Thoughts and not prayers.

[tackattack]

Gae, I already clearly stated that it doesn't excuse inaction, which you seem to be hung up on. I think a lot of the "thoughts and prayers" are just an instinctive reaction to show the same empathy and sympathy that is being derided, and that many Christians are cited for not having by members of this forum.

As to your feeding on emotional carrion comments, no reaching out in sympathy/empathy is good for the believe and the object of the prayer. Thoughts and prayers-ing IS self satisfactory, which IS self evident, and a method of reaching out thus IS NOT necessarily self-serving. I'm not saying Christians can't be self-seving at times, but I clearly cited research for bringing positivity to a situation and an instance of corporate prayer helping an individual more than the secular alternative would have done.

Gawdzilla, If someone wanted to say a Hindi prayer, a catholic prayer, a wiccan spell or massage my chakras; I would be just as grateful they cared enough to empathize even if I don't believe in their methods. All I'm trying to see is why the same isn't true for atheists.

---

Praying for someone isn’t about convincing a puppet master to pull some strings or make a c note magically appear in your wallet. It is a Christians way of guiding someone lost into a relationship with our God.

So in other words, praying and offering someone your prayers is all about taking advantage of the fact that someone is suffering and under stress to attempt to convert them?  Thanks for clearing that up for me, tack.  Way to go, Christians!

"Here.  I can't actually do anything for you, but let me take advantage of your vulnerability for my own benefit."

Here, I can do something for you that you may not see or believe, I have this guy I know called God and He loves you. If you needed a place to stay and some food, I can help. You might need some medical assistance I can't really provide, but if I can take a moment of your time, I'd like to show you that God loves you and so do I and hear about your situation.

It's not taking advantage, it's being open and empathetic and trying to help someone. If you're a believer and so down you can't see God, it'll help. If you're a non-believer and you just want to share, it'll help, If you're not a believer and hate Christians/Religion I can see where it would be fuel to the fire of your hate and not productive, but how is a bystander to know where you lay philosophically?

A simple, I'm praying for you, retorted with please don't pray I find it condescending/grandizing/self-seeking, would be sufficient. If that's all that people are saying then I'm cool with that. That's why on this forum where we have profiles and rules, I have no problem not saying it "out loud".