Etiquette Question

[violachick8]

This morning I fell and fucked up my knee. Thats beside the point though, while I was waiting for the ambulance a nice lady offered to hold my hand. She asked if she could pray for me and I said yes. I am an atheist and now I'm wondering what is the right thing to do in the situation. I said yes because she believes it would help me so why not let her help in her own way? But on the other hand I sort of feel like I should have said no since I do not believe.

Should I just allow someone to help in their own way or stick to my beliefs hardcore?

What would the right thing be in a situation like this or what would you have done?

[Incognito]

Just bite your tongue and let them do the crazy voodoo they do.

[DWarrior]

"I'm HIV positive, and yes you can hold my hand"

[picard102]

How does it hurt your beliefs if someone prays?

[serial_x]

Originally Posted by picard102

How does it hurt your beliefs if someone prays?

It's their need to force it on you. Just help her up or apply first aid, there's no need to "pray" for her.

[Junkenstein]

As long as someone is not trying to convert you or sell you stuff according to their religion, let them pray.

It's their vice. It's annoying, yeah. But if they're not saying "DO YOU BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE ONE AND ONLY SAVIOUR, YOU FILTHY WHORE!?", you can let them pray.

[picard102]

Originally Posted by serial_x

It's their need to force it on you. Just help her up or apply first aid, there's no need to "pray" for her.

If that's how it hurts someones atheist beliefs than their an insecure douchebag. Her praying doesn't harm you or your own beliefs in anyways. If she didn't ask and prayed for you silently you wouldn't know the difference.

[lattaland]

Y'know, my orthodontist used to play football. In fact, he's a a sports guy. I'd call him a man's man. Whenever I go to the orthodontist he asks me whatever game that was just on, tv ad nauseum, etc. I let him go on and on, despite the fact I don't care for sports at all. I would even go as far as to say I hate sports. Should I tell this guy, who's just trying to be nice, that I hate sports?

I think the lesson here is this:
When your 13, and they say wear your retainer, just do it.

[violachick8]

Originally Posted by picard102

How does it hurt your beliefs if someone prays?

It doesn't but it's their beliefs. I don't want to be disrespectful and have them pray in the honor of a non-believer. Plus it's sort of awkward even though she means it in the nicest way possible.

Originally Posted by Lanfear

first of all: poor baby i hope you feel better soon - that really sucks

on your question: as long as she doesn't ask you to pray with her it wouldn't hurt to do the polite "yes sure thank you" because really let her do her thing it probably helps her feel better and even though I am atheist too other people praying doesn't bother me.
Now if she asked you to pray with her that will probably be a bit harder to respond to but I would try my best to politely decline.

Thank you! She did end up wanting me to pray with her. She said a blessing for me and obliged me to say more but I just said Amen cause it seemed less sacriligious.

[picard102]

Originally Posted by violachick8

I don't want to be disrespectful and have them pray in the honor of a non-believer.

They generally don't have issues with praying for unbelievers. It's almost encouraged.

Originally Posted by violachick8

I just said Amen cause it seemed less sacrilegious.

If you don't believe in her nonsense it's not sacrilegious.