Can't athiest just accept as a good deed?
2007-12-27 03:49:16 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes atheists can accept the good deed.
Obnoxious people who just so happen to be atheists will make an argument out of it because they're obnoxious, not because they're atheists. If they weren't atheists they'd be a vegan and call you a murderer for eating meat, or they'd be a democrat and call you a hate monger because you're republican.
There are lots of people out there that are just plain repugnant. Their beliefs are just their medium for spreading misery.
2007-12-27 03:56:00 · answer #1 · answered by Steve A 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think atheists can accept it as a good deed, but many Christians give off the impression that they are without sin and better than people, that's probably why some atheists don't like it when Christians say "I'll pray for you." I for one, being a believer, think some Christians who say that are in no position to be praying for people when most of the time their lives are no example to live by. Plus, I have my views and beliefs and if people were constantly telling me what I believed in was wrong and their way was the right way, I don't think I'd take it well.
2007-12-27 12:03:44 · answer #2 · answered by Sazz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I Don't Get Upset. I Know It Is Coming From A Good Place When Someone Says That And They Mean The Best By It.
2007-12-27 11:58:12 · answer #3 · answered by Maire 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't get upset. I take it as something similar to saying "God bless you" when I sneeze. It's a reaction most Christians have been trained to give. It's meaningless and harmless.
Oh, and you actually consider praying as a good deed? I'd rather you actually do a good deed than waste your time praying for me.
2007-12-27 11:53:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
I think it is a good thing to tell someone you will pray for them. It is an even better thing to actually do it.
It is okay to pray anywhere and in any form, God hears it all.
When someone approaches you and asks for prayer, pray right then and there, because you might forget to do it later. If someone on Yahoo Answers asks for prayers, don't say, "I will pray for you", instead, pray for them in written form. God can hear and answer those prayers too.
Don't say, "I'll pray". Just pray.
2007-12-27 12:03:31 · answer #5 · answered by the sower 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What's "good" about it?
We don't want you doing a superstitious ritual for us, so the only one it does any "good" for is the christian who feels better after said superstitious ritual, thinking they've done something to convert that poor godless soul.
Look at it this way: would you think it was a "good deed" if I told you I would concentrate my thoughts and efforts into showing you the error of your ways and how deluded you are to believe in a mythical, non-existent god? Odds are you wouldn't want me to do that.
And so we don't want you doing the equivalent to or for us.
Having someone say that doesn't "upset" me, but it makes me feel sorry for the poor deluded christian who thinks some magical sky-guy is listening to them. Hey, if you want to practice a meaningless superstitious ritual, go ahead -- just leave me out of it, ok?
Peace.
2007-12-27 12:07:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well I'm not an atheist, agnostic would be a better description. Usually I appreciate it and look to see if it will help, if it has I'm not aware of it. Then their are times when I look at it the same as someone saying "Good Luck". To me that usually means "I personally cannot or will not do anything to help you, so here's my out."
2007-12-27 12:05:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't get upset when people say that. I have Christian friends who from time to time have said that to me. My response (jokingly, of course) is "OK, and I'll do a rain-dance for you!"
Yes, I do accept it as a kind of positive gesture on their part. As far as that goes, I'll say "thank you," but I'd prefer a hug over a prayer any day...
Peace.
2007-12-27 11:55:43 · answer #8 · answered by phoenixshade 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the context.
If someone says "I'll pray for you" because they are getting humiliated in a religious debate, it's obvious that the phrase is nothing more than their escape hatch.
If someone says "I'll pray for you" in the context of "I wish you well" or "You are in my thoughts", then most atheists take it with the good intent that it was meant in.
2007-12-27 11:53:34 · answer #9 · answered by Deke 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Which atheist were you talking about?
Generally I don't care how you waste your time, but there is the nagging fact that prayers for sick individuals have been shown to have a negative effect, it's not a nice thing to tell people.
2007-12-27 11:55:29 · answer #10 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋