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BUT this is not a discussion of whether prayer works or not, it is about those get hostile toward those that offer prayer, is there a need to get that way? I say no, just let it go in that case would be the high road.
If your brother was drowning and instead of throwing him a rope or calling 911, people just stood on shore thinking and praying about it, would you not feel A LITTLE hostile toward them?
You're wasting your breath. They would just as soon hear, "Worst wishes." It means nothing to them. The only thing that would make them feel better is if you said, "I pay my taxes to help folks like you."
If your brother was drowning and instead of throwing him a rope or calling 911, people just stood on shore thinking and praying about it, would you not feel A LITTLE hostile toward them?
"I'll pray for you" is code for "I won't do anything meaningful to help." It's right up there with "Just let me know if I can do anything to help" while offering no concrete suggestions and with no intention to actually follow through.
See how angry people get? As though any of us are in a position to do anything about the fires in California or a number of other things out of our control.
When I lost my wife, prayer and faith were the only things that got me through it. I always appreciated people who said they were praying for me/us. Of course they were doing other things to help, but also praying.
People do what they can do AND offer prayers. When they can't do anything and can only offer prayers they'll do that, and if you don't believe then the classy thing to do is to say thank you and move on.
But I get that faux offense /outrage and confrontation are in right now.
I think you're misconstruing personal thoughts for actions. If I have a tragedy and someone offers me empty thoughts and prayers, I say thank you and move on. What I necessarily think, and what proper manners and respect are, even for people I disagree with are sometimes not aligned. Civility always wins out.
I would never be so crass as to scoff at someone's attempt at sympathy, regardless how hollow, and anyone who actually does outside of a discussion like this is basically a butthole.
I think you're misconstruing personal thoughts for actions. If I have a tragedy and someone offers me empty thoughts and prayers, I say thank you and move on. What I necessarily think, and what proper manners and respect are, even for people I disagree with are sometimes not aligned. Civility always wins out.
I would never be so crass as to scoff at someone's attempt at sympathy, regardless how hollow, and anyone who actually does outside of a discussion like this is basically a butthole.
Mike, I don't know if you're directing this to me or not since you didn't quote anyone. Let me know and if it's me, I'll respond.
Mike, I don't know if you're directing this to me or not since you didn't quote anyone. Let me know and if it's me, I'll respond.
I was, but hey, it's a free-for all discussion. I think it all boils down to sincerity. If someone genuinely cares, it doesn't matter what they say, it's always appreciated. When someone is saying something (anything) just so that they can be seen to be "doing something" it always rings hollow. Lately that something has been hopes and prayers.
It's because some atheists / agnostics are as in-your-face obnoxious as preachy religious fanatics are.
No, it's because there are people who actually want to help people and then they are people who simply want to give the appearance they are by praying for them.
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