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Because the unspoken message is that you need to hear about my god.
I considered the message to be they were thinking of my mother i.e. they weren’t suggesting I pray nor were they telling me to attend church or believe in a god because they do. It was simply their way of dealing with the fact she was dying. That you or Northsouth would read into it as such (and then proceed to be offended by your own interpretation) is a result of an issue to control or dominate the narrative, from my perspective. I mean, why would I care they were praying? Would it be logical for me not to expect it, particularly among older friends of my mom - whether they knew I was an atheist or not?
I have no need/desire to cram my atheism down anyone’s throat anymore than I want religion crammed down mine. That said, there’s a huge distinction between someone mentioning it vs. the latter; a difference between being ‘offended’ (or offensive) vs. rationally discussing it as well. Not every opinion or conversation need result in a childish, angry battle; else atheism/religion is clearly not the problem.
I considered the message to be they were thinking of my mother i.e. they weren’t suggesting I pray nor were they telling me to attend church or believe in a god because they do. It was simply their way of dealing with the fact she was dying. That you or Northsouth would read into it as such (and then proceed to be offended by your own interpretation) is a result of an issue to control or dominate the narrative, from my perspective. I mean, why would I care they were praying? Would it be logical for me not to expect it, particularly among older friends of my mom - whether they knew I was an atheist or not?
I have no need/desire to cram my atheism down anyone’s throat anymore than I want religion crammed down mine. That said, there’s a huge distinction between someone mentioning it vs. the latter; a difference between being ‘offended’ (or offensive) vs. rationally discussing it as well. Not every opinion or conversation need result in a childish, angry battle; else atheism/religion is clearly not the problem.
You have hit the nail on the head about the "taking offense crowd." It seems to be a particular state of mind characterized by an instant readiness to be offended. That readiness bespeaks unconscious abreactions to cumulative frustrations or irritations in their past, IMO.
I have gotten that too. Most believers just assume others are as well. That's not a problem to me.
That's a different than someone saying "they'll pray for you" over something THEY think you need to work on. If the person saying it knows that person doesn't believe in God then they are invalidating someone when they are saying it. They are trying to place themselves as the center of someone elses universe. It's a form of saying "I know what you need." It's anti social.
I considered the message to be they were thinking of my mother i.e. they weren’t suggesting I pray nor were they telling me to attend church or believe in a god because they do. It was simply their way of dealing with the fact she was dying. That you or Northsouth would read into it as such (and then proceed to be offended by your own interpretation) is a result of an issue to control or dominate the narrative, from my perspective. I mean, why would I care they were praying? Would it be logical for me not to expect it, particularly among older friends of my mom - whether they knew I was an atheist or not?
I have no need/desire to cram my atheism down anyone’s throat anymore than I want religion crammed down mine. That said, there’s a huge distinction between someone mentioning it vs. the latter; a difference between being ‘offended’ (or offensive) vs. rationally discussing it as well. Not every opinion or conversation need result in a childish, angry battle; else atheism/religion is clearly not the problem.
Why am I required to feel the same way you do about the issue?
Then what possible reason would you have for intolerance of their use of prayer?
Because they're involving me in it.
I have said this before and I will this again: If christians (or any other religious group) wants to pray and practice their religion in their own homes, or in their own church (or temples, or synagoes, etc.), and even in some sort-of-public situation (for example a church have a church picnic in a park), they are welcome to do so. They just need to NOT involve me. What do you think would happen if I had gone to the methodist church just 2 blocks from my house this morning at 11 a.m. and in the middle of the service I started preaching Buddhism out loud to the methodist congregation?
(Other than on this site which is designed for discussion) keep your religion to yourself. I don't know a single person in my life today who isn't capable of seeking out a prayer group if they want to. The churches are all over the place with their electronic signs inviting people in. Fine. You can go to church via television. Fine. You can use various digital services. Fine. But leave me out of it. I shouldn't have to be involved in any way in a religious belief system that I think is immoral.
I have said this before and I will this again: If christians (or any other religious group) wants to pray and practice their religion in their own homes, or in their own church (or temples, or synagoes, etc.), and even in some sort-of-public situation (for example a church have a church picnic in a park), they are welcome to do so. They just need to NOT involve me. What do you think would happen if I had gone to the methodist church just 2 blocks from my house this morning at 11 a.m. and in the middle of the service I started preaching Buddhism out loud to the methodist congregation?
(Other than on this site which is designed for discussion) keep your religion to yourself. I don't know a single person in my life today who isn't capable of seeking out a prayer group if they want to. The churches are all over the place with their electronic signs inviting people in. Fine. You can go to church via television. Fine. You can use various digital services. Fine. But leave me out of it. I shouldn't have to be involved in any way in a religious belief system that I think is immoral.
That kind of obnoxious behavior is quite different from taking offense from their simply praying for you which is what Cowboy was talking about.
That kind of obnoxious behavior is quite different from taking offense from their simply praying for you which is what Cowboy was talking about.
I know what he's talking about. And I find it offensive.
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You have hit the nail on the head about the "taking offense crowd." It seems to be a particular state of mind characterized by an instant readiness to be offended. That readiness bespeaks unconscious abreactions to cumulative frustrations or irritations in their past, IMO.
