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If you are an Atheist do you find it offensive if someone wants to pray over you?

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If you are an Atheist do you find it offensive if someone wants to pray over you?

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  1. Depends. It can feel too much like trying to make me buy into it, or using me as Token Needs Prayer Person for their religious ceremony. Usually I nod and smile.

    If they pray for my salvation when I'm standing right there, I just want a cream pie.


  2. Why would that offend an antheist?  A real true atheist would not be offended, slightly amused maybe but not offended.

  3. I think it is very nice when someone else wishes them well. It doesn't mean you have to believe in their religion. They are just wishing you well and its better than wanting a negative outcome for you.

  4. No, but if they pray under me then that's a different story.

  5. As I Christian in Japan for a number of years, I was not offended by Japanese religious practices.

    I choose not to participate.

    God love you!

  6. I doubt that anyone would actually be "offended".

  7. Well it sounds like it might be scary. If they are over me praying, they're probably getting ready to sacrifice me.

  8. Go ahead. Waste your time all you want. At least that will keep you from legislating morality as often.

  9. If someone wants to pray FOR me, that's fine. But no one is going to pray OVER me. That's a violation of my personal space.

  10. Of course not. They can think whatever they like.

  11. idk this is relig here  

  12. I'm not necessarily an atheist, but I am a former Christian.

    I do not find it offensive at all, as long as the motives are good. Some people truly believe in the power of prayer; I don't think it could hurt anything.

  13. More of an annoying cop out than anything offensive.  If you really want to help, stop praying and roll up your sleeves.

  14. Hey, I'm not wasting my time. Knock yourself out.

    Although "I'll pray for you" is often used in hate mails as a Christian alternative to "feck you and rot in h**l". Which is funny.

  15. It's like forgiveness.  I can say I forgive you, but you don't know if it's true.  I do.  Forgiveness is about letting go of burdens - it's for the forgiver.

    Since I don't believe in god(s), nor in religions, their act is about them.  If they need that, it's fine with me.

    Interference is something else.  Try to shove it down my throat or my child's, ignore my wish to not have a formal service at my death, try to stop me from suicide if a chronic, painful, debilitating makes life unbearable, coerce me if I choose to not sing or swear to anything that includes a god (in U.S., it is a Christian god, no matter how much they lie about it) just to serve on a jury or give evidence.

    That all crosses the line.

  16. Not offensive.  Just useless.

  17. No, it's quite amusing actually.

  18. No, I'm used to that.

    Worth anything? No.

  19. Not really. A few years ago, when I was facing surgery, a couple I know asked if they could pray for me. I told them, "Sure, if it makes you feel better."

  20. No. I find it a little silly truthfully but it's really nice too. I don't find it offensive. People should be true to their beliefs but recognize that not everyone thinks the way that they do. It's ok as long as it doesn't cause others to suffer or hurt.  

  21. No but I find it kind of silly.

    Maybe they could help with that letter to Santa, too.

  22. YES.  I find prayer to be an outward showing of mental illness.  Keep it away from me.



  23. Are christians offended if people pray to Zeus over them?

  24. Pray about me? no

    Pray over me? Yes, I really don't like people hovering over me. And if they started praying while hovering over me... well that might become a little awkward, don't you think?

  25. It depends on why they're praying.

    If they're praying to "save me," then yes, I would find it offensive.

    If they're praying for me to be safe, or to not be sick anymore, or something... then I think it's sweet, although a bit silly and it's highly uncomfortable to me.  

  26. I sure do.  Especially if it's an Aztec doing the praying, and he's holding a big obsidian knife.  Oh boy.


  27. They can do what they want as long as it doesnt effect me. And since i know praying for me wont do anythign, it doesnt bother me at all.  Freedom of religion (or non-religion), man.  I wonder how many people have to pray for world peace for god to finally create world peace.  

  28. Honestly, yes - I do. If I wanted to save my soul, I'd do it myself.

    Praying for me when you know I've rejected the notion of religion shows just how little respect you have for my choice.

  29. Not at all.

  30. No I don't mind. They mean well.

    It's better than people going around killing each other.


  31. no. just pointless.

    say my kid is sick. id rather u give me 5 bucks for meds than pray. seems like prayer is the lazy mans "answer".
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