(September 29, 2016 at 1:34 am)Thumpalumpacus Wrote:

(September 29, 2016 at 12:26 am)Emjay Wrote: Sometimes it sucks not being able to pray. So I just want to say my heart goes out to all my friends who are suffering. You're always in my thoughts and I wish I could take it all on board and suffer it for you or with you. It's hell seeing so much suffering and being powerless to help. Love you guys *hugs*

I'll take empathy over prayers any day, myself.

Absolutely. I've never prayed to any gods.

And sometimes the most empathetic thing we can do is absolutely nothing. Which has the same effect as a prayer.

Except, those who know they are being prayed for often feel worse because of it... so prayer is merely comforting oneself. It certainly doesn't comfort others. And wishing for the best can have the same effect, achieve self-comfort, without any of this hurtful pressurey "I'll pray for you" nonsense directed at the other.

Meh, I've never been bothered by someone telling me they'll pray for me. I know it's their way of saying they hope the best. And I appreciate even a little empathetic note over nothing at all. It's nice to know someone cares.

Your mileage seems to vary. It's all good, we each get on through the day our own way.

Nah it has never bothered me personally. It takes an awful, awful lot for me to be bothered. Condescension or being treated like a child bothers me the most, I think, far more than insults, but that's because of my past... I think.

There are just scientific studies, for example, that if a person is very ill and they're told they're being prayed for they're more likely to die because of the psychologically negative effect of feeling "Oh no I must be really ill if I'm being prayed for!".

The study was referenced in The God Delusion.

Hungry, sleepy, frozen feet-y.
And mildly optimistic.

(September 29, 2016 at 1:34 am)Cthulhu Dreaming Wrote:

(September 29, 2016 at 1:31 am)Thumpalumpacus Wrote: I get where you're at, I really do -- in my own way.

You know it's one of those things that I think only someone who has had similar experiences could understand fully.

I only really understand my own experiences, yeah -- and even that's sketchy.

At any rate, hope things turn upside for you.

I also hope things turn upside for Cannabis Doer

I'm feeling a little tired, but otherwise good.

<edited>

(September 29, 2016 at 3:53 am)Thena323 Wrote: Hungry, sleepy, frozen feet-y.
And mildly optimistic.

C'mere, girl, I'll rub those feet. Might even hunt up some leftover Mexican.

ETA: Food, that is. Mexican food.

/prophylactic edit

(September 29, 2016 at 3:40 am)Thumpalumpacus Wrote: Meh, I've never been bothered by someone telling me they'll pray for me. I know it's their way of saying they hope the best. And I appreciate even a little empathetic note over nothing at all. It's nice to know someone cares.

Your mileage seems to vary. It's all good, we each get on through the day our own way.

When somebody I know says they're praying for me I usually don't mind (unless that person is one of those who assumes automatic superiority because they have religion, and acts accordingly). But prayers of the faithful from the pulpit (hey father, here's an idea, dig your hand into the weekly tithe and do something meaningful for the unfortunates), or twitter/facebook/forum messages to people who are pretty much strangers really get my goat, because all too often they are pious mouthings by people too lazy to help, yet who still want the reputation and kudos gained from helping.