Quote:
Originally Posted by calvin-c
So, to be consistent, he shouldn't pray-but that doesn't mean others shouldn't pray for him. (FWIW I'm an atheist/agnostic-depends on how I feel on a given day. One of my strongest beliefs though is that I shouldn't require others to follow *my* beliefs. If they believe in prayer, and want to pray for me, they should feel free to do so-without me (or anyone else) telling them that I don't believe in it. I'll do that only if they ask me to pray with them.)
Although I can't (won't) pray for him, I do wish him & his the very best of luck.
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I do wish the best for him and his family, and if there is some overarching Intelligence out there concerned with the well-being of hairless apes on a minor planet that circles a average star in a outlying arm of one of billions of typical spiral galaxies, then I hope that Intelligence looks kindly on him and his family as well.
Unsolicited religious activity can be a problem for some folks. Just look at the uproar created by Holocaust survivors who are offended by
Mormons who perform baptism rituals for dead Jews. Or the
Pope's annual Prayer for the Jews. Of course, these prayers and baptisms have ulterior motives, so I can understand why they take offense. But why should unbelievers feel any less offense at prayers whose aim is to change them in ways they don't desire?
That having been said, as a secular humanist it doesn't bother me when other people offer prayers on my behalf. In truth, I'm flattered. I realize that from their perspective, they have my best interest in mind. Not to mention the fact that as long as they're on their knees, it's hard to launch an attack!