Please don't pray for me?

Question

Whenever certain Christians address atheists, it always seems to be accompanied by "I'll pray for you." We hate that. Obviously you know we don't believe in your God. The prayer in and of itself means nothing, and the fact that you throw that back just shows complete disrespect for us as people. Imagine a satanist saying they would pray for you, maybe even sacrifice a small animal. You prolly wouldn't take it seriously but it could still be extremely irritating.

Consider if we go by your standards for a moment. Assume the existence of the Christian God. All of us are sinners inately, correct? We must seek salvation from God to reverse this. So if you continue to pray for us and all this does is further alienate us, (which it does) does this mean you're actually contributing to our damnation instead? If people have free will (I forget if that is assumed) God can't do anything about it and the only effect is negative.

If God doesn't exist, all is moot.

Why do people keep it up?

Answer 1

Just so I completely understand... Is it the Actual prayer that irritates Atheist, or the "I will pray for you" after a answer to a question?



PS. You seem to be somewhat confused by what's going on when a prayer is said for you. Maybe you should look into prayer a little and see if you are still annoyed by it. Just a thought.

Answer 2

Are you the appointed voice of the atheist community, friend? Maybe all atheists don't hate it... Furthermore, there is a HUGE difference between satanists and Christians.... I don't think that a satanic sacrifice would be out of love... And I don't understand how a prayer would further alienate you... if anything the prayer would be directed towards helping you to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior.... that's not alienation.. if you choose not to do so, then so be it- if not , oh well, nothing lost, nothing gained....
In asking questions such as these it leads me to believe that you have never read the Bible, nor do you understand the covenant of God with his people..... So until you DO read and understand the only thing that's alienation you is your unknowingness... He's there, and He'll love you when you're ready... and by the way, I'll pray for you :-).. Not for your salvation, just for more knowledge:-)

Answer 3

Please know that I mean this respectfully, but I really don't understand why you would feel offended by someone saying I will pray for you- I odn't understand how you feel that is throwing something in your face. I would not be offended or irritated with the scenarios that you mentioned above because I am very confident in my faith and I know that god is not dead and anyone saying that is not going to change that and #2 what a satanist does is going to be between Him and God and no evil that he would intend for me would prosper.
I wonder at people who have attacked my signatures on my emails or been offended at a scripture on my wall or shirt- do they get offended driving down the road and passing in front of a church?? Please, I am not trying to belittle, I really am trying to understand- it does not make a lot of sense to me that someone so sure of their beliefs would be offended at the suggestion of another belief.
Especially atheism, if there is no God nd no one to be accountable to in the end, and we all end up nothing more than worm food, what does it matter how anyone lives their life- it does not seem that it would be an issue and it would seem pointless to get offended over something such as that.
As for the prayer- I don't make it a habit to tell atheists that I will pray for them, although I make it a habit to pray for as many that come across my path- and if I do say that , it is just to express that the person I am addressing- I do not take them for granted, they are important enough to me to think about their life, their situation, and offer up a prayer for whatever situation they may be in because I care about their life and what happens to them in this life and the life after.
What I don't understand is that if there is no God and you really believe that, what would be so offensive aobut someone offering up a prayer on your behalf to an imaginary deity- if nothing else the thought should be amusing, entertaining maybe , but certainly not offensive- the only thing that would be offensive- and I can see how it can be because there are some that do this and it is not christianlike behavior, would be for someone to say they would pray for you with an attitude of superiority and pridefulness- in that case no matter wehat you believed, the attitude would be offensive- not the offer of prayer

Answer 4

if what you're saying was true, then what you're saying doesn't matter... becuase there is no negaive or positive, there'd only be nothing. And you wouldn't be real. And then this answer would not exist.
And this complex laungage is only an illiusion and your complex eyes reading this organized sentence are just as organized and chaotic meaningful as a melting block of ice on pluto three hundred years ago
So don't get mad at me if you're an atheist and your right, because then rights and freedom does not matter or exist, except in your mind, and those you force them on, and your meaninglessness is not comparable to anothers, and so no comment you could ever make would ever be worth complying.
I should only do what makes my illusion feel seemingly happy, and ignore you.
so depressing...

I'm glad I'm not an atheist, I have reason, purpose and bright hope for tommorrow, and I've got things I'm willing to sacrifice myself for to help other people!
ANyways, how could poetry and humor exist without God?

Answer 5

Okay, your point is taken! Most Christians do have good intentions when they say things like that, just forget about it.
My opinion to your assumptions is: I believe in Good and Evil, Love and Hate, Heaven and Hell, Science and Mother Nature....for one can not exist without the power of the other....God and Satan both exist, and so do atheists. If you believed that sacrificing a small animal in my honor and for good intentions for my benefit is your way of sending me a blessing, I would be honored, even if my beliefs are different from yours! We are what we believe in! So, don't worry too much about what everyone else says, or thinks about you. Just live your life the best way possible with the best intentions for everyone and everything in it.
Live long and prosper!

Answer 6

Whoa, Have you ever heard of "Be nonetheless and recognise that I am God. Ps. forty six:10. Jesus will go back whilst it's time. There is not anything guy can do to pace it up. There is figure to be performed, like getting the gospel out to the arena and that's taking place.Sorry to disagree with you, learn the guide of Revelation whilst Jesus returns,no longer the rapture, however to pass judgement on the arena this international might be transformed. As terrible as it's to listen to approximately baby abuse and all of the different horrible matters on this international we have got to comprehend that that is the fallen situation we are living in. It is our accountability to aid the ones in agony, no longer blame God. Save your breathe and give up yelling at God for the rotten international we are living in, cross aid any individual much less lucky and ask God to aid you.

Answer 7

Very thoughtful question. People often use their religion to beat other people over the head. This is what Jesus would do? I don't think so...

There's a great expression of this very idea in a writing called "Pray for Me At Your Own Risk" by David Lachance, It's part of a collection called "Voices from the Cafe".

If you don't have time to read the whole thing, search for the section entitled "Pray for Me At Your Own Risk" on the following site.
http://www.geocities.com/absaroka2001/voices.html

Very well-written.

Answer 8

You don't believe in God so why are you being so defensive about someone else talking to him about you. It's wasted time right? He doesn't hear because he's nonexistent right? I think thee do protest too much. There is a part of you that defies God that part of you is afraid of Christian prayers because it works. Otherwise you wouldn't be so worked up about it. If you told me you were going to pray to the Easter Bunny for me. I wouldn't give it a second thought. He doesn't exist therefore he won't hear your prayer's. So knowing this deep down in my heart I wouldn't give a rip how much you prayed to something that doesn't exist. You are proving your doubts by getting so upset about it.

Answer 9

Because, God does exist. And I want you to know Him, so I'm praying for you.

Just because someone finds something offensive doesn't mean that I abandon my ideals. I find some of the things that you said in your question to be offensive, but you are allowed to continue to be an atheist and do and say these things.

I think this may make you a hypocrite

Answer 10

I am a strong beleiver in Christ as my savior. I am so happy and full of joy. I want to share my joy and happiness with everyone I come across. I respect people and their differences, but what if Jesus came back to save us? What if you aren't ready? I just want to make the point clear: I love my God, he loves me, he loves you, he loves all that is good. Nothing can make me think differently.

Praying doesn't alienate anyone. It makes the bond between human and God stronger.

Asking a beleiver to not pray is like asking a cow to not eat. They are going to eat, and we are going to pray. It shows great disrespect to Christians when you ask them not to pray. When they pray for you, they are trying to help you.

So no matter what you tell me or what you do, I will continue praying for people. Christians and non beleivers, I pray for them both.

Answer 11

I've answered many questions posted by those who don't believe, and have had enough sense to NOT say things like "God Bless" or "I'll pray for you". You have a good point, if a person doesn't believe WHY say those things to them, it's meaningless to them. I, BTW am a Christian, but hey, different strokes for different folks, right? I don't judge you and all I ask is that you don't judge me. It takes all sorts to make up this world and I deeply believe in our right to freedom of thought and speech. So, good luck, hope I was somewhat helpful.