When I first started this blog I was determined that I wouldn't talk politics or religion. I'm about to cut that determination to the quick. Mostly because it just pisses me off!
I'll pray for you....
I read in another blog (http://whattotelltheneighbors.blogspot.com) a statement that pretty much sums up how I feel - "When people go out to their way to say , "I'm praying for you," to an atheist, do they realize it sounds pretty much like "F*** you," only with more syllables?"
There have been more than a few studies, some of them with an effort towards double blind, that have all been mostly inconclusive. Inconclusive because depending on who you talk to they either prove it works or prove it doesn't work. It's either "God knows he's being tested" or "He works in mysterious ways" or the best one "He must need them in Heaven"! To me it just proves it's all wishing on a star.
I find it neither a happy event nor a proof of prayer working that God has provided you with anything that you have asked for. Why on earth would he provide you with a new job, a car, more money, happiness, food, etc., if he can't even alleviate the suffering of so much of the world. This only shows me that prayer is a selfish device. Two reasons. The obvious, you're praying for yourself. The other not so obvious. Even if you are praying for the poor starving children in Africa or that cute little boy that has cancer the only thing it's doing is making YOU feel better. In actuality you are doing the same as nothing.
If you really want to help the poor starving children in Africa, then find an organization that is actually DOING something and donate. Better yet, go there yourself and donate your time. If you really want to help the cute little boy that has cancer, then donate to cancer research or donate your time to a children's hospital or offer to help the family. Prayer, no matter how many people are doing it, has not curbed hunger or cured cancer or righted any of the myriad of other wrongs in the world that God has so graciously given you a "blessed" corner in.
You nailed it Doris. If someone introduces him or herself as a Christian, reach for your wallet and private parts cause they are coming after both.
ReplyDeleteChristianity is a great religion, the best on the planet. Can't say much for most Christians though. They are the most hypocritical beings on the planet.
And of course, their explanation for every catastrophe is "It's God's will" or other such tripe.
You go girl.
Well said, Doris, well said.
ReplyDeleteI personally have had many prayers answered during my lifetime.
ReplyDeleteI am a Christian and I beleive in God.
Yes, there are things we can do ourselves, but a lot of times after praying about it, we are guided as to the right direction to take.
Yep and your brains and life lessons have nothing to do with which direction you are led.
DeleteI'll be praying for you and your family.....
ReplyDeleteHmmmm....see paragraph 2.
DeleteSo..are you saying that you are an atheist?
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying F**k You..I am truly saying that I will pray for you.
Your blog indicates that you are not a Christian and do not believe in prayer.
Yes I am an Atheist and I do not believe in prayer other than it making the person praying feel better. If you read that paragraph that's what "praying for you" sounds like to an Atheist. You are welcome to pray for whoever you like but just keep in mind how an Atheist feels about it when you tell them you will pray for them.
Deleteseems to me you live on a one way street your way and every one else should be primarily concerned with me, those people that say they will pray for you think that you are telling them f/';, you!! if you do not reciprcate.
ReplyDeletei agree with your view on prayer but you ARE WAY TOO SENSITIVE why would you bother being ofended by such folk
Once I tell someone I'm an Atheist and then they say "I'll pray for you" then that is when it sounds like they are saying "f**k you". I'm not sensitive just annoyed. The most annoying part for me is christians assuming that everyone believes/thinks the way that they do. Once that assumption is gone then none of us will have to worry/be annoyed by it.
DeleteEveryone is entitled to their own beliefs/non-beliefs. Christians claim tolerance and then have none, I see it everyday. Agnostics get the same reaction.
ReplyDeleteAt one point in my life, I refused to go to church, even though I did consider myself a Christian. The day my little brother told me he had asked his whole church to pray for me to join the church, I could have cheerfully killed him! So, I get it. I really do. Christians can be just as insensitive as anyone. But, please don't paint us all with the same black brush. And, keep in mind, that one insensitive statement doesn't make anyone evil, or uncaring, or even a hypocrite. I bet you've said the wrong thing to someone a time or two, and were sorry for it later. You've probably even hurt someone's feelings, and never even realized it.
ReplyDeleteAnd, for your own peace of mind, believe this...Christians who care about you, will pray for you. Whether they tell you or not. It's just what we do.
Having someone pray for me whether I know it or not truly does not annoy me. And if someone says I'll be praying for you NOT knowing I'm an Atheist, I just say thank you and go on. But when they KNOW I am an Atheist and then say "I'll pray for you" that sounds the same to me as "F**k you". And I've been told many times that someone will pray for me so that I will see the light. Fine if it makes them feel better, but one more reason I can point to that prayer does not work.
DeleteAnd I try not to paint all Christians with the same brush, but it's hard to do when they all believe that the words of men from 2000 years ago are applicable in any way or that the God portrayed in their bible is anything close to benevolent.