and you are asking for his... divine intervention for lack of a better word... and his assistance on a matter - let's say you are applying for a new job or are having some scary medical tests performed or something like this... It's very easy to ask a believer to...keep you in their prayers... but a non-believer may be offended by this... So since I believe in the power of positive thought, is it wrong of me to ask all that I care about - believers and non-believers alike to keep me in their thoughts?
Is it offensive to ask something that may go against someone's particular beliefs? I mean - If I'm asking an atheist to keep me in their thoughts, and I believe this will aid in a positive outcome, would that be offensive to them since they don't believe that there is anything to "pray" to? Would that still be considered a kind of prayer? Is it equally offensive to respond to a believer's request for prayer with a simple "I'll keep you in my thoughts" Not sure of the ettiquette
2007-11-19 03:55:12 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
(((Linz))) and you are in mine...
2007-11-19 04:04:34 · update #1
I'm not so sure about there being a higher power, and I don't pray, but I have absolutely no issues with keeping somebody in my thoughts or asking somebody else to do the same. I believe in positive energy as well. I think this is kind of the PC way to ask. Kind of like Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas.
2007-11-19 04:00:29 · answer #1 · answered by Molten Orange 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As a pagan we send each other positive energy. That is the same as keeping you in their thoughts. Depending on the pagan some like me will stop what I am doing and think about the person in need and send positive thoughts and vibes to that person. That is all prayer is anyway. I usually do not allow Christians to pray for me because usually that is negative energy and not positive and I have more than enough of that sent my way anyway.
However I contacted a Christian today and asked for positive energy and since I know Christians send this by way of prayer I gave him permission to pray because I know his beliefs will not allow pagan positive energy. I gave him permission because he has emailed me asked me questions talked and has been very friendly without judging. He has read my answers enough to know that I know the bible was a Christian but chose to leave. He is not getting in my way of my choice.
Atheists I do not understand why they would feel anger or resentment or any bad feelings because you are just asking for positive thoughts. I can only guess that since they believe in no god and no religion and magic and religion is for the uneducated and ignorant that this may be why they get upset, I am just guessing but they may think you are asking to engage in some mystical fantasy. Just a guess.
BB
2007-11-19 04:07:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually there are three categories. There are people who believe in God but don't believe in constantly asking him for stuff. 8^) If you getting that job is part of God's plan, then you'll get it. If not, then you wouldn't want God to bend the rules of the universe, would you?
I don't think atheists should be offended by prayer requests like that one. Unless by your tone of voice you seemed to be using the request to say 'I'm religious and you're not'. I belong to e-mail lists where people often ask for 'thoughts and prayers' about some particular problem, even though discussion of religion are forbidden on the list.
And yes, there -are- atheists and agnostics who believe in the power of thought and 'visualization'. Even if you don't, you figure it couldn't do any harm.
2007-11-19 04:04:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a great question. Unlike some of the less than intelligent ones that I have been reading in this section.
I am an evangelist. I travel across the country full time. And I do not believe that it is wrong to ask a Believer or a non-Believer to keep you "in their thoughts". Because both will interpret your request in different ways.
The Scripture declares that Believers should possess the "mind of Christ". It also instructs us as Believers to think on things that are pure, right, holy, of good report, etc. The Scriptures even teach us that "right thinking" or as you put it "positive thought" is needed when receiving a miracle. We read in the New Testament where a woman with a rare blood disease hears about Jesus. And the Scripture says, "she said within herself, 'If I can touch the hem of his garment, I shall be made whole'." She spoke it TO HERSELF. The literal translation of that passage says that she spoke this in her mind. She allowed herself to dwell upon it before she received her miracle.
Because what I'm thinking about, is what I am talking about. And what I am talking about, is the atmosphere I create around me. And the atmostphere I create around me is what I receive back to me. "Positive thinking", as you put it, is such an integral part of faith. And faith is what we as Believers base our entire lives on. We live by faith.
So to answer your question: no it is not offensive to either the Believer or the non-Believer. To a Believer keeping you "in their thoughts" is an extension of their heartfelt faith in God. Great question.
2007-11-19 04:41:37 · answer #4 · answered by venturak@sbcglobal.net 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't find any of that offensive. I do believe in God, and I'm very pleased when someone says he'll pray for me. I say that a lot too, but sometimes I'll just say I'll be thinking of you. That lets someone know that I'm cognoscente of whatever situation they're in, and that I hope the best for them. I've heard people say, "Keep a good thought for me" or something similar. I think it's perceived as a nice gesture, whether you believe in the same things or not.
2007-11-19 04:00:31 · answer #5 · answered by Debdeb 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing wrong with being concerned about others. I don't believe there is a higher power to help them. If you care for someone then you should worry about them. I'm atheist and I don't see how that would be offensive.
2007-11-19 04:00:50 · answer #6 · answered by Verbal Ninja 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. you purely think of you may desire to have self assurance in a god/bigger power because you could no longer understand how the universe grew to become into created with out one. study technology and you will comprehend that the actuality is the universe is larger than something a god must be. i've got under no circumstances theory that the petty tribal gods of our international ought to fairly compete with the actual wonders of nature and the universe.
2016-09-29 12:41:45 · answer #7 · answered by thieme 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally don't want people keeping me in their thoughts.
To ask of the God within, for something to be revealed, supported, or transformed, I ask of the heart within, connected through divine providence to the Heart of All.
The mind/body is too random and undisciplined to hold a vision to manifest. It is the heart within, the spirit/soul, connected to the Heart of All that translates.
On that premise, I would only ask a person I trust, know and have faith in where they dwell to hold the vision of health, freedom, or transformation with my own prayer of changes.
Peace in the heart
God is Gracious
2007-11-19 05:43:55 · answer #8 · answered by Astro 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it would be offensive. Wishing someone well doesn't have anything to do with believing in a higher power.
As for responding to a believer, just don't be disrespectful and you'll be fine.
BB
2007-11-19 04:01:32 · answer #9 · answered by Yup it's me! 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If someone cares about you and you have something important going on atheist or not they will keep you in their thoughts and as for responding "I'll keep you in my thoughts", I think that's a truthful and kind response. So as far as I can tell your train of thought all the way around is just fine. :)
2007-11-19 04:01:01 · answer #10 · answered by mrskerlin 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋