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.

OOOOOOOOOOPS

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2 minutes ago, proudgrammy said:

@elforman

@Alex Brecher

i have not received most of posts in this subject

then i got a few - at least a dozen not received

pop up at button bottom will show new post - i

have not received

not showing in my mail

kathy

I think it's the intent like a previous poster said. The intent usually is meant in a nice, supportive, "I'll do what I can for you". At the holidays I generally say Merry Christmas to people because that's what I celebrate. If I know someone is Jewish, I try to remember to say Happy Hanukah. I would hope if I slip up they wouldn't take offense but would accept it with the cheer and greeting it was intended.

I think that unless someone knows you, most religious statements are more a testament to what the speaker believes not what they think you believe. If I say Merry Christmas that tells you what I believe. To be honest a lot of people who say that during the holidays do so in honor of season, as a greeting, not so much for religious meaning. It's just people trying to be nice. Same thing with saying "I'll pray for you". They're not trying to convert you... just saying what they believe might help you even if you don't believe it.

I hear your point of view but I find it hard to not see good intentions. If someone knows you're atheist and greet you in a religious way or in an unkind, throw it in you face kinda way then I see the issue. But if someone doesn't know you and they're saying something they honestly think is kind, it's hard to see the harm. I know I say Bless you when someone sneezes all the time. I do it in a gesture of kindness. I hope someone wouldn't take offense but would know most people who say Bless You or even God Bless You mean well. In a world with so much cruelty and craziness, God or no God we can use all the humanity and kindness we can get.

Okay, so you're like a militant atheist, huh? I am also an atheist, and I do not get offended when people say they are going to pray for me--I say thank you. I think you need a snickers.

Not to make light, because I do cringe at times when folks tell me "god has a plan" and things to those effect, but sometimes you just have to accept people as well-intentioned, even if they are a bit oblivious.

@Alex Brecher

getting notifications on bottom of page - that their ia new posy "Pray For Me"

still not receiving - any chhance you can send this to me.

Hot topic i would like to read

kathy

I don’t think saying that I will pray for someone assumes anything about them rather it says something about me. To use the chicken example if you choose to slaughter a chicken in my honor I don’t care. I’m not slaughtering it, you are.

The act of praying for someone doesn’t mean I think that person is religious it means that I am.

I wouldn’t be offended by that....

I don't believe in any religion but if someone says they'll pray for me I say thank you. They're not imposing their belief on me. Instead they're going out of their way to think of me in my time of need. Honestly, I think you might be a little... uptight. No reason to get offended or upset. That's a waste of energy.

Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal App

I believe in God, but I don't impose my personal views on anyone or try to change what they believe. That being said, I have often said "I'll be praying for you" because that's what I would want someone to do for me. However, this is generally said to family or people I am close to (people that I am close enough to know and share life with).

If it bothers you couldn't you simply remind them you're an atheist?

I would just suck up the positive intentions. If you tell them you are an atheist, they are going to pray for you even harder. You sure can’t have THAT going down. ?

This is the same as someone wishing you Merry Christmas assuming you are Christian, people use their own reference points to relate to others to show sympathy , empathy, joy , and all other emotions. It can get repetitively annoying but it is a chance to educate someone on how to respond to a diverse population

So.. you needed to tell all of us not to wish you well in any personal way we would. Noted. If you don’t want support in the way folks would offer it, don’t use a support forum. Just go Google your issues and keep your negative boogers to yourself. Be well, Dear Atheist.

Even if you are an atheist prayers can be good thoughts. Nothing wrong with good thoughts right??

4 hours ago, elforman said:

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.

I just assume they say it or do it or hell both to make themselves feel better. I never actually care if they are doing it or not and i dont begrudge someone else the need for the emotional support i assume they get.

like water over a ducks back i just let it roll over me.

If you get angry or upset you just give someone else emotional leverage over you and i see no point in that.

If you dont believe then they are just words like "how you doing today" when nobody actually wants to know how your doing they just say the words.

Learn to let it go and be happy they are not going home to stick pins in a elforman doll.

to each his own on their own journey.

Edited May 30, 20188 yr by allwet

6 hours ago, elforman said:

how about a little common courtesy and not just assuming I believe as you do and leaving your religion out of it?

Hear, hear to that.

I am an agnostic and have no truck with formal religion of any sort.

People may pray for me if they wish but no-one is listening ... but I am glad that it feeds their self-satisfaction.

4 hours ago, YeahOkay31 said:

I think you need a snickers.

That will cause me to vomit on you or to have a moderately severe anaphylactic reaction.