I have joined several Facebook sites designated for people who have had that - OHS. Most of the time they are a good place to go to ask and answer questions; a place for support and good wishes.
But here lately, there are people who have taken offense when someone offers to pray for them, or says they are praying. They say things like - "I am an atheist and I am offended when someone assumes that I want prayers said for me!! I don't believe in your God and don't want you mentioning Him on a site that is secular/non-religious."
It takes all the goodness out of the reason for the sites, when someone gets all up in arms because someone makes a nice gesture of prayer. My feeling is that if you are an atheist or agnostic, you should just gloss over any comments about prayer or religion - don't comment, especially in the negative, and just move on to the next site.
Some people have left these various groups because of the mention of religion, some have left because others have been insulted by religious comments - and one person even started her own group - where she can feel free to pray for anyone she chooses. When a person offers to pray for you, they are offering support the best way they know how. They are not trying to persuade you to their opinions or religious bent.
I just don't understand some people. It would never occur to me to blast someone because of their religious beliefs or non-beliefs, especially in a public forum.
To one guy, I suggested that when he asked for support, he might have specified no religious comments - since when he got them, he was infuriated.
His reply was "are you suggesting that the onus is on me to ask people not to make religious comments? What kind of world do we live in?"
I said, exactly my thoughts - What kind of world do we live in?
Geez, people, lighten up!
11 comments:
These people need to chill. You would think having had OHS would drive that point home. I have been the recipient of prayers. I am not a prayer myself, but I gratefully accept good vibes however they are delivered.
I understand what you are saying Judy but I have to admit that it makes me feel very uneasy when someone says that to me. I usually just say "thanks" and change the subject. I know they say that out of concern for me (and whatever ailment I happen to have) but, if they are aware of my outlook concerning religion, I find it a bit degrading that they push theirs on me. (I do try to keep it light though, out of respect for their feelings.)
Most people, especially those on a public forum like a facebook site, would be unaware of another's stance on religion - or lack thereof. I don't view it as "pushing their ideas on you".
It's weird because loads of people say things like "I will pray for you" when they aren't really Christians anyway. I think the expression "I will pray for you" is used as superficially as "How ya doing?" when no one really wants to know or expects to get an answer.
A little more tolerance, consideration and grace are sometimes sadly lacking on F.B. and no doubt other public forums. We could teach by example.
Your musings here really give me food for thought, particularly in a public forum. I have a few specific friends I know don't believe in prayer, so I usually say I'm sending white light. But, that would probably upset people on your list because they don't believe in that either.
I say "Angels on you". My version of Bless You. Usually say Hugs! ..my friends know that means "sending good thoughts".
How do y'all feel when someone on fb or Twitter ask for prayers for very minor or petty things? And while I understand pets are family, I don't pray for them. I do send hugs when a pet dies.
the fundamentalist that is an atheist can be ever bit as annoying as those that are Christian or Jewish or Muslim fundamentalists.
I've never run across anything like that but GOOD GRIEF.....If your an atheist what difference does it make if someone prays for you or not? You don't believe in it anyway so it shouldn't matter to you one way or the other. People just seem to enjoy getting their panties in a wad.
I'm an atheist and I would NEVER respond unkindly to someone who wants to say a prayer for me or for anyone. Whether I believe in their god or gods or not, doesn't matter. What matters is that they do believe, and they are offering the best of themselves and their beliefs on my behalf. We can all be kind to each other, can't we?
Those support groups are a weird thing. I also belong to one on Facebook for my disease, and someone was reporting certain photos to Facebook as inappropriate. Yes, these are graphic photos. We, as a group suffering from this disease, have some pretty nasty stuff to deal with, lots of wounds, lots of blood, lots of surgery and scars. That's part of belonging here. It makes me nauseous that someone would turn a group that's meant to offer solace into just another venue where you feel judged and slighted for your suffering.
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