If an atheist had a close friend that was dying and they asked the atheist to pray for them, would the atheist

Question

A) pray for them

B) lie and tell them they will when they won't

C) tell them, "I'm an atheist, I don't pray...duh!"

Answer 1

Pray for them. They say God does not exist, but when in a pinch, they pray their guts out.

Answer 2

This is a good question.

If would ask the dying friend why he doesn't just pray for himself. Is it like God picks the most popular prayers to answer? Since I don't believe in God, I don't think a prayer from me would carry much weight if I was wrong about the whole God thing. Even if I loved that friend, I would feel like such a charlatan praying to save him. The request would make me a bit uncomfortable. If the friend was already praying for himself, which they would in all likelihood, I don't think prayer from me would me neccesary.

If I had to pick one of your choices, I hate to say it, but I would probably pick B. Even though I don't really approve of lying, if I told that lie, the friend would feel better and I wouldn't have to betray myself. It's a win-win. The only loser would be the truth, but I'm more loyal to people than I am to concepts.

Answer 3

A nicer version of C. My friends know I'm an atheist. I don't see why any of them would want a hypocritical prayer, and I'd actually consider it disrespect if someone who knows I'm an atheists asked me to pray.

My nicer version of C might include trying to change the subject or something like that, not direct confrontation.

Answer 4

Only three options? I would try to help them make sure that everything was as prepared for after they died as I could. I would try to make things as easy for their family as I could. I think actually doing things to help might do more than praying.

If they are in hospital dying then they are likely more concerned about their family than they are about God. It always seems to happen that way.
Terminal people don't spend much time praying, in spite of what the movies, priests and other purveyors of fiction would like you to believe.

Answer 5

They wouldn't ask the atheist to pray for them in the first place.

Answer 6

♥ I once believed but now I do not so I supose I am an athiest. I would do A. I have friends who still believe and I would still pray with them before meal or for whatever reason. I simply would not believe there was anyone listening. I would treat it as if it were a poem.

Answer 7

Praying would be hypocritical. Lying isn't an option for me.

I'd nicely remind them that I am an atheist, but will do whatever I can to help, such as run errands for them, hang out with them, hold them, cry with them, clean house or take care of their pets. These things seem more useful than prayer.

Answer 8

You should have added:

D) my friend wouldn't ask me to pray because my frirend knows I'm an atheist.

(that's the most likely scenario)

Answer 9

#3, but omit the "duh"

I would hold their hand and try to comfort them, but I wouldn't pray with them. Then again, this question is sneaky... it suggests that a true friend would ask such a thing of a known atheist.

Are you going to do this to an atheist friend?

Answer 10

It's hard to forsee what I'd do. If it were my mother or father (who don't know that I'm an Atheist), I'd probably close my eyes and pray.

Answer 11

They would lie for the greater good. They wouldn’t pray, just lie to make the friend feel better.
Prayer is glorified wishing it would not make a difference.