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Atheists & Agnostics

JoeyT

(6,785 posts)

4. It's just one of many ways to express sympathy.

Reply to Stuckinthebush (Original post)

Wed Aug 14, 2013, 10:32 AM

Aug 2013

I actually give them a pass on that one, because I never have any idea what to say in discussions like that. "Wow, that sucks." is about the best I can manage.

As to what they hope it will accomplish if they're actually doing it, I have no idea. I don't know of any religions where praying for the dead makes any difference in what happens to them after they die. All the major ones I can think of pretty much figure once you're dead your eternal fate is locked in and no amount of praying by live people is going to change it.

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19 replies

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I'm praying for....! [View all] Stuckinthebush Aug 2013 OP

Matthew 6:5-6 trotsky Aug 2013 #1

Nah, I disagree. malthaussen Aug 2013 #2

I don't disagree with you Stuckinthebush Aug 2013 #6

I'd tentaively guess it has to do with who's doing the praying... malthaussen Aug 2013 #13

It's the oldest form of slacktivism Warpy Aug 2013 #3

True, but... Stuckinthebush Aug 2013 #7

They think it is reassuring to the recipient. AtheistCrusader Aug 2013 #10

So the act of praying doesn't exist without public disclosure Stuckinthebush Aug 2013 #12

Right. And if the prayee didn't say anything, the recipient would never know. AtheistCrusader Aug 2013 #15

The person doing it is approval-seeking Warpy Aug 2013 #11

Yes, that's my thought Stuckinthebush Aug 2013 #14

It's just one of many ways to express sympathy. JoeyT Aug 2013 #4

That is a good point Stuckinthebush Aug 2013 #8

Thanks to Twitter, this is what I think of now when I see things like that Rob H. Aug 2013 #5

Oh, I love that and am stealing it for my own. malthaussen Aug 2013 #9

I have encountered it as a shame mechanism too Lordquinton Aug 2013 #16

God is in a quandary. You can help Him make up His mind! dimbear Aug 2013 #17

I think it's just a way of expressing sympathy, which can be difficult at times. Evoman Aug 2013 #18

I don't get why people feel the need to pray to an asshole deity who would cause/allow such tragedy. Arugula Latte Aug 2013 #19