Praying for an Athiest

[EvianBaby]

I have thought long and hard about venturing into this topic as I usually do my best to avoid it but I would be interested to hear others thoughts on something.

If as an athiest, you (or someone close to you) became ill, how would you feel about someone religious saying they will be praying for you?

Would you take any comfort from it or would you be annoyed/offended by it and maybe even ask them not to?

Or as someone with religion, would you pray for someone even if you knew they were athiest? Would it make any difference to you?

I'd really appreciate it if answers could just be kept to personal opinions on the question and avoid any arguments over who's right and who's wrong, etc.

Thanks!

[sandyRoe]

The tripe is a treat for High Days and Holy Days. Usual fare is pulses moped up with stale bread.

[humbersloop]

Talk about indulging the flesh. Pulses everday?

[sandyRoe]

Except Fridays. Sardines, or tinned mackerel fillets, on toast then.

[humbersloop]

A sybaritic lifestlyle and I am shocked.

Whilst you are /moping/ them up, I think you may even be allowed them in tomato sauce. The A and D vits will keep you cheerful, and avoid the memory loss. Can't remember why.

I do, though, remember that at one time of day, chicken was classed as fish for Friday purposes.

[sandyRoe]

As was the Barnacle Goose. A bit tough and greasy for my taste, though.

[humbersloop]

Was it?

[humbersloop]

Sorry,was the Barnacle Goose, not was it too tough etc?

[sandyRoe]

My humble portion was the beak and feet. Believe me, they are tough.

[sandyRoe]

Oh, I see what you mean. Yes, Barnacle Goose was an honourary fish in order to facilitate having it on Fridays menu.

[jomifl]

Hi Sandy, now you've got your hermit diet sorted out, do you want me to check out some comfortable(or not according to taste) caves? The mediterranean end of the Pyrenees is good for sardine availability, and the Spanish do a good tomato. All washed down with ice cold water from melting snow...tempted?

[sandyRoe]

All of the accommodation on the pilgrim road to the shrine of St James is uncomfortable. The pilgrims sleep in bunk beds in large, barn like, rooms. When I was there, there was loud snoring, flatulence, and smelly feet. I sometimes wonder how the other peregrinos put up with me.

[jomifl]

Sandy, last year we dropped off a Canadian friend at St. Jean Pied de Port from where he started his walk to Santiago de C. He didn't have any complaints about the standard of accommodation as he chose his stops very carefully (even if he had to walk a lot further). His only complaint was that everyone spoke Spanish! (although we did warn him).

[sandyRoe]

It must be very nice in the Cóte Atlantique at this time of year.

[jomifl]

We spent last weekend just over the border in Spain on the Med. It was very pleasant, eating out without a coat weather and sunshine too. The grilled sardines were very nice(really).

[sandyRoe]

I'm sorry to hear that about the sardines. 'Nice' means they wouldn't meet my criterion for food. It has to be wholesome, very cheap, and not at all moreish, lest I fall into the vice of gluttony.

[jomifl]

11th commandment...Thou shalt not eat sardines, especially nice ones.