Religion

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)

41. What I am responding to is

Fri May 29, 2015, 08:21 AM

May 2015

the way so many people who "believe in the power of prayer" seem to think that just by invoking their invisible friend, things will magically be made right. It's magical thinking at its most dangerous. So long as so many people persist in such magical thinking the real work of science will be delayed, or even interfered with.

This is one and the same with the sort of hypocrisy that has Ted Cruz voting against federal aid for New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy, because the federal government shouldn't be involved, and yet asking for that very same aid now that Texas has been hard hit by climate change floodwaters. Or the people that don't believe in certain aspects of medical research, and yet happily accept the results of that research to cure their own diseases.

I don't really care of others find comfort in their imaginary invisible friend. Just don't expect others to do the same.

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An Atheist’s Open Letter to Those Praying for His Son [View all] rug May 2015 OP

I hope his son does well. cbayer May 2015 #1

Good letter. SheilaT May 2015 #2

There is absolutely no reason to think that people offer prayers as a substitute for cbayer May 2015 #4

"Religiously based relief agencies " generally use part of the money you mistakenly give them Warren Stupidity May 2015 #5

which secular NGOs do you mean as even MSF has overhead? Thanks and I an genuinely curious. uppityperson May 2015 #14

They all have overhead. That isn't the issue. Warren Stupidity May 2015 #18

thanks for the reply. I tried to volunteered for one, but was turned down only because wouldn't uppityperson May 2015 #22

No and that is all about choice yeoman6987 May 2015 #26

It's my observation that people who offer prayers SheilaT May 2015 #13

Your observations are consistent with your confirmation bias but not cbayer May 2015 #17

I am not the one saying people who pray are heinous. SheilaT May 2015 #20

Please provide a link to that study yeoman6987 May 2015 #27

I did not say anything about a study. SheilaT May 2015 #33

You made factual statements yeoman6987 May 2015 #34

Gosh. All factual statements need to be backed by a study? SheilaT May 2015 #39

You clearly said it was your observation. cbayer May 2015 #40

Despite your "invisible friend" snark, some people get guidance and strength from prayer cbayer May 2015 #35

What I am responding to is SheilaT May 2015 #41

What you say about those who believe in prayer are only your assumptions. cbayer May 2015 #42

To quote you: SheilaT May 2015 #44

You continue to make the same statement about people praying cbayer May 2015 #45

He's so cute...poor guy... AuntPatsy May 2015 #3

In conclusion... Warren Stupidity May 2015 #6

mmmhmmm Heddi May 2015 #9

Yes. Bugs23 May 2015 #12

Here's the end. rug May 2015 #21

Yep. okasha May 2015 #25

Makes sense. Hospitals are not cheap. Prayers are. truebrit71 May 2015 #29

Money is Of actual use, in this case. AtheistCrusader May 2015 #30

Not a paraphrase. okasha May 2015 #31

Still not something you put in double quotes. AtheistCrusader May 2015 #32

Stay classy. mr blur May 2015 #36

And what do you think would be more effective, prayer or money? Warren Stupidity May 2015 #37

"Don't pray for my son. Send me money." AlbertCat May 2015 #43

IF people want to help phil89 May 2015 #53

What's wrong with that? Goblinmonger May 2015 #48

I liked the assholes in the comment sections who were like Heddi May 2015 #7

"Your son has often been in my thoughts and I'm hoping everything turns out well" struggle4progress May 2015 #8

Why are you referring to yourself in your last line? Heddi May 2015 #10

Eh, I sorta had a bit of the same reaction that guy did, so .... moriah May 2015 #23

All those words and not one viable reason to lie about what the man said Heddi May 2015 #24

You actually think his "quote" was alledging that was their actual words? moriah May 2015 #38

WheN you insist on telling an atheist 'I'm praying for you' instead of AtheistCrusader May 2015 #46

And do all atheists have it tattooed on their forehead? moriah May 2015 #47

That persons entire online public identity is built around the public knowledge he is a atheist. AtheistCrusader May 2015 #49

Also, I love the implied 'you conform to my norm' in your objection. AtheistCrusader May 2015 #50

Some people pray anyway, even when they know you're not religious Rob H. May 2015 #51

Do they have to rub it in our faces? AtheistCrusader May 2015 #52

This wasn't just telling, even Rob H. May 2015 #54

That person should have sensed and been sensitive to your discomfort. AtheistCrusader May 2015 #65

I've had a similar experience. Mariana May 2015 #66

The best way I can think to describe it Rob H. May 2015 #68

Or, religious people could just go and pray privately Mariana May 2015 #67

Exactly. beam me up scottie May 2015 #77

you just described religious privilege Lordquinton May 2015 #83

Yes, I'm aware that I did. moriah May 2015 #88

so you claim to understand this privilege Lordquinton May 2015 #89

Why are you deliberately misrepresenting what he wrote? beam me up scottie May 2015 #90

What about the hateful bigots who smeared the father in this thread? beam me up scottie May 2015 #72

Eeww! Starboard Tack May 2015 #87

S4p turned criticism into invective. That wasn't a paraphrase. AtheistCrusader May 2015 #28

You're a very phil89 May 2015 #11

Seriously? Rob H. May 2015 #15

I did read it. phil89 May 2015 #55

Uh... Rob H. May 2015 #56

Oopsie. It's ugly when you think it's pointed at you, isn't it….. cbayer May 2015 #58

What a fascinating dialogue you just manufactured. Is there something you want to tell us? AtheistCrusader May 2015 #16

Nice letter goldent May 2015 #19

I wish them the best. hrmjustin May 2015 #57

Whatever you do, don't pray for them!! cbayer May 2015 #59

Well that doesn't bother me. hrmjustin May 2015 #60

When people say it to me, I hear "I care about you and I'm thinking of you". cbayer May 2015 #61

Yeah most understand it is a courtesy. hrmjustin May 2015 #62

Yes, there are those that are creepy - like "I'll pray for your salvation". cbayer May 2015 #63

yes. But simple prayers are just a courtesy. hrmjustin May 2015 #64

.... and to this couple, a complete waste of time... truebrit71 May 2015 #69

That is how they feel and they shpuld be respected. hrmjustin May 2015 #70

Exactly... truebrit71 May 2015 #71

Thank you for showing some class, justin. beam me up scottie May 2015 #73

Thank you and agreed. hrmjustin May 2015 #75

Agreed. truebrit71 May 2015 #76

Thanks, justin Rob H. May 2015 #79

My pleasure. hrmjustin May 2015 #80

How's the weather over there? truebrit71 May 2015 #74

I'm in Atlanta and it's been raining a lot. cbayer May 2015 #78

I can't believe how much shitflinging this guy's rather windy but honest letter has engendered here. MADem May 2015 #81

Thank fuck SOMEONE around here knows how to paraphrase. AtheistCrusader May 2015 #84

I am into "Live and let live." And I like little kids--they're some of the nicest, most honest MADem May 2015 #85

+1, done and done. AtheistCrusader May 2015 #86

I do get sick of hearing about god gwheezie May 2015 #82