Is it wrong for an Atheist to ask a Christian to pray for someone else?

Question

I know I don't believe, but if it puts someone else's mind at ease, wouldn't it be wrong for me not to ask someone I know who is religious to pray for someone? I know, it's kind of a complicated thought. I am looking specifically for Atheist answers, but all are welcome.

What I mean by wrong here, is blatantly hypocritical. I sit here at this terminal wondering why I should care, compassion is what I should be concerned about, even at the price of hypocracy. I wonder....

Answer 1

Wrong? Wrong in who's opinion? 'Right' and 'wrong' are value judgements, not absolutes.

If you can make someone feel better and you don't feel hypocritical asking them to pray, then by all means go for it.

Answer 2

Complicated thought because you may doubt your own beliefs. I think that prayer changes things and that maybe you need to think about that Christian praying for you as well, ask them for prayer to give your spirit enlightenment and guidence. Theres nothing like wondering down a dark path and not knowing where it may or may not lead. Im not saying believe in what I do, but believe in something. It's like picking lottery numbers but not playing the ticket and your numbers come up. You gotta be in it to win it. This lottery has your soul at stake. Don't wander in the dark forever and be bound to this earth for an eternity lost.

Answer 3

I am christian, but why does it matter to you if you are an atheist? Are you worried about offending someone, I mean what is the harm, worst case situation is that no one hears your prayer and it makes the person feel better. Does it conflict with your morals in believing that there is no god? Best case scenerio is that there is a god and he hears your prayers and helps out. Did you know that people who are prayed for have positive effects. I'll pray for your friend if you tell me what to pray for.

Answer 4

I'm not an atheist, but if I were, I'd still think it was a beautiful gesture. It is very mature of that atheist to put his own feelilngs and/or beliefs aside in order to ease someone else's mind.
I'm a Christian, but I would have no problem asking for prayers from someone of some other faith if it would ease someone who is suffering. But then, I believe God hears all sincere prayers...

Answer 5

I find this to be very hypocritical. Its like asking someone one to give you money from an account that you dont really believe is there. As a Christian this just solidifys my theory that there is no such thing as a true Athiest. Mabye you hate God or mabye you have no respect for Him but I dont think anyone truly believes that there is no God. This kind of question shows that. Trust Christ bro, it will be the best thing you ever do.

Answer 6

I know you are looking for atheist answers, but I just wanted to say that if you care about that person, then you will do what it is that makes them feel better. I believe in the power of prayer. If you asked someone to pray for me, I would have peace knowing that someone was interceding for me with God. I have atheist friends. We sometimes discuss the differences in our beliefs. But I don't ever pressure them. If it made them uncomfortable for me to pray for them, I would never tell them I was praying for them. Does that make me a bad Christian? No.

Answer 7

If you're an atheist, then you must realize there's no such thing as absolute right or wrong. Are the consequences worse than the action is pleasing (or vice versa)? That's the question you should try to answer IMHO.

If you are able to help someone you care about at no real cost to yourself, that seems like a no-brainer to me.

Answer 8

I think that there is nothing wrong in doing something for other people.

At some level you must accept that either the prayer or the thought of prayer has some effect. Perhaps you believe that "positive thinking" can have an effect, or perhaps you believe that the act of prayer and meditation can have a calming and beneficial effect.

If nothing else, perhaps it will strenghten the bond between you as you show your friend that you legitimize his beliefs by asking for this ritual.

Answer 9

I don't think it's wrong, but it's kind of hypocritical and silly. You know, as an atheist, that prayer does nothing, so why give anyone false hope and waste your time? I would never ask for anyone to pray for anything because I know it is a useless exercise.
Besides, if you do that, they may see it as an opportunity to preach to the back-slidden. :)

Answer 10

Dru, you're saying you're psychologically sound, then record voices telling you conflicting solutions to what you've requested. Do you even understand to whom or what you pray? Do the voices you listen come from interior or outdoors your head? you're scared as hell, telling those who you only pick to hearken to from those who will allow you to understand what you pick to hearken to. this isn't a sound psychological veiw element. Why are you so fearful? if you're as sound as you're saying then it shouldn't remember what absolutely everyone says to you, ought to it? i imagine you pick to ascertain a health care specialist for evaluation, instead of coming right here to communicate some thing it is, for sure, over maximum individuals's heads. As on your claims of religious freedom, those exist for each individual, no longer only when you only agree including your element of view! in case you pick only those who will believe then you definately do not come listen spewing your hatred of all non-christians. it truly is an open communicate board and isn't any position for hate vomiting jerks. I take exception with the, so-called, christians on right here speaking the communicate yet don't have from now on some thing yet overt hatred for non-christians, it truly is often taken out the Atheists, then the Muslims, who courageous this vicious, on-line, jungle.

Answer 11

I think it is fine if the person being prayed for is a believer and they know about it. If it makes them feel better it can't hurt. The power of the mind thinking it helps really will. It may even make them feel better if you agreed to pray with them. It would make my skin crawl, but I am assuming the person is sick and if I wanted to help them I would stoop to Jedi Mind Tricks.

No one says you can't do it and no one should hold it against you.