Thoughts and Prayers
- Thread starter Trekker4747
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maquisleader
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It has, and when I think about it I realize I've wasted time thinking about it. I'm not them, I don't feel what they're feeling so it doesn't matter.
And why when someone was an utter piece of crap, people still say good things about them? Just because they're dead doesn't mean they weren't utter shits.
Cruelty always matters, if not to them than to who you are.
I'm an atheist. That being said, I have no problem saying "thoughts and prayers" in a situation where it might make it easier to help someone through a difficult time.
It's similar to when people use the term "soul". I don't believe that there is such a thing, some kind of intangible part of a person that can exist absent a physical body. Yet I still use the word in a kind of loose way to represent the essence of a person and all that makes up their personality and who they are. Doesn't need to connect with the idea that there be something supernatural going on.
It's similar to when people use the term "soul". I don't believe that there is such a thing, some kind of intangible part of a person that can exist absent a physical body. Yet I still use the word in a kind of loose way to represent the essence of a person and all that makes up their personality and who they are. Doesn't need to connect with the idea that there be something supernatural going on.
I agree with the latter, but we're not saying nice things for the sake of the dead but for the sake of the living.
As Martok said so wisely: we are not granted the mercy to decide for ourselves who we fall in love with. So it happens that people love people who are "utter shits" or plain fools.
And when they lose the object of their love, they hurt just as much as people hurt who lost someone who was nice and intelligent.
It's to comfort them that we talk nicely.
Yes, you don't feel what they feel. But if you have never been in a similar situation than them you are either very young or exceptionally lucky. Try to hold on to both - they don't last long.
I hold a strong Faith in my Creator; therefore, I have no problem telling people they are in my "thoughts and prayers". Where I live, most believe as I do. Only here am I in a minority, so they appreciate my thoughts and prayers.
[My hard and fast rule: I don't say I'll pray for someone unless I intend to do it. That would be lying.]
[My hard and fast rule: I don't say I'll pray for someone unless I intend to do it. That would be lying.]
As a devout Roman Catholic, I feel it incumbent upon me to offer my prayers to those in need of them. I am a firm believer in the power of prayer. And whether someone believes in a god, or not, to be told something like, "Jesus Loves You," is actually a sweet sentiment, regardless. To know that someone's god is on my side and - by extension - so is the someone who's informing me of that, in the first place ... it's a good feeling.
There's nothing wrong with goodwill, empathy and support ... and however it is conveyed (so long as it is respectfully conveyed), then that's what matters most (IMO, of course).
Personally, I'll acknowledge an issue, offer my emotional support, and offer a sympathetic/understanding ear to those in crisis. But the specific manner with which that support is conveyed matters much less than the genuine support itself.
Personally, I'll acknowledge an issue, offer my emotional support, and offer a sympathetic/understanding ear to those in crisis. But the specific manner with which that support is conveyed matters much less than the genuine support itself.
Well stated, Ancient Mariner.
Mine, too.
No. Not everyone thinks that "Jesus loves you" is "a sweet sentiment." Some find it downright offensive. There are other ways -- more neutral ways -- to express your caring to those who are not Christian or not religious at all.
There are also instances when Jesus loves you so much that he kills your relatives. So much love he spreads.
I was out today and someone offered to pray with/for me cause they saw I was in pain(foot & back was killing me) and I am a christian so it didn't bother me. I wonder what others who aren't would do if a stranger stopped you and offer to pray with/for you?
Really it's like getting a hug, if you're not comfortable with it then it is intrusive even if the person means well.
A little over a year ago a long-time friend asked me to pray for a particular outcome for a matter that was very important to him. I did my usual "I'll keep you in my thoughts" thing but he was (good-naturedly) insistent that I pray. So I said "sure," and I prayed.
Everything worked out well for him in that instance and he was pleased. He joked with me that it was because I'd prayed despite my own unbelief.
Completely coincidentally, he died suddenly about two months later (the matter which had concerned him was not about his health or anything related; when I say "coincidence" that's what I mean).
I've never regretted agreeing to something like that to please a friend simply because it's not something that I believe in. Life is too short to take oneself that seriously.
Everything worked out well for him in that instance and he was pleased. He joked with me that it was because I'd prayed despite my own unbelief.
Completely coincidentally, he died suddenly about two months later (the matter which had concerned him was not about his health or anything related; when I say "coincidence" that's what I mean).
I've never regretted agreeing to something like that to please a friend simply because it's not something that I believe in. Life is too short to take oneself that seriously.
^ Well said.
I should think that for most people it is less about taking yourself seriously, and more about wanting other people to take what you say seriously.
In Dennis's case somebody specifically asked him to pray, even though they know he doesn't believe in it, that isn't representative of most of the examples here at all.
In Dennis's case somebody specifically asked him to pray, even though they know he doesn't believe in it, that isn't representative of most of the examples here at all.
I'm not keen on people that force their beliefs on someone else.
People that insist that someone prays to their god even though they know that someone isn't religious, or doesn't believe in that particular god, for instance.
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