praying
i have nothing against people praying for themselves, but if i have a problem and badly need help, having someone say "i'll pray for you" really pisses me off. if you want to help me, do something useful and help me, for fuck's sake! don't beg some mythical sky genie for help, just so you can go home all smug in the belief that you've done something constructive! not only is it annoying, but i find it insulting, too.
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Thu 31 Mar 2011, 18:20, 8 replies)

I see it...
...as the same as telling someone you'll be wanking while thinking about them.
(TheCastrator, Thu 31 Mar 2011, 18:46, closed)

very well put

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Thu 31 Mar 2011, 18:50, closed)

I might use that next time someone tells me they'll pray for me...

(LongJohnBaldry, Fri 1 Apr 2011, 15:44, closed)

ha!
indeed!!!
( @><|= w0nu!) or cunt to my friends, Mon 4 Apr 2011, 22:56, closed)

I just see it
as their way of showing compassion or concern. I'm a confirmed atheist, but I find it slightly reassuring when people have said it to me. The act of praying may be meaningless to me, but not to them. I've a friend who's an anglican priest and he's just about the only religious friend who doesn't say it to me. He shows compassion by bringing round a decent bottle of red wine.
( SteamedCleaner, Sun 3 Apr 2011, 13:21, closed)

that's my point
praying does nothing except make them feel better.
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sun 3 Apr 2011, 14:22, closed)

But isn't that the same with all acts of compassion? Whether it be taking a meal round to an ill neighbour or shoving a couple of quid in a charity collection tin, it could all be said to be down to selfishness rather than selflessness.
( SteamedCleaner, Mon 4 Apr 2011, 0:04, closed)

no
because, selfish or not, a meal taken to a neighbour or a couple of quid in a charit tin is something tangible, something that will actually help.
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Mon 4 Apr 2011, 15:47, closed)