Forums / Discussion / Serious Debate

With the response of the response to the Paris and San Bernadino attacks, there seems to be a lot more negative reception towards people sending condolences specifically in the form of prayer. Is it bigotry towards religious folk or indignation towards slacktivism?

I'm inclined (read: biased) to believe the former, but I'd like to hear others thoughts on the issue. I personally view prayer as not a 'wish-granting ritual' but rather a process. It helps me focus on what issues are important to be thankful for and what issues I need to be concerned about or focused on. I see people sending their prayers out to the victims of shootings not as a means of wishing God to just fix everything but to focus on who truly is suffering in this time and offering grievances.

Rant aside, what are your thoughts on prayer and praying for others in tragic times? Additionally, do you view it as more/less offensive/meaningless then say sending your "thoughts" or other types of condolences out to someone?

It does seem like there's a bit of unwarranted hate towards the concept lately. The way I see it, if someone wants to pray, that's their prerogative, whether it makes a difference or not is irrelevant as far as I'm concerned. Basically, "it's the thought that counts".

I dunno, I guess the whole "sending my thoughts/prayers" thing just seems really damn phony to me. But maybe that's just my cynicism.

Haven't seen anything besides one image that would be considered anti-prayer. It's probably more of a slacktivism hate thing, but not really much people could do that wouldn't greatly interfere with their lives. Thought that counts etc etc

I'm personally aware of that one news… magazine(?) cover, as well as a few people bitching about it back during the Paris attack.

It's less aimed at regular people and more at politicians. People who actually can do something not doing anything to help fix the problem.

They were targeting GOP lawmakers who offered prayers and concern via social media but had voted against gun control measures, which is hysterical considering they put that hit piece together before they linked the Cali attackers to Islamic terrorism. "God isn't fixing this", indeed not, he seems to be causing it. Also before they discovered the terrorists had no background/etc and were able to legally buy guns in the state with some of the strictest gun control in the country.

No word from the liberal media on whether or not "better tracking of Muslims who take extended vacations in the Middle East" would start fixing this.

Does this explain things?

From what I've seen, people seem to hate it when people act like they are helping by praying for victims instead of giving money or doing something substantial to help. They feel that the people praying aren't doing anything to help, only drawing attention to themselves using a tragedy, acting like they are helping when they are not. They feel like this mentality of "You are helping by praying" is taking away from actual being given.

Basically, people are mad because saying that you have your "thoughts and prayers" with them does literally nothing. It's the height of laziness, and pretty much using a tragedy to attention whore.

Personally, I'm indifferent, but if I had to guess then perhaps someone might potentially see it as someone using a tragedy as an ends to a means where said means would be to "push their beliefs onto other people," especially if the message that mentions prayer also happens to mention Jesus or Allah or something.
Personally, I don't think that's the case 99% of the time, although I suppose wishing well for people in need and subconsciously trying to make your religion more visible in a positive light aren't mutually exclusive.