Good Luck

[Jackalope]

If someone wants to pray for me, knock yourself out.

It only becomes annoying when it's in lieu of taking personal action to help, or if someone says they're going to pray for my soul. The latter goes well beyond annoying, bordering on offensive.

[Cyberman]

I was just in the thread in which a member lived close to where the wildfires are burning in southern California and the member stated that she would ask for prayers, but that wouldn't do any good anyway. I am concerned and I did pray for all of them down there as I believe God listens to our prayers and does help people. What I read from atheists were wishes that things would be okay, with statements like "you're in my thoughts" and "good luck" and "take care of yourself" and so on. What does "being in your thoughts" do for anybody? Since these statements are totally worthless, why don't these people just skip the wasted words and make suggestions like "get some batteries since the power could go out" or "pack up and be ready to get out" or some practical help.

Let's put it this way. I (and others) let those affected know that we're thinking of them and concerned for their safety, because we are powerless to render any practical help. You pray for your god to help them.

The fires are still raging.

You do the maths.

[Minimalist]

[Mystical]

I was just in the thread in which a member lived close to where the wildfires are burning in southern California and the member stated that she would ask for prayers, but that wouldn't do any good anyway. I am concerned and I did pray for all of them down there as I believe God listens to our prayers and does help people. What I read from atheists were wishes that things would be okay, with statements like "you're in my thoughts" and "good luck" and "take care of yourself" and so on. What does "being in your thoughts" do for anybody? Since these statements are totally worthless, why don't these people just skip the wasted words and make suggestions like "get some batteries since the power could go out" or "pack up and be ready to get out" or some practical help.

Let's put it this way. I (and others) let those affected know that we're thinking of them and concerned for their safety, because we are powerless to render any practical help. You pray for your god to help them.

The fires are still raging.

You do the maths.

I wonder if Christians really think anything will change whether they pray or not about something like this. Seems disrespectful to me, to remind God to protect anything or anyone--thats like assuming he doesn't know. Or that he's not doing enough. Or that its his responsibility to do something.

[Cyberman]

There's basically three types of prayer, to suit three types of occasion.

The first is a general "I want you to know I'm thinking of you" which apparently is worthless, according to the OP. It's generally offered when the prayor can't think of anything else to say.

Then there's the "I am really concerned with your situation and this is the best way I know to help short of actually helping", equally worthless.

The last is the universal fuck-you: "I just want you to know that in my opinion there is something fundamentally flawed in you that does not match up to my own standards; and rather than grow the bollocks to tell you to your face, I'm going to hide behind a layer of magic and pretend I want to help you like the good guy I want you to think I am".

In any event, the fact that invariably the theist comes out and tells you that he's praying for you always strikes me as hilarious. Doesn't it work unless the prayee knows you're doing it?

[Tonus]

I wonder if Christians really think anything will change whether they pray or not about something like this. Seems disrespectful to me, to remind God to protect anything or anyone--thats like assuming he doesn't know. Or that he's not doing enough. Or that its his responsibility to do something.

I can understand the concept of asking for something, which fits in with the parent-child relationship that the Bible promotes between god and the believer. But there are so many ways to interpret the "results" of prayer in light of the idea that everything must go according to god's plan, that any outcome is evidence of god's response to prayer. In that sense, every prayer winds up convincing the Christian that god does listen.

[Fidel_Castronaut]

I didn't say it as an insult... it was an appropriate joke for an atheist forum. If that set you off, I can only assume it's the Christian Persecution Complex™ we all know and love.

Maybe spending so much time in this forum has led to my christian persecution complex. I guess I deserve it because I keep coming back for more. (No masochist jokes please!) It's probably my punishment for all those sins of the past.

We do not exist to 'persecute' you.

We are human beings, identical to you in every way aside one very minute, almost irrelevant issue regarding which deity we (don't) believe in.

[Mystical]

In any event, the fact that invariably the theist comes out and tells you that he's praying for you always strikes me as hilarious. Doesn't it work unless the prayee knows you're doing it?

No.
What do you think this is, some birthday candle wish?

[Lek]

I've had a few seemingly miraculous things happen to me, but I think that the way God answers my prayers generally is to empower me or get me through a situation "well", rather than "badly". Most of what happens, such as natural disasters, is probably according to God's will, but how we come out of the situation mentally and physically makes a big difference. According to scripture we're supposed to pray according to God's will and he will supply what we need in that regard.

[Mystical]

I wonder if Christians really think anything will change whether they pray or not about something like this. Seems disrespectful to me, to remind God to protect anything or anyone--thats like assuming he doesn't know. Or that he's not doing enough. Or that its his responsibility to do something.

I can understand the concept of asking for something, which fits in with the parent-child relationship that the Bible promotes between god and the believer. But there are so many ways to interpret the "results" of prayer in light of the idea that everything must go according to god's plan, that any outcome is evidence of god's response to prayer. In that sense, every prayer winds up convincing the Christian that god does listen.

Makes sense. On the other hand that means that Anything that happens is gods doing then. Unless its bad in which case its the believers fault-- or the devil attacking your faith in the good. All I have to say to that is:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=grnrx7JeDhg

Where's the good in this?