There’s a facebook group called Pray for an Atheist. It’s been swamped by atheists who’re currently spamming the page with pro-science videos, articles and of course many things either critical of religion or mocking it.
In between the owner of the group tries his or her best to promote religion by posting quote mines, fake articles, arguments from authority, and digging up about every old, used, beaten-to-death argument religious people have ever come up with against atheists. Usually, these calls are answered by countless refutations and more mockery.
Good. I am glad.
Because guess what? I don’t want you to pray for me.
I do not want ANYONE to waste their time in a nonsensical, useless ritual “for me” (instead of doing something useful) that is so tightly connected to oppression and violence, disrespect, immorality and other attributes I do not wish to be associated with. It’s an insult. And aren’t the religious always up on the barricades about “disrespect”? I don’t think they’re respecting atheism when engaging in prayer “for atheists”.
Why would I want you to practice your silly rituals for me when they’re the rituals habitually performed by people who oppress me for my world view and my sexuality? If anything, telling us you “pray for us” is an act of spite and condescension. However, considering the kinds of posts made by the owner of PFAA, that’s probably your intention. Well then, I’ll go buy a slave for you!
I suggest joining Do A Good Deed for A Religious Person, which is a counter-group to PFAA. And really – go do some good deeds. Because those religious dimwits are too busy praying to do anything useful, apparently.
Some one on RD.net had an avatar of a little girl kneeling by her bed saying her prayers, above her was a think bubble bearing the caption “So where’s my fucking pony then” It totally cracked me up at the time.
On the subject of believers praying for me, let them, they aren’t doing me any harm. I suppose I could take it as an insult but I think that maybe life’s too short. Religious people do enough real harm, I think it may be better to concentrate on that.
By: Stonyground on May 6, 2010
at 7:30 pm
I suppose we could be happy they’re only praying for us instead of any of the countless horrible deeds religious people so often prove themselves capable of. Yet, for people constantly demanding a special brand of respect, being so disrespectful of other people’s world views is – while not surprising at all – quite ironic.
And that with the avatar, that was me.
By: puzzledponderer on May 7, 2010
at 6:51 am
Oh, sorry, I should’ve read your description more clearly. That wasn’t my avatar. I shouldn’t reply about two seconds after waking up.
By: puzzledponderer on May 7, 2010
at 8:31 am