Against "I'll pray for you", continuation of last question?

Question

I'd like to thank those of you who answered my last question thoughtfully and respectfully, whichever side you argued for. I also want to clarify and ask again. I did not mean that I have a problem with you praying for me. That's fine. It's something personal for you, and you should do as you see fit. I apologize for the confusion. It's the statement itself, directed at me, when the person knows I'm an atheist and could be offended by it. "I'll pray for you." Let's compare it to someone coming up to a religious person and saying, "God is dead!" or using that in religious discussion. It's not going to detract from the religious person's principles, but it could be annoying and possibly hurtful. I guess I just want to know if that affects opinions or what people think.

Hmm, I need a question. If an atheist makes two posts on Yahoo Answers and attracts a couple hundred Christians to pray for him, would he have a better shot for redemption under the Christian God despite his beliefs?

My 'question' was actually just the filler. A joke if you will. I just didn't want to get reported for not having a question.

Answer 1

I'm agnostic my self, but I feel that most Christians say that they will pray for you as a passive aggressive attack on you. Like they are showing some sort of pity and they are helping you out some how, they can pray for you without telling you that they are going to do it, but no, they just have to let you know that they will pray for you. don't let them fool you, they are using the name of their God as a passive aggressive attack on you, because you offend them by not believing what they do.

Answer 2

You bring up a very good point.

By that logic, the Christians either shouldn't pray for people, because it allows athiests to "get away with" being athiest, and there's not an incentive to be an athiest. Hell, there's an economics term for it: Moral hazard, where someone doesn't suffer the full cost of their actions (generally this is like how water bills are higher in apartments where you don't pay your water bill individually, so people use up more water overall).

On the other hand, if praying for people DOESN'T have any effect, then there's no purpose to it either.

Well, what if praying for a person's soul causes them to convert? Well then, isn't that god restricting the free will of humanity? And if that's the case, that defeats the justification for sending people to hell in the first place!

Is there any possibility to the "I'll pray for your soul too!" thing (BTW: My mom once said that to a friend of mine as if it was a threat) that I missed?

Answer 3

I would hope to not offend you but I have to be faithful to the God I serve and that includes people who are hurting and seeking and need prayer. There is much power in prayer and the more people gathered together in spirit, praying for you, the more power there is to help you open your heart to hear the truth spoken lovingly and compassionately so that you may change your life for the better. By the way, I read your statement that you are atheistic and whether it hurt my feelings or not, it didn't stop me from reaching out to you and offering to share with you what I have. I have a feeling you aren't entirely satisfied and that you are seeking; if so, I would like to be a part of helping you.

Answer 4

In answer to your "question" I would say "Who knows?" (Well, I might say, "God only knows," but again, maybe not appropriate considering you are an athiest...) Personally, I rarely tell someone "I'll pray for you" unless I know it really means something to that person. I think it's a phrase that can come across as trite, even when it's meant sincerely. I'd prefer to just go ahead and pray, without announcing it.

Answer 5

I remember asking a pastor once about people in other countries that don't practice Christianity, and asking if God would allow them into heaven when they didn't know there was a God and hadn't had the opportunity to become a Christian. He pretty much said, "Nope, they go to hell." That made me so sad. Why would a loving God do that? Does that help answer your question?

Answer 6

people do need to be careful how they approach others...maybe they shouldn't SAY "i'll pray for you." maybe they should just do it. and the second question? being an athiest doesn't make God love you any less. and what's more, there's no such thing as a "better shot". everyone has the same shot, because Christ died for everyone, not just the people christians pray for. accepting Christ's redemption is you're personal choice, and if you reject it and harden you're heart....only God can soften it.

Answer 7

I agree with you. Telling someone "I'll pray for you" when you know they don't believe is really just a nice way of saying "go to hell". If they were sincere, they would simply do the praying without the need to tell you they were going to do it.

i.e., they are hypocrites.

Answer 8

relies upon on the context. If something basically surpassed off to me or I informed them i struggle via a coarse time, and their reaction is "i'm going to choose for you", I often thank them. they are showing their situation, and it is going to be favourite. yet whilst they are asserting it with the aid of fact, say, I informed them that i'm an atheist, or with the aid of fact I informed them that I play D&D, then it is basically condescending and that i will probable basically roll my eyes.

Answer 9

Actually, christians believe that ALL have sinned and come short of God's glory so that would mean equal access for all sinners!
(even atheists :)

Answer 10

There are no "better shots" with God. This may upset you, but He already knows who are His and who aren't... After all, He knows EVERYTHING...! It's just our coming around to understand His wooing us to Him...! I REALLY liked your preamble to the question... You seem genuinely interested and I respect that...! I like you... =)