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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums"Thoughts and prayers" is no longer something I can utter
It's been rendered impotent by the Republicans after shooting incidents and the term is mocked here regularly. So when other tragic situations occur, I see "thoughts and prayers" and I immediately think, "Really, you still use that expression?" For example, when a friend was recently diagnosed with cancer and she revealed it on Facebook, one of the first comments was "You're in my thoughts and prayers."
There's nothing inherently wrong with the idea, just with the Republicans regurgitating it without taking any action on gun regulations.
"Thoughts and prayers" also shows up in this story about two float-planes colliding in Alaska:
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/14/floatplanes-carrying-royal-princess-cruise-goers-collide-in-alaska.html
I just cannot bring myself to say that anymore. I find other ways to express it.
marble falls
(56,358 posts)Crowman2009
(2,478 posts)....from doing any real change for the better.
dewsgirl
(14,961 posts)True Dough
(17,091 posts)Even if it is intended with full sincerity, it just rings hollow now, for me anyway.
Wounded Bear
(58,440 posts)Wounded Bear
(58,440 posts)T & P = meaningless internet prayers
TheBlackAdder
(28,073 posts)Act_of_Reparation
(9,116 posts)"Thoughts and prayers" has always been self-serving banal codswallop. The only distinction being drawn here is the line beyond which it is no longer acceptable to tell the suffering how badly you feel for them, without feeling so badly that you are compelled to actually help.
Coventina
(26,861 posts)It is true that "thoughts and prayers" has been distorted into sarcasm, but that's not the OP's fault.
Act_of_Reparation
(9,116 posts)"Thoughts and prayers" are not a simple expression of empathy. It is a phrase implying effort and possible outcome. For the offerant, it serves as a substitute for meaningful action, a salve to ease the cognitive dissonance caused by feeling for someone in a bad situation while otherwise unable or unwilling to actually help.
If you want to tell someone you care about them, you tell them you care about them. You don't tell them you're going to make time in your busy schedule to think about them and maybe petition your all-powerful skybound father figure for a favor he may or may not (read: may not) deign to fulfill.
Coventina
(26,861 posts)Link to tweet
?lang=en
"We send our thoughts and prayers to all at the Navy Yard who've been touched by this tragedy." President Obama
Rambling Man
(249 posts)it's often what you DON'T say and it's definitely what you DO.
Cash is king where meaningless offerings of "thoughts and prayers" are expressed.
Coventina
(26,861 posts)True Dough
(17,091 posts)I think that reply was uncalled for as well. I responded in kind to that poster.
True Dough
(17,091 posts)You chide me for ever having used the term "thoughts and prayers" (not like it was my go-to expression of solace), but I may have used it occasionally to replace "condolences" or some other term. And you say it's a way of communicating how badly you feel for them without being compelled to actually help. In some cases, I'm referring to sending a card to a grieving individual living halfway across the country who just lost a loved one. What would you have me do, bring the deceased back to life?
Now here's the undermining part, you open your post with "I'm sorry someone robbed you..." but you're not sorry at all. You know what you are? You're insincere, which is what you accused me of being by ever having used the term "thoughts and prayers."
Have a good day! (That's more insincerity, in case you don't recognize it!)
FakeNoose
(32,351 posts)JuJuYoshida
(2,214 posts)It's about as useful as a warm bucket of hamster vomit
VOX
(22,976 posts)Most of the time, brevity is best. But uttering a quick, reflexive thoughts and prayers, a phrase so utterly devalued by the continuing slaughter of Americans by Americans, carries about as much emotional weight as Have a nice day.
And yes, to effectively express genuine grief and sorrow in words takes some actual effort.
Bradical79
(4,490 posts)You can either do something, or you do nothing. Unless expressing support to a friend or familly, it's just meaningless. Often when it comes to politicians, it's typically insincere virtue signaling.