Question for the non-religious

[Booze Raccoon]

If you are going through a rough time and I tell you that I'm praying for you, is it offensive?  

[LeggsBenedict]

no.

[laceylaplante]

No. Not at all.

[Deleted]

No. Your religious so you pray. Others may say their thoughts are with you.

[studytime45]

Not offensive, but it doesn't do anything except comfort you. Let me clarify that the sentiment is nice.

[meggers5]

Not at all.

ETA: I would only be offended if someone told me a) God will see me through my troubles or b) this is God's plan.

[CurlyQ284]

No

[Booze Raccoon]

Aug 12, 2014 7:54:01 GMT -5 oceanspray said:

I would not be offended but I get nervous I would offend someone so I usually say they are in my thoughts.

Yes, me too!  I generally only say (on here) it when people ask for prayers.

[ECB]

Aug 12, 2014 7:53:18 GMT -5 studytime45 said:

Not offensive, but it doesn't do anything except comfort you. Let me clarify that the sentiment is nice.

This.  It's not offensive but it does absolutely nothing for me when someone says it to me.  I absolutely take it in the way it's meant - as in I KNOW they are just trying to be nice.  And I appreciate that.  But it doesn't "do" anything for me. 

[NothingWrongwithOhio]

Not offensive.

[Muddled]

I don't find it offensive, but I also don't find it helpful. I don't believe in the power of prayer, after all.

[Booze Raccoon]

Aug 12, 2014 7:53:18 GMT -5 studytime45 said:

Not offensive, but it doesn't do anything except comfort you. Let me clarify that the sentiment is nice.

I get what you're saying.  

[FastHands]

I do believe in God, but I've had conversations with people about it and found mixed reactions. My husband, for example, appreciates the good intention. I have friends who do find it offensive, though.

[keyslover]

no

there are times that I tell people that I am praying for them, even though my "praying" is different than theirs.

[cookies]

No. I appreciate that you are thinking of me. In this case, your thoughts are in the form of prayer.

[wise_rita]

No, of course not.

If you use that religion to infringe upon my rights and freedoms, however...

[CajunShrimp]

Nope. I will get annoyed and super uncomfortable if someone asks me to pray with them.

[Deleted]

No. I've only felt offended when it seemed like the person using the phrase was being dismissive, if that makes sense. Generally speaking, I think it's a nice sentiment.

[pantsparty]

No, it doesn't bother me.

[autumnfire]

No. To me it's your way of offering support in a way that you feel will be beneficial. I'm appreciative of it. In the same light if someone asks for prayers I tell them they're in my thoughts.

[iamgrace]

Only when my mom says it. I usually just (internally) roll my eyes.

[Jalapeñomel]

No

[VillainV]

I don't usually get offended, but some of it depends on the delivery (ie; "bad stuff is happening to you because you don't believe in God, so I'm going to pray for your soul" type of delivery would offend me).

[pantsoffdanceoff]

I'm religious, so it doesn't bother me at all. I would agree with a PP that specifically referencing God and that HE will help you would be deemed offensive.

I kind of feel like if you want to put out good thoughts/prayers/what have you to the universe knock yourself out. I'll take all the good thoughts someone wants to give me.

[mcmel]

I don't consider it offensive, but it isn't comforting.

[autumnfire]

Can I do a spin off post and say something that does bother me?

When we experienced our miscarriages (4 of them) On the 4th someone said to me "It's all in god's plan." That stung like no other. To have someone tell me their god took my children away from me because it was his plan just was incomprehensible to me. That sentiment just was a knife to the heart and was of no comfort to me at all.

[cville]

No.

I get offended if it's like "I will pray that you let the Lord Jesus Christ, our Risen Savior, into your heart so that you may be delivered of your troubles." If it's "I'm praying for you," I think that's kindly meant and I appreciate it.

[karmasabiotch]

No. I like to keep all my bases covered just in case it turns out I'm very wrong.

[screwedup]

It's not my favorite thing to hear because I view it as useless. HOWEVER, I know you mean well and I try to take it as such. I'd rather hear I'm in your thoughts.

[karmasabiotch]

Aug 12, 2014 8:25:17 GMT -5 autumnfire said:

Can I do a spin off post and say something that does bother me?

When we experienced our miscarriages (4 of them) On the 4th someone said to me "It's all in god's plan." That stung like no other. To have someone tell me their god took my children away from me because it was his plan just was incomprehensible to me. That sentiment just was a knife to the heart and was of no comfort to me at all.

I hated this when I was going through IF. I had so many people tell me that it was God's plan that I wasn't meant to be a Mom. Thankfully, science helped me.