Those that get hostile toward those that offer prayer as a sort of condolences

[lionking]

Originally Posted by natalie469

This stems from all the gun violence in schools, work places, churches, theaters and wherever else. Many are demanding gun control which Republicans turn a blind eye to. Republicans don't even care about these 3 D guns being homemade. What are prayers going to do. No one wants prayers, they want action. And this is where the hostility comes from. No one has a chip on their shoulder though.

Except for the fact when someone posts "prayers with you" regarding fires or a airplane crash or whatever besides a shooting a fair amount still attack the person , attacking them with responses like " we don't need prayers for you make believe god" or such. So seems more about a chip on the shoulder against people who are religious not about a lazy response.

[lionking]

Originally Posted by Frostnip

"Best wishes" is literally a rote sign-off like "sincerely." It's about as deep as calling someone "Dear So-and-so" in the greeting - could be anyone from your beloved mother to an IRS agent for how much emotional meaning the phrase now carries. Is that the depth you, as a person of faith, want ascribed to prayers? That it's just a phrase you mouth or write because it's the pro forma, fill-in-the-blank response?

I do believe in the power of prayer, I do have faith, but this is in response to those that say it is a lazy response. It is a lazy response if you just say "prayers with you", it is not a lazy response if you actually take a moment to pray. Just saying "best wishes" or "prayers to you" without sincerity behind it is lazy. But the only perceived lazy response attacked usually is when it has a religious overtone so that means some are not offended by a lazy response but by a religious response.

[Eumaois]

If a person merely offers prays, it might not mean much. If a person offers prayers and does more (donate money or volunteer at a shelter where victims are at), then I think the criticism of offering prayer is not as valid.