Do atheists get offended when someone of faith prays for them?

Speaking for myself, yeah.

Some see it as an insult while others do not care
[ saying this because I prayed for a lot and I saw their reactions ]

Me personally… I do.

Even though mildly irritated may be a better description.

And of course… that only applies to those ‘in your face’ prayers. If I don’t know about it… ho could it possibly influence me?

Personally, no. I just find it, well, a bit pathetic and would rather have them not praying for me.
It does make me a bit curious how those christians would feel if a muslim prayed that the christian comes to his senses and convert to islam.

I don’t get offended but it does make me very uncomfortable. If people pray for me and don’t tell me, I don’t care.

To elaborate:
My grandma once told me she was praying for me. How fucking condescending is that, what’s so wrong with me that I need some deity’s intervention? Seriously, it creeps me out.

Prayer has harmed people. Not the prayer itself, but some people’s reliance on it. I’ve seen people die because of it. I don’t mean I actually witnessed them dying but I knew them, they prayed about their illness and did not seek medical assistance and guess what? They fucking died. In preschool, the girl I had a crush on died because her parents refused to let her get medical help, and instead insisted on prayer. Parental abuse? Yes. To the fatal extreme. By the way the girl was three.

I’m sure my dad prays for me. That’s fine, he’s a small man and can have his small ways, they are such comforts to him. I’m sure my mother prays for me, let her, it’s about the most she can do for me.

I’m offended that the people who pray for me, didn’t actually protect me growing up from brutal religious trauma. They relied on a god to do that, and that god’s worshipers, fucked me over pretty good. And my parents made the choice to subject me to that. Because they loved me, and they prayed about it and they felt right about it.

Fuck prayer in the bum. Anything else?

P.S. That Grandma is dead because she prayed about her illness instead of seeking medical care as well.

More uncomfortable than offended. I sometimes get a bit annoyed by it I guess (like a “roll of the eyes” annoyance).

Did I mention it offends me?

If the person has no knowledge that I am an atheist, no. Depending on the circumstances I might tell them because I would prefer they didn’t and/or if it was likely to be an ongoing thing or just let it slide because I know they are doing it out of care and concern and it would hurt them to insist they stop. Sometimes I think you need to be the bigger person and if it isn’t doing me any harm and isn’t going to be an ongoing situation, praying for me might give that person comfort.

If the person knows I am an atheist and lets me know they are praying for me, I would be offended and I would ask them to stop.

If someone wants to waste their time praying for me, it’s no skin off my nose.. If it makes them happy fine, just so long as they don’t get too conceited about it, as is usually the case with religious types….. Besides they wouldn’t really be praying for me, more like scoring a point for themselves :-/ Lol……. How dare they use me like that……….

To those who would be offended, you didn’t say just what was so offensive about it? If you knew someone was praying for you but they did it at home away from you and you did not even know what time they did it just that at some point of the day you got prayed for why does that bother you?

@ragingloli Atheist are always trying to put on people of faith Christians mostly that they are condescending and worse, are atheist any better using phrases like ”pathetic”, or less arrogant believing that every prayer containing them is to convert them as if Christians are the Star Trek Borg saying ”Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated!”

Maybe, just maybe if someone is praying for you they are praying that you be safe in your homes and on the road way, that you be blessed of the work of your hands, etc, and has NOTHING to do with your conversion or the invasion of your psyche as so many atheist seem to so afraid of.

@everephebe In preschool, the girl I had a crush on died because her parents refused to let her get medical help, and instead insisted on prayer. Because one person you know of used prayer in a way that may have caused or quicken a death that could be avoided ALL prayer is bad? With that logic since Cho Seung-Hui, Eric Harris, Dylan Klebold, and James Huberty decided to abuse the use of firearms we should take all firearms from everyone less no one can cause a massacre again.

he’s a small man and can have his small ways Is that suppose to an equalizer to people who might have called you evil for being an atheist? We can 1st start off by leaving arrogance and condescending attitudes at the door. You have not heard me insult any atheist. I am sure if I wanted to go to the gutter I could think up some whoppers.

…god’s worshipers, fucked me over pretty good. Not that it is in the scope of the question I an not so arrogant as to say Christian never make mistakes, not everyone who comes in His name is genuine or right, Jim Jones surely wasn’t, but then sometimes the human get in the way of the Devine. I apologize for those who didn’t make full use of the gospel they were given and use it as more of a weapon than a help. It wasn’t the prayer that cause you injury it was those in charge of it. Believe it or not, they are not one in the same.

@Scooby Besides they wouldn’t really be praying for me, more like scoring a point for themselves :-/ Lol……. How dare they use me like that………. How would you know that was the intention of every Christian? That would be rather arrogant, to think that maybe they are parying for you because you are a human just like the rest of us Christians, and as much as we would not wish bad on mankind, we would not just single you out as only needing prayer to try to scam points off God, as you say.

@all You are annoyed, insulted, uncomfortable, why? What specific reason, because some how you take it personally, it makes you queasy, gives you a headache, what?

Actually reading what we say is good. Putting words in our mouths is not.^

Uncomfortable and annoyed because ..I believe prayer belongs in the home and/or church (unless you are at a relgious event or a graveyard). I don’t appreciate when someone takes it upon themselves to publicly display some relgious ritual or act (especially for my supposed benefit).
It would be like me stalking the grocery store, waving tofu in the air, and singing to meat purchasers how great vegetarianism is. It’s too righteous and intrusive.

As for praying for me, without me knowing ..go ahead, whatever helps them sleep at night. I can’t be uncomfortable or annoyed if I am unaware of it.

Nope, I just laugh/worry at their lack of critical thinking skills.

If i knew about it I would tell them not to bother on my behalf as it does nothing for me. If they continued to pray I wouldn’t care. If they don’t say then i don’t care.

I know my sister and my mum prayed for me. I know they did it because they cared for me. Given the choice I’d rather they did something more constructive for me like chatting to me on the phone or making me a cup of tea but they get to chose their path and I get to chose mine. I don’t have to be grateful for their prayers but I am grateful for the freedom we have to pray or not to pray.

No, I appreciate it. It’s a thoughtful gesture.
I do think that it is useless, but it’s an act of kindness… so that is something that I appreciate.
Having said that, if the person is praying for me because I’m an atheist, then it is a completely different story. That offends me.

@Blackberry worry at their lack of critical thinking skills. So that I get you correct you are saying that people of faith any have less ability to think rational or logical than non-religious people? Exactly who are you saying can’t think critically and are you basing that solely because they have a faith? Would not want to be accuse of putting words in your mouth you didn’t actually say.

Not nearly as annoyed as religious people do when you tell them you’ll make incantations to the devil on their behalf ;)

@Hypocrisy_Central Speaking for myself only, yes I feel that people with strong religious faith have less critical thinking skills (and/or higher levels of credulity), but only in matters of determining whether or not to believe in super-beings for which there is not a shred of evidence. In all other areas of life, I would assume that they have the same range of thinking abilities as the general population.

No they don’t get offended in my knowledge as my boyfriend is an atheist too and I pray for him every time. He knows that but has never complained about it. He in fact respects my feelings.

No more offended than if they try to summon up the Great Ktulu so that he can banish me to a magical oblivion.

Lol story of my life!
Being in a strict christian school for 2 years… I was prayed for from the first day I got in. They obviously don’t know what I believe in but even if they did they would pray still.
I didn’t get offended… But It didn’t do me any good. lol

If someone wants to pray for me because they think I am a helpless lost cause who needs to be “fixed”, then I think it’s funny. If they want to pray for me because I am going through a rough time and that’s one way for them to show me support, then I think it’s sweet. Regarding the latter, a friend of mine has prayed for me, in front of me, a few times and I thought it was genuinely thoughtful, especially knowing what a big and positive part of her life God was and how deeply she believed in Him. She knew I was an Atheist and knew she didn’t have to “waste” her prayer on me, but the fact that she used something she believed in so deeply because she loved and cared about me, hence, in her eyes, for my benefit, is what stuck out to me and is all that really mattered and I could never find something like that ‘pathetic’. Sometimes people need to realize why someone prays for other people, rather than writing it off as stupid.

It doesn’t bother me.

@Vunessuh Hello and greetings, in case no one has said, glad to have you here. Roger that 10,000 times. I would go so far as to say some people did to get over themselves and stop thinking it is all about them. Trying to fight perceived arrogance with arrogance dose not make anything better on any side.

Daniel Dennett wrote a great article about this following his health scare back in 2006.

Great link @tom_g I read that article by Dennett when it first came out. Great to be reintroduced to it again.

To answer the question, I don’t think I would get offended…it’s a concept I try my best to avoid.

My response would depend on who was praying and what their relationship is to me, what they were praying for (lightning strike comes to mind), and what I think their likely motivation is.

If a stranger wants to pray for my salvation, I am not bothered by the act so much as bothered by being reminded once again of all the layers of unsubstantiated nonsense that underlies the act and the worldview, and associated problems that such nonsense propagates.

If a religious friend wants to pray that a sickness is healed, then besides the little voice that goes “nonsense” a larger voice says “Thanks for thinking of me”...perhaps we can discuss the nonsense when I feel better.

@AdamF: “If a religious friend wants to pray that a sickness is healed, then besides the little voice that goes “nonsense” a larger voice says “Thanks for thinking of me”...perhaps we can discuss the nonsense when I feel better”

I have the same reaction.
I would be interested to hear from a theist who has had someone of a different religion pray for them.

No not at all. Far be it for me to tread on someones core beliefs. There is the old man who is a close friend of my old boss and both are deeply steeped in the Christian ways. He pops in here regularly and asks me how I am doing and then proceeds to conduct a mini prayer session.

Way not my style but I allow him that moment to share his beliefs. It is not a one way street either as we have discussed my spiritual beliefs. To each their own I say.

Doesn’t bother me in the least. Don’t try to get me to participate though. If you grab my hands and say “in Jesus name!” I’ll ruin your little moment with an uncontrollable fit of laughter.

@everephebe Is there any way I convince you to stop using that annoying font? It’s hard to read.

I remind myself it is the person’s way of offering comfort, and they believe it will help. I guess they feel like they are doing something when they can do nothing. It is not so much I feel offended, but it is very uncomfortable when someone says it, because it is language I simply am not accustomed to and don’t use. It is uncomfortable for me to be around people who use, “have a blessed day,” when they say good bye, or in a serious manner thank God for an accomplishment. It is just bazaar to me to work in religious speak into every second of every day.

I really don’t mind since some people are genuinely concerned about other people’s well being and that is the ONLY way they know how to help. Someone who is dirt poor and no money to help a friend in need would turn to prayer. There are also millions of people out there who lack the money to pay for medical treatment so all they can do is pray for each other.

On the other hand, I have a friend who is Jewish and she despises when members of other religions say they will pray for her. Naturally she assumes they meant pray for her to become a Christian.

@mazingerz88 Are you sure about that? The Jewish person assumes the Christians want her to become Christian? What if someone is praying for her in a difficult time, like sickness or loss? I have never had a Christian say to me they will pray for me to save my soul. They only say it when I am troubled to be comforting.

@JLeslie Oh yes. When some people knock on her door and read her verses from the Bible especially ones that talk about their religion as being the true religion, she will then say “No, thank you.” In saying their goodbyes, they then add they will pray for her.

This friend of mine was a teenager when America was not paying enough attention to Hitler going after the Jews in Germany. It is seared in her brain.

@mazingerz88 Oh, in that situation, people knocking at her door with the purpose of converting her, I would agree. When I read the original question I was not thinking conversion at all. I would have thought a question about conversion and prayer would specifically state that. But, I just read through the answers on here again, and see a few people assumed the same as you.

Maybe @Hypocrisy_Central can clarify.

@JLeslie I think it would be one of the main reasons why someone would mind being prayed for. Other than that, then it would be generally genuine well wishing so I don’t think it matters much.

@mazingerz88 Well, for atheists, I think it is simply at minimum very uncomfortable to hear any religious talk directed at them or not. It is not really about the well wisher, although above I did say I try to remind myself that for them it is just well wishing, the question is about how it makes me feel. You are saying the intention should give the Christian permission to do it. Maybe you can understand why a Jewish person is offended by someone trying to convert them, but cannot understand why an atheist would be offended that a Christian will keep them in their prayers during a difficult time? Because you are only looking at the intention of the person praying. I am not assuming anything about you personally.

@mazingerz88 Plus, I was assuming there is a good statistical chance your Jewsih friend is an atheist. But, I can’t be sure of that either.

Nope, not at all. I think it’s nice, but I also of course feel bad that they’re wasting their time. :)

Dear @FutureMemory,

Yes there is a way… How much money do you have? :P I do realize that a serif font is slightly harder to read than a san-serif. I personally courier new because it keeps me honest. It stops you from being able to easily add all the other tricks:

bold italics whispers crossed outs and links

I like that it does stop me or at least it slows me down, as I tend to go overboard on them otherwise.

P.S. PM me things like that instead please. Cheers.

Offended?

No.

Bemused would be the most apposite word.

@Hypocrisy_Central Meiosis took the words out of my mouth. Only when determining belief in the supernatural.

I agree with @Vunessuh (as I often do).

I’m not offended. But, I’d rather they spent the time helping me do what needs to be done.

I can understand how it would come across as condescending for a person when someone of faith announces that they are going to pray for them. I am probably considered a person of faith although I don’t follow a religion as such, I just believe in a higher power. I do pray and every so often other people will be in my prayers (usually if they are ill or having a difficult time). Although it is meant well I certainly don’t announce to anyone that I am doing it. Prayer is private to me and to announce that you are praying for someone when you don’t agree with their actions is self righteous to say the least. I don’t like that.

However, if someone is seriously ill (or has a seriously ill family member) I have often heard my grandmother say “you are in my prayers”. It’s no different to her than saying “you are in my thoughts” and she means nothing but well wishes to those people. I see nothing wrong with that at all. She isn’t pushing her faith on anyone she’s just letting them know that she is thinking about them.

I’m to late to edit my previous answer but I think @ANef_is_Enuf summed up my thoughts perfectly.

It depends who it comes from. Most of the time I just see it as them saying they care about me and hope things get better. Sometimes it can get really annoying though if its someone you really know. Its like how about you actually help me instead of just praying. Bit of a cop out.

This atheist doesn’t. I see it as an expression of care, and I am not opposed to that. The religious content doesn’t really matter. It is the fact that they care than is important.

Agree with @wundayatta 100%.

Actually, it would bother me if someone said they were praying for a homosexual to become straight or something. Though “offend” probably isn’t the operate word. It would probably provoke me to whip out the Bible verses, though.

@Qingu Hahaha, whip out the bible verses. Somehow that does not surprise me.

My answer to this question is a question:

Why would the person praying tell the atheist he/she is praying for them?

@SpatzieLover This happens all of the time. Down here in the bible belt it just comes out of their mouth. Let’s say I have a surgery coming up, a friend might say they will keep me in their prayers, or pray for me, or light a candle, whatever deal it is that they do. Even friends who do not live outside of the bible belt do it, but here everyone says it, even if they barely know you. They don’t know you are an atheist necessarily. Or, they say it out of habit, even if they do know. Or, they don’t see it as offensive or odd to say it, even if you are an athiest, because they are not atheists, and praying is there way of helping you; they believe it helps.

I understand people do it @JLeslie my husband’s family does this in an annoying way What I mean is what is their motivation for telling people they’ll pray for them.

In the case of my husband’s family, it appears to me that they do so to get gratitude. Some appear to do it to shrug their personal responsibility i haven’t called or help but I’ve been praying for you.

I’ll be damned if he did not just pop in, take my hand and pray for me! And it didn’t hurt one bit!

@SpatzieLover Oh, I see now what you are getting at. I had not even thought some of the reasons you have given. I hope some people who do it, answer your question. My assumptions could be totally wrong.

@JLeslie When I read the original question I was not thinking conversion at all. You want to know why? Because conversion was NEVER a part of the question. Many people (smarter people if one alludes another thread was correct) somehow inject those things in there. Why? Who knows? I would hate to think I have to dumb the question down to keep them on point, but it was someone else who injected that silliness in the question.

Many times a person maybe prayed over just for general health and well-being. When Katrina hit I didn’t pray ”God, bless those poor souls who lost their homes and livelihood, if they don’t become Christians after this, HIT ‘EM AGAIN!” Critical thinkers……wow….wow….. Just because someone show in the area with a Bible it is not the same as a shark fin in the pool, and I really have to tell critical thinkers that?

@uberbatman Its like how about you actually help me instead of just praying. Help me, help me, help me, it is like a repeating theme. Like what, give you money, do you laundry? If people are going to blast Christians for not doing enough physically I expect them to be doing a little more themselves. I have seen Christians give up a weekend to dish food in the soup kitchen, I have seen them out passing out blankets to the homeless, not that non-believers don’t, I just seen far more Christians do. I have seen more non-believer, (I am sure their had to be quite a spackling of atheist in there) who will say “oh, those poor people need help, we need to feed the hungry” but they are not going into the ghetto, or skid row to do anything. Shall we blanket all atheist as uncompassionate or worse the same way Christians get lumped in one ball of clay because some atheist met one they didn’t like?

@SpatzieLover Why would the person praying tell the atheist he/she is praying for them? Here is a concept, to let them know they were thought about the same as you would wish them a good trip as they drive out the driveway. You can wish them a good trip with out telling them, you can wish them a favorable outcome in the job interview and not tell them that either. Christians have the same human attitudes and emotions everyone else has, we are not foreigners or apes of some different species. The reason why you would do many things is the same reason why Christians would. We put on coats because it is cold or windy no religious activity behind it whatsoever. You tell them to let them know you are thinking of them, because you know them or because they are human too.

Some appear to do it to shrug their personal responsibility And some atheist don’t? I don’t know what the situation you are speaking of and why are they responsible to you and you have none to give back in return?

@Hypocrisy_Central Well, I am glad I am one of the smarter critical thinkers. Lol. I think you were a little harsh. The people who thought you might be talking about conversion just misinterpreted your question based on their experience.

I am a Christian. I do not tell anyone I am “praying for them”. My prayers are my private business. I do not see why someone else needs to know what I am praying for. I will simply say “drive safely” or “my thoughts are with you & your family at this time”.

@SpatzieLover I will simply say “drive safely” or “my thoughts are with you & your family at this time”. Why even tell them that? You can hope they have a safe trip or their family are safe and not even tell them to let them know. Logically it is the same thing if we are speaking of doing something tangible for the person getting the well wishes or prayer. One could get the ideal iff they got the context wrong you saying to them “Drive safely” that they were sloppy or bad drivers that needed admonishing.

IMO, prayer functions to comfort/appease the one who prays. If it makes them feel good to do it, then whatever. I know it’s pointless and will have no effect in my reality.

@Hypocrisy_Central It is not the same. @SpatzieLover delivers a neutral well wishing and kind thoughts. Less likely to make someone uncomfortable. If it is all the same then why don’t Christians use the neutral? And, be more aware that not everyone is a Christian theist?

I’ll take whatever positive vibes someone wants to give. Positive energy is positive energy, the source and methodology of delivery matters not.

@everephebe If I PM’d that instead of posting it, the other people that agree with me wouldn’t have had the opportunity to easily express their agreement.

I’m a hero to the people, see…

I agree with the people that say it depends on who is praying ..and what the prayer is about.

If someone were to tell me “My prayers are with you” ..I would not be uncomfortable or annoyed. I’d take it as respectful gesture.
Whereas, if they start breaking out in prayer, in front of me, I’d be uncomfortable. As uncomfortable as someone who breaks out in chanting in front of me.
My annoyance would come from people who start quoting out prayers from the bible (or other religious text) to for me.

As for who is praying. It makes a difference for me. I’m going to be less uncomfortable with someone I know as opposed to someone I don’t know (or barely know). Most people that I know, do not outright pray for me (if they do, it’s in private). I’m completely fine with that.

People brought up intent as well. If your intentions are to offer kind words and compassion to me, then go ahead. It’s awkward for me, but I respect the intentions. However, in my experience, the ones that usually pray for me are doing it more for themselves. That’s fine, but I find it to be too dishonest and self-serving.

Then, there’s the type of prayer. If it’s a simple “God bless and watch over you” ..I’m fine with that. I thank them for their compassion. But, if it’s a prayer trying to save me from my sins ..then I take issue with that because that is too righteous for me. Conversion prayers, of course, are an annoyance to me as well – it’s intrusive. If it’s a chanting, repetitive and long prayer that the person is vocalizing for me, like I’m not even there, I find that annoying and rude.

@Hypocrisy_Central I think the issue is that you were not clear on what type of prayer. People have many different experiences with different types of prayer. And, there are plenty of types of prayer. If you just use the term “prayer”, it opens the meaning of the question up to several different assumptions.

Would the people who agree with @FutureMemory actually PM me about it, I pay more attention to words than numbers. Maths isn’t my strong subject. (#grrr)

I went through a hypnotherapy program once with an amazing guy!
He was a Catholic based ( not why I picked him ) neurolinguistic programmer with a medical hypnosis degree amongst many other esoteric practices.

He was very open to all metaphysical pursuits, very well rounded, INCREDIBLE man!

True open mindedness discounts nothing and knows there are many good works, and many paths.

There is much truth to the power of prayer, and it has less to do with a supreme being than it does with lining up with universal law.

Many, many, experiments have shown some unexplainable and miraculous outcomes.

I remain open to all possibility.

@tinyfaery IMO, prayer functions to comfort/appease the one who prays.—Hope it dose not come off as offensive but not actively being a person of faith you would not be able to really grasp all the reason why a person would use prayer; but you are off the mark on that one.—

@JLeslie Less likely to make someone uncomfortable. That makes is sound like prayer to an atheist is like holy water was to that demon in The Exorist (and NO, I am not calling you or anyone a demon less critical thinkers fall to that). That merely saying plain tap water was holy water would burn the skin when splashed on. To want to reject concern though or caring simply because the name of God or it being somehow connected to God to me is rather sad, like not taking money because you are a GOP and money came from a Democratic source.

I could be neutral but why do I have to? My faith says to respect you as I would myself and I would not short change myself on any blessing or good so why would I for you? Is it really all that different if I say @JLeslie “Drive home safe, I pray your safe arrival” than just “Drive home safe” as if I said so because I felt I should to be polite?

@PluckyDog I think the issue is that you were not clear on what type of prayer. People have many different experiences with different types of prayer. And, there are plenty of types of prayer. If you just use the term “prayer”, it opens the meaning of the question up to several different assumptions. Atheist have to think about words and assumptions used also. Terms like small thinking__, _Make believe, unreal_, mysticism, useless, etc. have very little wiggle room on being caustically said or their intent. Prayer is just that, it is the person hearing it that want to inject what they think is behind the prayer, especially when there was no context to blatantly say ”Pray for their salvation”, though some may include that, there is a lot of prayer to just wish you peace and well. I wish people peace and well even thought they insult my faith and my very intelligence for following it. My faith tells me to respect them as I would myself for in dong so I honor and respect Him. So even while someone is equating me to some 5 year old running about believing in the Easter bunny and unicorns I can still wish and pray them peace and wellbeing. If people take offence to that because I do so, and I might not pray for them at all but cuss them out if God was not in the picture then I can not say anything but I pray they can see it causes them no actual harm and certainly no good if they do not believe, so they can just go about the day as they would have.

I’ll be speaking for myself as an a atheist. No, I don’t get offended. In fact I feel all warm and fuzzy when someone says they’ll pray for me. Maybe I don’t believe in God, or that praying does anything. But from a true believer, they believe it does something, and you can see the intent behind the empathy they have for you. It’s sweet.

What offends me about people saying they’ll pray for me, is those that say this to spite and mock you; usually found in heated religious debates and discussions.

To me, it’s just not worth getting offended over.

If this person is in a situation to pray for me they either a) think I’m a pagan asshole or b) care for me. If it’s a), I honestly don’t really care what they do, and if it’s b) I’m usually just flattered that they care.

No not that much

@Hypocrisy_Central You misunderstand. It only really bothers me coming from a friend. I dont want a friend to just say they’re going to pray for me. Help me out with my problem thats what fucking matters in the end. Id do the same for them, thats what being a friend is about. Im not saying support my every need, but if I need some help with something I’d rather that then some useless words.

@Hypocrisy_Central If you are concerned for me, then respect my beliefs or lack there of also. If I am the center of your attention at that moment, why do you still think about yourself and how you want to be treated, rather than think about how I want to be treated? I don’t really fault you, because if I reverse it, I probably am not going to say to you I will pray for, because I simply don’t pray, and it feels odd for me to use that vocabulary. If I said to you, “I have you in my thoughts, please let me know if I can help in any way,” for you is prayer missing? is there an obvious absence of the word?

@everephebe and I have resolved our differences via PM. Sorry to foul up your thread, Hypo_

@JLeslie If I am the center of your attention at that moment, why do you still think about yourself and how you want to be treated, rather than think about how I want to be treated? Who says I would not? If we met at a Fluther convention and before parting on our way back and I say “Bye, have a safe trip I pray your safe passage home.” I am respecting you at the same time not disrespecting myself. If I were to stand before you and make one of the outwardly showy payers then I can say I would be less respecting you than not. But if I say at some point after we leave each other’s company that I will pray for your safety can’t see why anyone would be upset anyone cared for their safety when I am alone by myself, I was able to be true to my faith with out openly smacking down your personal belief. If I were at your dinner table and you would be offended of me blessing my food I would do it before I sat down where you were not privy to see. Even if you were helping someone secular or of faith would you not think of yourself as well and allow someone to treat you disrespectfully simply because you were helping or focused on another?

@Hypocrisy_Central I said I don’t really fault you, and defended your position, stated both sides. Living in the bible belt for a while now, I am used to it. Used to the prayers, and the “have a blessed day,” and the, “as long as a person believes,” and the, “what church do you go to?” I just let it all roll off my back. The truth is, as much religious language is used where I live, there is almost never much discussion about religion, which I find interesting.

Like @ANef_is_Enuf said, it depends on why they’re praying for me. But typically, my attitude is this.

@SavoirFaire Hahahaahah!

@Hypocrisy_Central

Who said every Christian?? :-/
I thought you were just talking about one individual…. “How would you know that was the intention of every Christian?”…….. Arrogant indeed, Pah!! Now who’s getting conceited??
Yeah, I did mention that…….. “as is usually the case with religious types”...
As for scoring points, what are you doing on fluther?? Addictive, isn’t it………:-/ scoring points that is……….
Lets just leave it there shall we.

@Scooby As for scoring points, what are you doing on fluther?? I am on Fluther for many reasons, to test out and see if theories and hypothesis I have are correct, because Fluther is like a focus group you can tap for free, to maybe bring some challenging questions to those open to listen that might push the limits of what they always thought and how. Why are you here? Scoring points have nothing to do with it”. I find it sad to have to hang with this thread to clear up some glaring inaccuracies. When you say ”they” to me it is more than one. Also when coupled with .. as is usually the case with religious types, since you didn’t name which religion I have to assume you are including me. Incase you have powers of clairvoyance you do not know how I pray or for who, much less being conceited. Of course, I could say things that I believe about the dispensation of your afterlife, but I don’t because only God really knows that. more like scoring a point for themselves :-/ Lol……. How dare they use me like that………. One can say ”How dare you use those poor kids at Christmas like that, you only put that teddy bear in the barrel at the fire station to get a tax write off.” Guess you can use that on everyone who ever gave to the poor. The ironic part is many of faith who give to the poor because God told us to, not because the government said you would get a tax write off.

@Hypocrisy_Central

This is why I don’t follow religion, too many preachers, too many boring speeches! Always ends in a rant…. “They” meaning in general, not all. most individuals when indoctrinated to a certain way of thinking can still act on their own…. Having met many Christians over the years & reading what you have to say in general you all sound the same to me… pray for eachother, have an orgy, knock yourself out.. I really don’t care… You asked a question. I answered it. :-/
Teddy bears in the barrel :-/
whatever floats your boat….......

I get offended when fellow believers proclaim that they are praying for atheists. If they really want to they can keep this to themselves.

That means they want the other to know they do something for them.
If you pray and do not tell another you do that for them at a point [ if you are a believer ] they can point out you could have at least prayed. [ most say this when things are bad and they want to blame others around. I’m sure you’ve seen this at least several times. ]

We should get permission before offering advice, and if others like to hear it, we should share it, knowing that there’s no obligation to take it.

Praying for others basically works the same way.

When a non believer gets into a deep trouble it’s less likely to ask for prayers to anyone since his habit is not to pray or have prayers around him.
And if praying sounds and is offensive for one then asking for permission is close enough to get the same response.
It’s not like one’s gonna get hurt from a prayer.

But instead of telling him, I’m gonna pray for you, you could say something like, I really care about you. And pray later on.

@Hibernate But is it going to hurt the religious person not to say, “I will pray for you?”

@Hibernate – @JLeslie and @mattbrowne make a good point. If your intention is to merely let the person know that you care about them and you will be thinking of them, why say something that will at the very least alienate them.

“Take care John. I hope you feel better. I will be washing myself in olive oil and singing traditional irish folk songs backwards for you.”