligent" if you based your life off of the book The Tommyknockers.

I'm not mad, I'm not hateful, I don't make fun of religious folks. I just can't fathom how you all can blindly follow a several thousand year old story as if it's real. I mean, we know the sun isn't the center of everything and the moon isn't made of cheese now... it's time to understand that, the bedtime story that you've based your life on, is just one long drawn out control mechanism.

Now, if you can't have the basic human decency and compassion to honor someone's wishes, then, you can keep whatever religion allows you to feel you are better that someone else over information that cannot be proven.

And again. You are free to believe as you wish, I will not stop you or make attempts to counter your beliefs and it would be great if you could at least do that much for the rest of humanity. Your opinions on unproven things don't have any effect on my life and I'd greatly appreciate you keeping your religion to yourself.

And @LibbyT85 Honest question, how do you feel about a Satanic Temple doing a worship in your honor?

Edited June 20, 20188 yr by Matt Z

To answer your honest question, whatever you choose to perform in the name of Satan holds no power over me. If you choose to do that, go ahead. The only person that it will be affecting is you, and in a horrible way. He is a Master Deceiver. To answer your other comments, I hurt for you and your system of logical belief. The brain cannot understand pure, honest faith. That resides in the heart and soul. Know this: the rest of humanity is my concern, that why I share. I’m no better than anybody else, in fact, I’m the lowest of people. I’m only somebody through Jesus Christ and His grace and love. I will continue to pray for you, Matt. I’m very sorry if I upset you, I hope you can forgive me. I will not sway from the Truth.

1 minute ago, LibbyT85 said:

To answer your honest question, whatever you choose to perform in the name of Satan holds no power over me. If you choose to do that, go ahead. The only person that it will be affecting is you, and in a horrible way. He is a Master Deceiver. To answer your other comments, I hurt for you and your system of logical belief. The brain cannot understand pure, honest faith. That resides in the heart and soul. Know this: the rest of humanity is my concern, that why I share. I’m no better than anybody else, in fact, I’m the lowest of people. I’m only somebody through Jesus Christ and His grace and love. I will continue to pray for you, Matt. I’m very sorry if I upset you, I hope you can forgive me. I will not sway from the Truth.

You haven't upset met... I don't understand where this "everyone is upset with me" logic comes from. You are free to believe whatever you want, but belief does not equal truth.

To be so focused on 1 thing, you've left yourself no room for the truth, you've only left room for your belief, your opinion. Do not confuse opinion with fact.

You can have faith, without religion. It seems only the blindfolded religious folks seem to feel that you can't have faith without religion, and that was one of religions greatest tricks. Enjoy your controller.

And to be clear where my lack of religion has gotten me.
I'm a proud father of 2 very well adjusted, always praised for how good they are children, that were brought up without lies and deceit.
I'm a proud husband of 20 years this year (and no we didn't have a church wedding, nor was it officiated by anyone from any religion).
I served my country.
I've co-founded a charity group CigarsForWarriors.org
I donate to charities very often.
I respect all life, all walks of life, all religions, all people, all sexs, all genders, all preferences. ALL HUMANS, unlike most "religious" folks that have issues with people for their choices.

I have no religion, but have more compassion it seems than you do.
My mind is open to so much more, my eyes are open to so much more, my life is open to so much more.

It's ok if you need someone to protect you, it's ok to still be a child. I chose to walk with my eyes open to what's real.

Remember, only Sheep need a Shepherd.

Edited June 20, 20188 yr by Matt Z

On 06/20/2018 at 09:29, Matt Z said:

You haven't upset met... I don't understand where this "everyone is upset with me" logic comes from. You are free to believe whatever you want, but belief does not equal truth.



To be so focused on 1 thing, you've left yourself no room for the truth, you've only left room for your belief, your opinion. Do not confuse opinion with fact.



You can have faith, without religion. It seems only the blindfolded religious folks seem to feel that you can't have faith without religion, and that was one of religions greatest tricks. Enjoy your controller.

I’m glad to hear that I haven’t upset you. You’re right. I have only room in my mind and heart for one way, one belief, one Savior. He’s all I need. He doesn’t control me; I choose to serve him because of everything He has done for me. That is more powerful than any controller. My relationship with Him isn’t based on religion or obligation, it’s based on perfect love, grace and a humble heart. There is no logic to explain it; it’s more powerful than that. We can go back and forth on this all day and I’m happy to research any questions you may have. What I have is the truth; I know that deep in my heart, soul and mind. I would love to share it with you.
I’m sorry you had such an experience with the Catholic Church. It sounds like it hurt you deeply; if you still have those same questions, I can help answer them for you. Keep talking with me, if you want. I will only answer in love and honesty.

1 minute ago, LibbyT85 said:

I’m glad to hear that I haven’t upset you. You’re right. I have only room in my mind and heart for one way, one belief, one Savior. He’s all I need. He doesn’t control me; I choose to serve him because of everything He has done for me. That is more powerful than any controller. My relationship with Him isn’t based on religion or obligation, it’s based on perfect love, grace and a humble heart. There is no logic to explain it; it’s more powerful than that. We can go back and forth on this all day and I’m happy to research any questions you may have. What I have is the truth; I know that deep in my heart, soul and mind. I would love to share it with you.
I’m sorry you had such an experience with the Catholic Church. It sounds like it hurt you deeply; if you still have those same questions, I can help answer them for you. Keep talking with me, if you want. I will only answer in love and honesty.

You clearly can't connect. Because you keep making statements about me that are so far from the truth... they can only be called lies.
Having my eyes opened to reality, to the actual truth. Hasn't hurt me at all, it's freed me and I'm very grateful for it.
I couldn't imagine my life, basing decisions and interactions off of some horribly written stories that can't even keep themselves straight.

Nothing you ever say is going to change the facts, the truth, the reality. I know humility and humble, I know love. I don't need religion, which no matter what you want to think, is a controlling faction. Clearly there is no logic, because it's based on fairy tales told by people that didn't know how to explain what they were seeing. Just because it's an old story, doesn't mean it's not just a story.

Anyone that believes someone is going to hell, for a choice they made with other consenting adults... and thinks that's "love"... seriously needs the truth, the real truth, not the fabrication you currently base your life on.

Your continued lack of respect shows me all I need to know.

Sometimes placebo is good medicine.

If a magic feather helps you get through the day, or an adult security blanket makes you feel safe....have at it.

Then again...sometimes this same placebo is used for group think to excuse hideous violent actions.

Religion can be used to benefit people. it can also be used as a scapegoat for the sickest most vile human impulses.

Mostly it's a steaming pile of placebo for crap you'd do anyway and want to justify as being important somehow. Most people are basically good and want to live a cooperative life of mutual respect for others because it benefits them to do so. There's no reason to frame this impulse in a set of conditions and rhetoric...unless you want to use it for tribalism. (a human weakness)

Life is tough and beautiful. It's an intense ride full of wonder and questions. No matter how difficult the truth is....I have faith....in science and reason.

Edited June 20, 20188 yr by Creekimp13

Couldn't you just say
THANK YOU BUT GOOD WISHS ATE SUFFICENT
I had some one tell, me
YOU'RE STILL GOING TO H E UGLY OUTSIDE!
I THINK AN UGLY OUTSIDE BEATS AN UGLY INSIDE, NO MATTER WHAT THE REASON

I think religious people who want to force **** on me that I don't want....are ugly inside. So ugly, in fact that they don't hear the word "NO"...sort of like rapists.

Most folks who tell you they want to pray for you aren't even thinking about what they're saying.

What they mean is to offer sympathy and hopes you'll be ok. I acknowledge that. And that's a lovely sentiment....and it's appreciated.

BUT...what they are verbally saying is....here is my religious dogma whether you want it or not. I will inflict it upon you in your time of need even though it's unwanted.

And that's wrong. It's ok to speak up so they think about it.

Edited June 20, 20188 yr by Creekimp13