I think it's interesting that you don't like it when people say they'll pray for you! I'm an atheist as well, and I really appreciate it!
Admittedly, when I was a young punk railing against the establishment, I didn't like it. But, the way I see it now is that if someone tells you they're praying for you, it really does means something to them. They feel they have a personal relationship with a being of incredible power, and even if I don't believe in God, I realize that it's a big deal for them to ask this being for His protection. There's a lot of power in the act of asking your superior for a favour. And, I think, it would be disrespectful of me to mock them for it or deny them that act.
I mean, I don't think the whole 'pray for Japan' movement was useful, for sure, not when there are tangible ways to affect change in the mortal realm. But times like this, when one can't really lend a hand? Does as much as nothing does, and at least you know the attention and the empathy is there.
In short, my thoughts right now are with your aunt, even if it does just as much as anything else I could do. I just lost my aunt to a very quick battle with cancer, and I empathize.
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Admittedly, when I was a young punk railing against the establishment, I didn't like it. But, the way I see it now is that if someone tells you they're praying for you, it really does means something to them. They feel they have a personal relationship with a being of incredible power, and even if I don't believe in God, I realize that it's a big deal for them to ask this being for His protection. There's a lot of power in the act of asking your superior for a favour. And, I think, it would be disrespectful of me to mock them for it or deny them that act.
I mean, I don't think the whole 'pray for Japan' movement was useful, for sure, not when there are tangible ways to affect change in the mortal realm. But times like this, when one can't really lend a hand? Does as much as nothing does, and at least you know the attention and the empathy is there.
In short, my thoughts right now are with your aunt, even if it does just as much as anything else I could do. I just lost my aunt to a very quick battle with cancer, and I empathize.