(November 18, 2012 at 1:27 pm)Stimbo Wrote: If I were to say to someone "I pity you", I would be, and have been, considered condescending at best. But when someone says "I'll pray for you", in the sense that is intended here, that of addressing some perceived pitiable character flaw making that person inferior in some way, we're expected to be grateful.
I dont think pity is condescending and I certainly dont think praying for someone is insulting.
Theres a TON of scripture which makes me feel bad that I dont pray ENOUGH for people in the way TNmusicman has.
Look at it from my/our POV.
God exists.
God wants everyone to be saved.
Suppose Lion IRC couldnt care less about what God wants and never gave the matter any thought? (Lifes too short to waste it praying for others or meditating - aka praying - about their spiritual happiness.)
Then what? How is God going to judge me and my laziness?
Praying for someone you think is sick is seen by Christians as an honor and a duty. (See James 5:16)
Such a hostile reaction from an atheist - who supposedly thinks prayer/God is just meaningless superstition - strikes me as odd.
