[bocorican]

I think you were the most polite you could be in that situation. As an atheist, you can believe there is no god but you don't have to take a stand against believers whenever you're confronted with one. I'm an atheist and I personally find it to be super nice whenever someone wants to pray for me, or my family, or wishes me a blessed day or whatever. I don't take offense because I just take it as a sort of thumbs up to me and my day and my life, and that's nice anyway you can get it.

Now if people ask me to pray for them, I simply tell them that I wish them well and to let me know if there's a way I can help, but don't make that a discussion my atheism either. Sometimes I even pray with people if I'm over for dinner and they happen to pray at a meal. I'll hold the hand or whatever. It's just a nice gesture, and I don't see it as fake. I am open about my belief, but allow people to include sentiments about me in their practice of their beliefs if they want.

I think militant atheism is strange.

oh yeah, i hope you feel better!