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If you are engaged in a discussion/debate with a theist and they post something like "I'm praying for you", do you take it as wish for your best interests or as a passive/aggressive "shot" meant to antagonize and belittle your point of view?
Thanks , but telling me you'll do something for me of which I have no belief in its power is really no favour and could be construed as a failure to respect my beliefs. But you are sincere and I'll accept them as long as you allow me to view them as best wishes!! LolIt all depends.
It would be nice if it was a genuine wish for your well-being and peace-of-mind.
I would go with my gut as to whether you find it a cheap shot that is motivated by a bit of arrogance or complacency - there's a lot of it going around in real life!
I will pray for you to be well guided in responding to whatever debates you are engaged in.
That's no pun - I really mean it - most of us need all the guidance we can get
All the best!
Regardless of the theist or atheist views, for anyone to say to you "I'm praying for you," when you have not solicited it, can be offensive. It's patronizing, no matter who says it to who unless there is a cause amongst friends, such as grieving a loss, or in the interest of encouragement. If it's to a stranger unsolicited, that's just the person's ego on display, announcing how spiritual they think they are.If you are engaged in a discussion/debate with a theist and they post something like "I'm praying for you", do you take it as wish for your best interests or as a passive/aggressive "shot" meant to antagonize and belittle your point of view?
Depends on the circumstances.If you are engaged in a discussion/debate with a theist and they post something like "I'm praying for you", do you take it as wish for your best interests or as a passive/aggressive "shot" meant to antagonize and belittle your point of view?
Isn't that already an idiom? If you haven't hard that retort as a theist, you haven't had much contact with unbelievers.I've seen it used both ways. I have no problem with it when sincere.
If it's being used in a demeaning way and I'm feeling pithy I might say 'I'll think for you.'
Especially when you 'hear' what isn't said. " ... because you can't do that yourself." And yes, that can also be added to the usual retort.Regardless of the theist or atheist views, for anyone to say to you "I'm praying for you," when you have not solicited it, can be offensive.
No. I take it as good intentions and leave it at that.If you are engaged in a discussion/debate with a theist and they post something like "I'm praying for you", do you take it as wish for your best interests or as a passive/aggressive "shot" meant to antagonize and belittle your point of view?
I tend to take it as the latter, while still acknowledging that the theist may not be aware of this implication. To many people who pray, the act of praying FOR someone has only ever been associated positively, so the act of praying for someone is seen as entirely selfless and noble; but this is only because they don't see the other side of it - the implication that the person they are praying for has some deficiency that requires your praying to save them from.If you are engaged in a discussion/debate with a theist and they post something like "I'm praying for you", do you take it as wish for your best interests or as a passive/aggressive "shot" meant to antagonize and belittle your point of view?
I'm inclined to agree with this rather than it being a conscious passive-aggressive remark, but I do like to point it out when they say it to me that I don't necessarily think that telling me I need to be prayed for is a very nice thing to say.To be fair to the religious, most time, they mean well when they say, "I'll pray for you"
I usually ignore it and treat it as a normal reaction from a person of faith.
Much more useful would have been, "What can I do to help?" but they believe praying is helping.
Ho hum
If you are engaged in a discussion/debate with a theist and they post something like "I'm praying for you", do you take it as wish for your best interests or as a passive/aggressive "shot" meant to antagonize and belittle your point of view?
If you are engaged in a discussion/debate with a theist and they post something like "I'm praying for you", do you take it as wish for your best interests or as a passive/aggressive "shot" meant to antagonize and belittle your point of view?
Perhaps.an atheist may not consider himself part of each other and may be insulted that you think he needs healingIt is something we are to do:
'Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.'
James 5:16
Perhaps.an atheist may not consider himself part of each other and may be insulted that you think he needs healing
Then you will find many may avoid you or worsePerhaps. But I can't help that - other than to pray for their enlightenment.
If you are engaged in a discussion/debate with a theist and they post something like "I'm praying for you", do you take it as wish for your best interests or as a passive/aggressive "shot" meant to antagonize and belittle your point of view?
If imprecatory or derisive prayer, I have no comment.If you are engaged in a discussion/debate with a theist and they post something like "I'm praying for you", do you take it as wish for your best interests or as a passive/aggressive "shot" meant to antagonize and belittle your point of view?