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]
Breakfast at Tiffany's Oh... I mean, the Breakfast Club
Now we are getting to some of my favorite things. I love that movie my favorite scene Jonny: It was banner effing year at the Bender House, MY old man bought me carton of cigarettes said "Smoke up Jonny!"
followed closely by
John (looking disgusted): Why did you think it would be easy?
B: HAve you seen some of the dopes that take shop?
J: I take shop. You must be a freakin idiot.
some language changes made to meet TOS no intended infringment upon copyright laws intended
Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
ROFL at the turns the thread has taken.
So, here's the results of my tally sheet: Yes on being offended by the original prayer, no on being offended by the revised prayer, yes on being offended by the posts suggesting that being offended by prayer means I'm not a good American (still figuring that one out, actually) no on being offended by Stove top, no on jello, yes on Spam, no on tangents and no on Shakespeare (to the extent I understand it, which isn't much).
So, here's the results of my tally sheet: Yes on being offended by the original prayer, no on being offended by the revised prayer, yes on being offended by the posts suggesting that being offended by prayer means I'm not a good American (still figuring that one out, actually) no on being offended by Stove top, no on jello, yes on Spam, no on tangents and no on Shakespeare (to the extent I understand it, which isn't much).
But what about these questions regarding offering prayer to people on the board without knowing thier religious beliefs or affiliations?
I would like to take it in another direction now.
Consider this:
On this very bulletin board many people come here and share their deepest feelings and often sorrows. Many times they report sad events such as deaths or loss or illness.
Many of us myself included often reply with kind words and more often than not end with "I will keep you in my prayers", "you and your family will be in my prayers" etc.
My question now is are we being considerate of their beleifs?
I never know if they have a faith or religious affiliation, but we don't seem to think this is rude or offensive.
How different is this than what the original thread asked, just because we are not praying over a dead person?[/Quote]
Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
Originally Posted by CCU NRS
I would like to take it in another direction now.
Consider this:
On this very bulletin board many people come here and share their deepest feelings and often sorrows. Many times they report sad events such as deaths or loss or illness.
Many of us myself included often reply with kind words and more often than not end with "I will keep you in my prayers", "you and your family will be in my prayers" etc.
My question now is are we being considerate of their beleifs?
I never know if they have a faith or religious affiliation, but we don't seem to think this is rude or offensive.
How different is this than what the original thread asked, just because we are not praying over a dead person?
If you recall, my objection to the original prayer was that you were asking that a place be prepared for me in heaven. Perhaps I don't believe in heaven. When the prayer was revised in more general terms that just asked that I find peace and my family find comfort (paraphrased, I know, but there's too many posts to go back and try to find the exact wording), I no longer objected. I have no problem with you asking your God for those things- because I do believe in resting in peace and in my family finding a way to move past grief and go on with their lives. I am not one to tell anyone that I will keep them in my prayers, since I don't pray, but I will certainly keep them in my thoughts. Prayers are just thoughts relayed to God, are they not? Having said that, I can also understand why there are some who are offended at having any prayer offered on their behalf, and I believe it is important to respect those feelings and beliefs.
So, here's the results of my tally sheet: Yes on being offended by the original prayer, no on being offended by the revised prayer, yes on being offended by the posts suggesting that being offended by prayer means I'm not a good American (still figuring that one out, actually) no on being offended by Stove top, no on jello, yes on Spam, no on tangents and no on Shakespeare (to the extent I understand it, which isn't much).
Mercy... I must say, I find your wit refreshing.
And, "NO" on Shakespeare????? Who would have thunk.
But what about these questions regarding offering prayer to people on the board without knowing thier religious beliefs or affiliations?
It seems to me that the difference lies in that here on allnurses, we are acting as individual persons without moral or ethical standards to uphold, other than our own personal ones. At work, we are paid for our professional services and operate in a therapeutic milieu and are obligated to forego our personal needs for a patient/family centered needs base.
Do you want me whispering in your dying ear that there is no afterlife or heaven and I hope you have made your life worthwhile and not wasted it waiting for a greater reward?
rngreenhorn
317 Posts
Breakfast at Tiffany's Oh... I mean, the Breakfast Club