Comments on: Casseroles & Grace for Atheists http://www.mindonfire.com/2008/01/07/casseroles-grace-for-atheists/ Religion, SF, and Other Speculative Fictions. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:35:24 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Brian http://www.mindonfire.com/2008/01/07/casseroles-grace-for-atheists/comment-page-1/#comment-8604 Brian Tue, 08 Jan 2008 06:51:06 +0000 http://www.mindonfire.com/2008/01/07/casseroles-grace-for-atheists/#comment-8604 I'd say an honest "I've always got you in my thoughts" or something of the sort would be perfectly appropriate as a response. As Elaine said, I figure it all comes out in the wash, and I'd like to think most reasoned theists would agree. If there is a God, then he hears your wishes and meditations, and counts them as your heartfelt desire. If there isn't a God, then your family's prayers are just as efficacious to them as your meditation is to you. A simple affirmation that you do remember your family in the silence of your inner reflection would be more than enough for me, without any need for theological debate. I’d say an honest “I’ve always got you in my thoughts” or something of the sort would be perfectly appropriate as a response. As Elaine said, I figure it all comes out in the wash, and I’d like to think most reasoned theists would agree. If there is a God, then he hears your wishes and meditations, and counts them as your heartfelt desire. If there isn’t a God, then your family’s prayers are just as efficacious to them as your meditation is to you. A simple affirmation that you do remember your family in the silence of your inner reflection would be more than enough for me, without any need for theological debate.

]]> By: Elaine http://www.mindonfire.com/2008/01/07/casseroles-grace-for-atheists/comment-page-1/#comment-8549 Elaine Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:12:08 +0000 http://www.mindonfire.com/2008/01/07/casseroles-grace-for-atheists/#comment-8549 When people ask for prayers, I tell them I'll send positive thoughts. That is all I have to offer them at the moment, and who's to say that positive thoughts and prayer aren't the same thing in the end. When people ask for prayers, I tell them I’ll send positive thoughts. That is all I have to offer them at the moment, and who’s to say that positive thoughts and prayer aren’t the same thing in the end.

]]> By: Lessie http://www.mindonfire.com/2008/01/07/casseroles-grace-for-atheists/comment-page-1/#comment-8520 Lessie Mon, 07 Jan 2008 20:19:50 +0000 http://www.mindonfire.com/2008/01/07/casseroles-grace-for-atheists/#comment-8520 I so know what you mean. My mother has breast cancer and my youngest son is blind. I haven't been able to pray for either of them because I just don't think prayer is all that efficacious. My mom is a little more passive aggressive though and just says "thanks for your prayers" and I say "no problem" (I haven't told her out right about my agnosticism, but my dad has told her I have doubts. So I guess I'm a little passive aggressive right now as well). Anyway, being far from home right now, I also know what you mean about wishing I could do something more effective, I just don't know what it is. I so know what you mean. My mother has breast cancer and my youngest son is blind. I haven’t been able to pray for either of them because I just don’t think prayer is all that efficacious. My mom is a little more passive aggressive though and just says “thanks for your prayers” and I say “no problem” (I haven’t told her out right about my agnosticism, but my dad has told her I have doubts. So I guess I’m a little passive aggressive right now as well).

Anyway, being far from home right now, I also know what you mean about wishing I could do something more effective, I just don’t know what it is.

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