I am curious to know if you would be offended, if at church on Sunday your Pastor got up and said a prayer for Church Mice?
I mean he prayed that the mice be strengthened and given the ability to carry out their mousey duties and to eventually render the Church unusable, so that the Parisheners would finally have to pony up the dough to pay for a new Church.
ok I am kidding here is the original post but hey if you are just now reading this thread there have been many twists and turns and I no longer say a prayer over the deceased and yes largely due to many of the points made in this thread. Also NO i would not be offended if anyone of any belief Satanist, TO Catholic said prayers or whipered chants or whatever in my ear that said it was and is an interesting thread but please read about 5-10 of the current posts prior to posting
Now The
ORIGNAL POST
I am curious to know if you would be offended, after death if someone were to say a prayer over you.
I would really like to hear from as many Agnostic or Atheist as possible.
I recently began saying a prayer over anyone that dies in my presence. Many times I do not know if the person had a religious preference or not. I am curious to know if people would be offended if they knew someone was going to pray over them when they die.
here is the prayer
Dear Lord not our will but yours. Into thine hands we commend the spirit of this peaceful child of God. Prepare a place for him/her Now in Your Heavenly Kingdom![/Quote]
Thank you, PamUK. I felt largely the same way when I read the post, but I didn't want the bother of constructing a lengthy response. Too lazy, perhaps. Besides I know it's not going to change anything.
jwk, the op asked if we wanted to be prayed over when we passed. My answer was "no". You're response is essentially "too bad, I'm going to pray over you anyway, you won't know because you're dead, and I'm right and you're wrong."
While I admire the spirit of love in your heart that you are truly concerned about my soul. Please respect my wishes anyway and let me take my chances. Okay?
What difference does this really make to a dead person? And why is anyone in this country offended by prayer anyway?
The greenback god we all work for says "In God We Trust" and we love him.
Our national anthem goes:
"O thus be it ever when free-men shall stand
Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!songs credit
The Declaration of Independence references "God", and the "Creator" and we revere it.
The Pledge of Allegiance contains similar religious language, but we all say it over and over again anyway.
We swear oaths on the Bible before testifying in court
And the fact that an overwhelming majority of Americans came out in such force against gay marriage at the polls in the recent elections, claiming that moral issues are more important to them than anything else! This from a population of atheists AND religious people with skyrocketing divorce rates, increasing STDs among unmarried people, increasing number of unmarried people shacking up together, racism, greed, unethical behavior, murder, rape, child abuse, and the list goes on. Where's the morality?
Considering all the cr*p going on these days, I'd say a prayer over a dead body is not the most offensive thing that anyone can do.
Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
What difference does this really make to a dead person? And why is anyone in this country offended by prayer anyway?
The greenback god we all work for says "In God We Trust" and we love him.
Our national anthem goes:
"O thus be it ever when free-men shall stand
Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!songs credit
The Declaration of Independence references "God", and the "Creator" and we revere it.
The Pledge of Allegiance contains similar religious language, but we all say it over and over again anyway.
We swear oaths on the Bible before testifying in court
And the fact that an overwhelming majority of Americans came out in such force against gay marriage at the polls in the recent elections, claiming that moral issues are more important to them than anything else! This from a population of atheists AND religious people with skyrocketing divorce rates, increasing STDs among unmarried people, increasing number of unmarried people shacking up together, racism, greed, unethical behavior, murder, rape, child abuse, and the list goes on. Where's the morality?
Considering all the cr*p going on these days, I'd say a prayer over a dead body is not the most offensive thing that anyone can do.
What possible difference does it make what the "majority" of Americans believe? This forum has people from all over the world that visit! Also, the OP's question was if we, as individuals, would find her prayer offensive. Not "do you think the majority of Americans would find this offensive?" Plenty of atheists and people of other religions have moral standards just as high as those you espouse, just as plenty of Christians have morals that are somewhat less than above reproach.
What difference does this really make to a dead person? And why is anyone in this country offended by prayer anyway?
The greenback god we all work for says "In God We Trust" and we love him.
Our national anthem goes:
"O thus be it ever when free-men shall stand
Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!songs credit
The Declaration of Independence references "God", and the "Creator" and we revere it.
The Pledge of Allegiance contains similar religious language, but we all say it over and over again anyway.
We swear oaths on the Bible before testifying in court
And the fact that an overwhelming majority of Americans came out in such force against gay marriage at the polls in the recent elections, claiming that moral issues are more important to them than anything else! This from a population of atheists AND religious people with skyrocketing divorce rates, increasing STDs among unmarried people, increasing number of unmarried people shacking up together, racism, greed, unethical behavior, murder, rape, child abuse, and the list goes on. Where's the morality?
Considering all the cr*p going on these days, I'd say a prayer over a dead body is not the most offensive thing that anyone can do.
Just had to say that I think this was an awesome post . . .especially the last line. :)
What difference does this really make to a dead person? And why is anyone in this country offended by prayer anyway?
Considering all the cr*p going on these days, I'd say a prayer over a dead body is not the most offensive thing that anyone can do.
If you ask why, then I will try to provide a convincing answer. It matters because of its strong symbolic value. You cannot just tell people not to symbolically attach strong feelings to dead bodies.
Since the beginning of mankind, we have had ceremonious and strongly symbolic certain ways and values of treating the dead. This need to feel that it matters how our dead bodies are treated is innate, not logical or 20th century cognitive or cerebral. Its here to stay within mankind's psyche and that is why its important. We cannot just kill this need.
So it reflects on culture and society as a whole the way we treat the dead. Don't let anyone convince you to believe that "it doesn't matter" or that it doesn't reflect upon society how the dead is treated becasue that is only a "small part" of society when there are so much "bigger issues" to be concerned about then dead, inanimate objects. These kinds of statements underestimate the need for the human psyche to be at peace with itself in order to survive. It has an impact.
This is why I am scared that people here don't seem to care how they treat other peoples' bodies after they have died. You can argue that it doesn't hurt the person who is already dead, I guess, if you want. But can you argue that it does not hurt the people who are alive and who see you treat a dead person's body that way? Can you argue that it does not hurt society that is still very much alive when you go against a dead person's wishes?
If you ask why, then I will try to provide a convincing answer. It matters because of its strong symbolic value. You cannot just tell people not to symbolically attach strong feelings to dead bodies.
Since the beginning of mankind, we have had ceremonious and strongly symbolic certain ways and values of treating the dead. This need to feel that it matters how our dead bodies are treated is innate, not logical or 20th century cognitive or cerebral. Its here to stay within mankind's psyche and that is why its important. We cannot just kill this need.
So it reflects on culture and society as a whole the way we treat the dead. Don't let anyone convince you to believe that "it doesn't matter" or that it doesn't reflect upon society how the dead is treated becasue that is only a "small part" of society when there are so much "bigger issues" to be concerned about then dead, inanimate objects. These kinds of statements underestimate the need for the human psyche to be at peace with itself in order to survive. It has an impact.
This is why I am scared that people here don't seem to care how they treat other peoples' bodies after they have died. You can argue that it doesn't hurt the person who is already dead, I guess, if you want. But can you argue that it does not hurt the people who are alive and who see you treat a dead person's body that way? Can you argue that it does not hurt society that is still very much alive when you go against a dead person's wishes?
What difference does this really make to a dead person? And why is anyone in this country offended by prayer anyway?
The greenback god we all work for says "In God We Trust" and we love him.
Our national anthem goes:
"O thus be it ever when free-men shall stand
Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!songs credit
The Declaration of Independence references "God", and the "Creator" and we revere it.
The Pledge of Allegiance contains similar religious language, but we all say it over and over again anyway.
We swear oaths on the Bible before testifying in court
And the fact that an overwhelming majority of Americans came out in such force against gay marriage at the polls in the recent elections, claiming that moral issues are more important to them than anything else! This from a population of atheists AND religious people with skyrocketing divorce rates, increasing STDs among unmarried people, increasing number of unmarried people shacking up together, racism, greed, unethical behavior, murder, rape, child abuse, and the list goes on. Where's the morality?
Considering all the cr*p going on these days, I'd say a prayer over a dead body is not the most offensive thing that anyone can do.
I'd say the last paragraph is definately true. There's definately more offensive things you can do. Such as not respect the beliefs of the deceased or the people in this thread. We have bigger fish to fry and it certainly isn't a major issue.
But the original poster asked a question. Rather than answer the question, you simply insulted the one's who didn't believe as you do. and brought up some useless information why you think it's o.k. for to disrespect non-religious folks.
The overwhelming majority of people in this thread and in our country believe as you do and aren't insulted by prayer. And the majority of Americans believe in God and Jesus and oppose gay marriage. So what? The question was would I be insulted if someone prayed over me if it wasn't my wishes.
Why question those of us who don't want prayer, rather than just respect our wishes?
LOL. Feel free to ask it to be closed now that I've had my two cents again. (Just kidding, I hate when threads are closed.)
This thread is taking on a new topic from this point
NEW QUESTION
I would like to know how many are offended by
Stuffing, I mean if you have a Thankgiving Turkey do you stuff?
As a second issue homemade or Stove Top?
I am personaally offended by Stove Top on Thanksgiving, I mean get real I love Stove Top all through the year and I especially love to take a batch of over large buttefly'd pork chops and stuff them with Stove Top and I use Stove Top the rest of the year in fact it is almost a staple of my diet(LOL)There is also some confusion as to wheather stuffing and dressing are the same thing? I say we should call Stove Top stuffing and Homemade dressing, although this can be confusing because as we all know dressing can be such things as Ranch , Italian, French etc.
So in conclusion to stuff or not to stuff?
Homemade or Stove Top?
Stuffing or Dressing?
Please respoind this is a matter of grave importance especially since it is Turkey day already and I am making myself very hungry with all this food talk!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone
ps lets see if we can bring some food ads up down there V
Angelica
262 Posts
Thank you, PamUK. I felt largely the same way when I read the post, but I didn't want the bother of constructing a lengthy response. Too lazy, perhaps. Besides I know it's not going to change anything.