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, NYJenn said:

You’re not offended you just want to start drama... give it up

FFS, he's just making the point that he wants EQUALITY of sensitivity and, in future events, a respect of his right to NOT believe in a deity (or deities).

1 minute ago, Rainbow_Warrior said:

I accept THE FIRST TIME that they comfort me or say something that they consider positive or supportive that it's okay ... but I pick, as well as I can, a time later to tell them that I do not believe in the existence of a god, multiple gods, deities, etc.

I then expect them to be more sensitive to my feelings in future exchanges.

That's perfectly reasonable if they want to maintain a relationship.

A Christian, an Atheist, a Jew and a Muslim walk into a bar.....

And they hang out, eat peanuts, share pics of their kids and spouses, complain about work, laugh, and talk about life......because none of them are arseholes.

On 05/31/2018 at 11:28, Creekimp13 said:

Meh...I suppose. I don't get upset about people praying for me. It's fine. And like I say...I know most people mean to be helpful.

I'm just trying to explain why it's pointless to tell an Atheist you're praying for them....and why it isn't received as it's intended.

If you're a big prayer person....maybe the best idea is to pray for your Atheist friends silently and not tell them about it?

That way you get your prayer fix and don't annoy them when they're already up against some kinda issue.

I think that's the crux of it....adding insult to injury.

Like...hey, you recognize I'm having a hard time right now...and you're choosing to push your agenda on me anyway?

It just kinda sucks and isn't appreciated.

Sometimes saying nothing is being a better friend.

Why do you assume there trying to push an agenda?

Anyhow, I guess It’s just weird to me now people get upset over a few words.

I mean if this a friend they should know... or hear that it bothers you. But an acquaintance? Someone on a message board? Whatever.

On 05/31/2018 at 11:54, elforman said:

If every time you sneezed someone said "There is no god" would you just put it out of your mind?

If every piece of currency said "There is no god" would you just put it out of your mind?

If every time politicians spoke they said "There is no god" would you put it out of your mind?

If you were about to undergo a life-changing medical procedure and strangers supported you by saying "There is no god" would you just put it out of your mind?

If you lost someone close to you and someone in your time of grief said "There is no god?" would you just put it out of your mind?

Try putting yourself in our shoes for a bit and understand how constantly inundated with religion we are. All I have said is that it is not asking much for people to keep their religion to themselves in times of grief.

I find it interesting you assume I believe in God or a god. I haven’t said one way or the other. I would feel just fine if someone said any combination of those things. I also comment similarly on people’s threads who complain about people who say “you’re not fat enough for surgery” or whatever or call people bullies.

I am a firm believer in not letting people’s words have power over us no matter what they are.

I also find it slightly different... claiming a belief (I will pray for you, god bless you) versus denying someone else’s belief (there is no god).

Regardless neither would bother me. Nor would any comment meant as a kindness that came out as an insult. Actually even those meant as insults rarely bother me for long, unless it is someone I am close to.

On 05/31/2018 at 11:54, elforman said:

If every time you sneezed someone said "There is no god" would you just put it out of your mind?

If every piece of currency said "There is no god" would you just put it out of your mind?

If every time politicians spoke they said "There is no god" would you put it out of your mind?

If you were about to undergo a life-changing medical procedure and strangers supported you by saying "There is no god" would you just put it out of your mind?

If you lost someone close to you and someone in your time of grief said "There is no god?" would you just put it out of your mind?

Try putting yourself in our shoes for a bit and understand how constantly inundated with religion we are. All I have said is that it is not asking much for people to keep their religion to themselves in times of grief.

For the record I consider myself agnostic leaning towards humanist.

On 05/31/2018 at 12:04, Matt Z said:

I totally get this. I typically don't let it bother me, just like I don't really get too worked up with all the Flatearthers bs. I tend to scoff internally about how I can't fathom why anyone needs a magical controller to be happy or to explain what can't yet be explained.



I can say without any uncertainty that everyone here can thank those less or non-religious for their lives, because if it wasn't for those that bucked religion and backed science, none of us would have ever had WLS. Hell, more than half of us wouldn't even be alive.



I don't prescribe to the "atheist" tag, mainly because I don't know. To say that there isn't something much more powerful than I, that just happens to exist outside my perception of the universe that happens to live WAY the hell longer than I do, doesn't exist, is just as daft as saying one does exist. We are still infants, barely able to stand at the door looking out the screen at the yard in front of us and assuming that's all of existence without knowing or seeing the rest of the world that sprawls outward ahead of us. We've got a a LONG way to go as a species, religion is just an archaic answer to questions we've already started to be able to answer.



That said, whatever Jelly's your Donut as long as you don't attempt to jelly mine.

Exactly this!

Personally, and I am not a Christian, I don’t mind when people say they’ll keep me in their prayers/thoughts/etc UNLESS they’re saying it in a condescending way (example: I’ve had someone find out I’m not a Christian and say they’ll pray for me to come around and find Christ - that’s rude). Having someone say that they’re keeping your well being in their heart, regardless of whether or not you share their particular belief system, is sweet.

Again, only speaking for myself here. I don’t think Christians mean any disrespect when they say something like that to you.

18 minutes ago, Love2Travel816 said:

I don’t think Christians mean any disrespect when they say something like that to you.

You don’t think ALL Christians mean any disrespect when they say something like that to you or ME.

Sadly, @Love2Travel816 , some do. It's quite clear after I've told them my feelings & beliefs, yet they persist in some form of proselytisation or missionary-like zeal.

Censorship sucks.

Aaaaannnnndddd this is what’s wrong with this country. Instead of taking a good intentioned comment for the what it is, it is twisted into something offensive. All this person wants for you (a stranger) is to be well and you, in turn, rant about it. I’ve had Jewish (I’m not Jewish) prayers sent my way and guess what? I didn’t cry about it and run to social media, I said thank you! Again, I said thank you.

7 minutes ago, Bree130 said:

Aaaaannnnndddd this is what’s wrong with this country. Instead of taking a good intentioned comment for the what it is, it is twisted into something offensive. All this person wants for you (a stranger) is to be well and you, in turn, rant about it. I’ve had Jewish (I’m not Jewish) prayers sent my way and guess what? I didn’t cry about it and run to social media, I said thank you! Again, I said thank you.

This is about being considerate to someone you're trying to console. Taking their feelings and beliefs into account and not just making assumptions that what comforts you comforts them. I have said from top to bottom here that I know people who offer prayers mean well and I appreciate the sentiment, but would it be so hard for those people to take a half second and think of the other person's situation?

And as for what is wrong with this country, just look in the mirror. It's you and your "it's good enough for me so it should be good enough for someone else" that's the real problem. I'm not you.

I am Christian ,raised vehemently evangelical, much more mellow Protestant now, that said when my middle son died unexpectedly at 31, my Jewish co-worker lit candles at temple, 3 people, one my Cousin had masses said in his memory, people in most of the mainline Protestant churches here prayers were said, I had a Muslim friend from Pakistan who said words were spoken in his honor at his Columbus mosque. And my 3 atheist and 1 agnostic acquaintances, why they shared their memories of my son. It did not matter to me in the long run what they believed or didn't believe, the important thing I was surrounded by a warm caccoon of love, at a time when I wasn't even sure I wanted to continue life without my baby . And I did survive, what ever type of belief or non-belief, love alone got me through.???

If someone's biggest gripe/rant or rave in life is that someone says' bless you' or 'I'll pray for you', they indeed have a wonderful life.

Best to worry about the things you can control and the things that you can't control let them go, makes for a less stressful life.

How can I get this thread to not show up in my timeline or trending feeds? I’m tired of seeing this