Atheists Hate Thoughts and Prayers so Much They'll Pay You Not to Pray for Them

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Would you pay a Christian to not pray for you? Would you pay an atheist to not think about you?

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ABOUT: Rebecca Watson is the founder of the Skepchick Network, a collection of sites focused on science and critical thinking. She has written for outlets such as Slate, Popular Science, and the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. She's also the host of Quiz-o-tron, a rowdy, live quiz show that pits scientists against comedians. Asteroid 153289 Rebeccawatson is named after her (her real name being 153289).

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[blixer]

I remember reading this story about a Jewish Mystic who was asked by one of his cheekier students that since god has a purpose for everything what is the purpose of the atheist? The mystic responded to model true charity and goodness. For the atheists does good for the sake of goodness, not because they believe that they will receive a reward for it in the afterlife. he further stated that when someone comes to them in need in that moment they should become atheists, and rather than say "I will pray for you" imagine their is no god to hear your prayers and say instead "I will help you." This story has stuck with me.

[DennisEckmeier]

The real problem with "thoughts and prayers" is that people who honestly want to help - if just a little bit - think they have done their part and remain inactive. That's why I don't want people to "send thoughts and prayers" because it means they won't do anything of meaning.

[dats]

I'm an atheist and my family keeps telling me, as they have for years, that they're praying for me. I used to just say thanks. Now I say: "I know and I can tell because nothing ever happens."

[notnotkavi]

I love that a bunch of scientists actually got together and named a journal PNAS without saying it out loud

[kewldudexx]

I’m the only atheist in my family. It was really awkward when my niece had cancer and they would pray for her and I didn’t. It made me feel like they thought I didn’t care for her wellbeing.

[bengreen]

disappointing. For a second there I was thinking about becoming Christian just so I could make my fortune not praying for people.

[gsogymrat]

Years ago when I was on Facebook someone said they were sick and asked for prayers. I responded "I hope you feel better soon" and was chastised that the request was for PRAYERS not hopes. Clearly, the illness was taking its toll.

[ttubebaby]

Holy... I was actually thinking, "$3.54 sounds like a good price."

[ilexater]

I appreciate it when my mother says she prays for me because I know she means it. I'm agnostic, and I don't know if God exists, but if they do, I don't think there's been a book yet written that accurately describes them. However, my parents are Christian, and I know that when my mother tells me she prays for me, she's going to the highest power she knows of and hoping for my life to be easier and for me to be happy.

Under that context, I accept the sentiment of thoughts and prayers only if it's genuine, but it is worse than doing nothing to just say it for the sake of looking good online and then continuing to ignore the actual problems at hand.

[AccountErased]

Funny. Back when I was a Christian, a Muslim told me he would pray for me to help me pass my exams and I just thought that was really sweet, and I would still think so now.

[laurenmiller]

Side note--I saw a video of a Q&A where Obama addressed a question about gun violence/control, and he said that the CDC isn't even allowed to study gun violence because Americans view that as a start to “taking away our guns.” (I saw this years ago, and so, unfortunately, I don’t know what year it was filmed).

Then, in 2018 (as part of the Dickey amendment), the government voted that the CDC can study gun violence, but they cannot fund their research with government allocated money.

Hopefully, that means progress? 🥺

Another side note--
Spirituality should be about action as well as prayer. Part of prayer is seeking direction from God/whoever you believe in, about how to deal with issues. While there are moments that things are out of our control, doing nothing and passively pushing prayer as a scapegoat is not productive. But that is just my belief. AND all these “Christians” advocating for guns, should remember God’s doctrine is against violence as a way of living. (correct me if I'm wrong- I like to keep an open mind).

Thank you for your video. I appreciate your point of view, and I have subscribed to make sure I see more of your content. Cheers!

[economicist]

I'm still a little fuzzy on the use people claiming to be immortal have for firearms.

[shninky]

I reckon that when people have no power to do something about the tragedy, thoughts and prayers can help them cope, but people with power (eg politicians) do *NOT* get to act as if they're helping with thoughts and prayers.

[therugburnz]

I'd be happy to have anyone think about me. I think thinking about someone is more important than merely praying for them. Here is why I feel this way. If another is thinking about you, at least they might think about you in a positive way. If they think about you in a positive way, they may be able to justify actually doing a Real in this world act of kindness like giving you food.

[Traderhood]

Prayer is not even like meditating as in meditation one just passively observes thoughts as they appear.

[danielstromberg]

Prayer does something, but not for the reason xtians believe.

It's a combination of light planning and meditation - not a direct line to the almighty.

[cg]

I could've been in this study 😂 I work at UNCW right in the middle of where Florence hit. I totally get the responses here. A lot of people lost their homes, businesses/ farms and everyone was traumatized. There were already predatory people from all over coming in to collect detailed information on those in trouble to exploit and con what little they had left. I'm not at all surprised that the atheists involved took one look at this and trolled or got angry at the imaginary prayer team/the researchers who weren't doing shit to help out.

[mus-dos]

Look im not willing to pay someone to not to pray for me, but why not send me money instead of sending me good vibes?

[joeyj]

Beautiful! That is some science I can get excited about. Wonder if I can pay a sibling to stop evangelizing at me?

[AnonEyeMouse]

I wonder how much they would pay a satanist not to pray (to satan) for them? I can see a lot more Baphomet statues being funded that way...