Many of my friends are atheist but it´s not unusual for them to say something like "I´m praying for a lottery win" or "I´m praying England will beat Croatia". Who are they praying to. They may say it´s just a figure of speech, but is it. What do you think?
2007-11-24 22:27:10 · 14 answers · asked by soñador 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm an atheist, but I often catch myself using 'religious' speech. Like "God Only Knows!" or "Amen!".
It's not that I believe in a divine being, it's just that Christianity is so much a part of the English language that it's really natural for me to use religious sayings.
It's like how 'seeing' is a part of our language. i.e. "I see what you mean" - when someone is using a verbal argument! You only really notice these things when you're speaking to a blind person or you're really aware of religion and say 'god only knows'.
2007-11-24 22:34:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
From my limited understanding of faiths God is all things good. Hope and love and all that is good comes from God. Even the devil was a beautiful angel at one time according to the Bible. So technically from my point of view they just prayed to God without knowing or meaning. It does not matter because in the end everyone will have to account to something and I think we will all learn to kneel before him. No matter what a persons religion is we all pray to a higher power. Its just my opinion. Hope this helps.
2007-11-24 22:45:39 · answer #2 · answered by army of one 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
christians like to wish people luck when the bible clearly states that luck is a false god. some jack-hole with a very queer delusion even has been wishing everyone "good luck with your walk with christ"
i'm sure for the same reasons: it just a figure of speech. the difference is that atheists don't need to be careful about saying that sort of thing, when christians should know better.
2007-11-24 22:33:31 · answer #3 · answered by eelai000 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it's a figure of speech,in the same way as they might say "For gods sake" or in the same way that you refer to the days of the week by their names,or are you really paying homage to the ancient gods?
2007-11-24 22:31:58 · answer #4 · answered by darwinsfriend AM 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
atheists have hope, dream & wishes as much as those who believe in god. They just don't a god will be the answer to those things.
if there is a god, I would hope neither of those things to be on a priority list to be answered. very superficial things to want in a world filled with problems.
2007-11-24 22:34:58 · answer #5 · answered by insignificant_other 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prayer is for those who believe in God. Athiests have no one to pray to.
2007-11-24 22:31:28 · answer #6 · answered by N L 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes it is. Athiest don't even deserve to use the word. I have never even known an atheist, thank God, but if I did, I don't think I would keep their company. Prayer isn't something you do to seek a lottery win.
2007-11-24 22:33:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
I don't know about others, but I don't pray anymore.
2007-11-24 22:39:33 · answer #8 · answered by Let Me Think 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
its just a figure of speech, more like i wish.
2007-11-24 22:30:36 · answer #9 · answered by Maid In Britain 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They don't pray to God, they are basically using pray as a synonym for hope.
2007-11-24 22:29:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 2⤋