Atheists and Prayer

[*Deidre*]

Why is prayer necessary at all?

Cause otherwise the supreme being will sent you to hell after you die The place where all the coolest people will go

It will be a party to end all parties.

[heathendegenerate]

Mind you, given that atheism is only lack of belief in a god, and not disbelief, I suppose one could pray to any possible god that might be around to hear. It seems pointless to me, but an agnostic atheist still has room in their mind for the possibility, so it's maybe not that crazy an idea that one would "pray," in a sense.

at least I'm not THAT crazy. I kind of say these prayers that are really just hopeless thoughts being put to an inanimate object. They seem so pointless.. but.. what IF?

[truthBtold]

Mind you, given that atheism is only lack of belief in a god, and not disbelief, I suppose one could pray to any possible god that might be around to hear. It seems pointless to me, but an agnostic atheist still has room in their mind for the possibility, so it's maybe not that crazy an idea that one would "pray," in a sense.

at least I'm not THAT crazy. I kind of say these prayers that are really just hopeless thoughts being put to an inanimate object. They seem so pointless.. but.. what IF?

" IF " my aunt had balls... she would be my uncle..

[Doubting Thomas]

1. Have any of you atheists here while you were an atheist, prayed to God (or gods) in certain circumstances in your life, especially like in desperate times or in troublesome times?

Last time I prayed was when I was still religious but having serious doubts, and I prayed for God to show me that he exists. He didn't, and once I became atheist I've never prayed since.

[HarryStanluv25]

I don't pray. I may say things like 'omg please don't let this or that happen' or 'sweet Jesus' as forms of expression. Ways to get out anger or exasperation. Using god's name in vain really, so the opposite of praying lol.

I do remember though for a short while when I was a kid, there was this dog across my home that would bark at night and I'd go 'please god shut that dog up' and it did. I still find that a little funny, but no way is that a sign prayer works.

[Doubting Thomas]

I don't pray. I may say things like 'omg please don't let this or that happen' or 'sweet Jesus' as forms of expression.

That's funny, I usually say "God fucking dammit!" or "Jesus H. Fucking Christ!"

[Silver]

1. Have any of you atheists here while you were an atheist, prayed to God (or gods) in certain circumstances in your life, especially like in desperate times or in troublesome times?

No.

2. A small percentage of atheists said that they do pray (at least weekly or monthly) even though they don't believe in God. Are those people really atheists, then?

I would think not, unless one was to further delve into the particular prayer that those atheists supposedly communicate. Are they actually praying to anything in particular, or are they speaking to themselves in order to have a conversation with their consciences?