Atheist Prayers?

[Kyuuketsuki]

I suggest simply lying and say you'll pray for him, and/or bow your head during prayer. It's a funeral for God's sake. If one is going to a funeral, they should either play the part required or stay home and put flowers on the grave later.

But it isn't, it's a time to get together and commiserate over the life of someone lost ... god is just part of the ritual. I say this with some confidence because the humanist funeral my brother had was almost in every way identical to a religious funeral (there was even a period given for everyone to say goodbye in their own way, religious or not). The only thing missing from the ceremony was big G.

Sorry to hear about your brother, though. That's a tough one.

It's a while back now but thank you anyway.

Kyu

[Rockthatpiano06]

I've often wondered the same thing... but I think replacing thoughts with prayer is acceptable. Other then that, just try to be there for the person. I never found most things people say after a death comforting anyway. Like "its gods will" and all that crap... Just made me feel worse.

I also find myself 'praying' sometimes, I mean not to anything obviously, but kind of talking out loud. Like when something good happens, or I avoid a catastrophe, I'll kind of say "thank youuu" even though I don't believe in God and know that nobodys listening, lol. habit I guess?

[Eilonnwy]

I suggest simply lying and say you'll pray for him, and/or bow your head during prayer. It's a funeral for God's sake. If one is going to a funeral, they should either play the part required or stay home and put flowers on the grave later.

This posts makes a lot more sense now that you've admitted to being a theist. Not a surprise that you would expect others to kowtow to your religion.

BTW, I've been to funerals at churches and had to go to mass many times in high school as an atheist. I don't have to bow my head and pretend I believe. The people around me were just fine with me sitting silently during their services.

[Rockthatpiano06]

I agree Eilonnwy, I actually think it's wrong to pretend that you believe when you don't. You are disrespecting them and you are also disrespecting yourself. I think that thinking to yourself quietly is respectful enough without pretending to adopt someone elses belief system just to avoid uncomfortableness at a funeral. Also, saying you need to 'play a part' at a funeral is bs anyway... people of different faiths go to funerals all the time, you dont see jewish people pretending to be christian to fit in and avoid offending anyone.

[athoughtfulman]

To each their own.

I've only been an atheist for a year or so and haven't had anything too dramatic where I might've prayed so not sure what I'll do when the situation arises. I've got no problem with other people praying and from what I've seen, most religious people don't expect you to pray if you are clearly a non-believer. If we did 'pray' just to avoid being uncomfortable then we would be demonstrating doubt in our own beliefs. But you or I or anyone doesn't believe in god, why should we be uncomfortable by not praying? We're only using more commensense

[Kyuuketsuki]

I used to stand, sit, kneel and keep my head down at appropriate junctures in church but now I tend to just stand & sit and look around (not too obviously but not too discreet either) ... in essence what I am doing is making sure I can't be interpreted as demonstrating respect for cartoon caricature gods.

Kyu

[athoughtfulman]

You used to kneel even when you didn't believe? I just couldn't be bothered.

[Demonaura]

I was gonna do a video on religion but, all the local churches refused to be a part of any filming. I did use to somewhat pretend to go with the flow when I was at my christian friends place, apparently he told his parents that all of his friends are atheists and agnostics though so, I don't bother anymore and just check the time or scratch while they do their thing.

I don't bother trying to explain anything either, they don't even know what an agnostic is so, I'd have to start by telling them to forget all the propaganda they think they know about anyone.

[athoughtfulman]

Generally if you start trying to explain yourself, you'll be going for a very long time. Most christians have extreme trouble understanding why someone would ever want to be an atheist or an agnostic so almost any reason you can give them is invalid in light of their 'superior' evidence.

Let me know if you end up doing this video Demonaura, sounds interesting. Though I hardly think any church will let itself be cast in a negative light. Try Fred Phelps

[Demonaura]

I pretty much gave up on the video, not one of the local churches would talk to me.