What do you say to people who say, "I'll pray for you", when you tell them you're an atheist? I like to tell them, "and I'll sacrifice a chicken to Shiva for you! " Sounds so much nicer than, "don't bother"...
So there's this cashier at the local Dollar General that is always saying "God bless you" and "have a blessed day". I ignore it mostly, but my daughter is not so tolerant. One day, as I'm standing aside watching my daughter check out with this cashier, I hear my daughter say "hail Satan" in response to the "blessed day". The look on the cashier's face....
OOOOH PALEEEASE get that on video and post it..
A funny one would be, hey while you're ordering, can I get two double cheese burgers with no pickles or onions, and a large fry...
Nice! I'll use that one!
I always say, "Thank you," and smile. What the hell it takes no time and uses face muscles.
I don't mind if people pray for me. They mean it be a kindness.
@OwlInASack I think the difference between me and many people on this site is that I grew up with no religion so these things are really meaningless to me. I don't have the same experience with control from a religion that others do so I don't feel it is anything but a platitude. I didn't care that my granddaughters were baptized because to me it is just water on the head. For others it is a vestige of an awful time in their lives. So not really complacent but more of a whatever. If you are wishing me well in your own way I am ok with that.
@OwlInASack Ah family! That is always a different kettle of fish!
@OwlInASack An old friend of mine, a very out-spoken Atheist btw, always responds with, " So, you're after extra Frequent Flyer points so you can get up-grade from Economy to V.I.P. class for your flight to nowhere are you?'
I tell them to go f*ck themselves!
I love the way THAT sounds!
Hehehe!
When someone says, "I'll pray for you..." I respond, "And I'll THINK for you."
Happens to me all the time. I usually don't say anything or just thank you.
@sweetcharlotte You are too sweet! Thank you is the way to go
And I'll think for you.
Very good!
Nobody ever says it here in Australia, not even the religious people who I know. Perhaps they know that I am beyond praying for.
..is that what that ‘religious freedom act’ I just heard about down there is all about … encouraging ‘them’ to announce their religion to you?
[agnostic.com]
We get lots of religious nuts in the usa
@Coffeeman Way to many...
What are you supposed to say, when someone admits that they plan to waste minutes of their life in a meaningless gesture on your behalf? Umm... thanks, I guess.
Hehehe
"I don't believe in an invisible being that resides somewhere beyond the clouds."
That shuts them up. Mission accomplished.
I refer to "him" as a Jewish zombie.
That's great! I'll use that one! No sky guy!
I often refer to him as sky daddy.
Depends on who it is, and what motivates the statement.
My dear BFF of 55 years: I just give her a hug. I know she’s religious, she knows I’m not. No need going into it; we use our own shorthand.
Stranger or obnoxious proselytizer: anything from ignoring them to saying ‘thanks. You pray for me, I’ll wish on a star for you’.
I tell them thank you. They mean well.
Same here...
I would just say “Thank you” and move on. Even Hitch was known to respond in such a way, especially in the later part of his life when we was sick.
The fact of the matter is that the overwhelming majority of people who say that never do. They are just meaningless words that make those people feel more Christian.
I usually say I don’t believe in it but knock yourself out.
Depends on who they are and how snide a comment they can handle
Let them have it!
Thats my approach as well...
Mostly I say Thanks and leave it at that. Sometimes I say, "thanks, I'll tell the ravens" and when they want to know what that is all about I show them my tattoo of Huginn and Muninn , Odin's ravens and messengers. Most people shut up and not bother me again . The younger crowd is fascinated, so I can tell the sagas. There are never any repeat prayers.
Thor be blessed!
@Coffeeman The Norse gods did not want or require adolation by the humans.