"The victims are in our prayers" as response to tragedy

[Tribes Republic]

I live in Massachusetts about a mile from Boston and I don't pray because it does nothing for the victims or their families

[NERVUN]

The bombings at the Boston Marathon today have got me thinking about this.

After a major tragedy or disaster, you will inevitably hear people saying things like "my prayers are with the victims and their families". But does this really achieve anything?

Obviously, as an atheist, I think that prayer in response to tragic events is silly and accomplishes nothing. However, I think that this goes beyond the usual debate over religion vs. atheism.

There are two (sometimes three) ways that I see people react to a tragic event.

1) Help provide actual, tangible, aid to the people who have been affected. This also includes making donations to aid groups.
2) Pray for the victims and their families.
3) (only applies if the disaster hits in a country that is or has historically been an enemy of your country) Loudly proclaim that the victims deserved it. This was especially prevalent in the aftermath of Japan's 2011 earthquake.

Ignoring the ridiculousness of option 3, there is a clear distinction between 1 and 2: one provides tangible help to the victims, while 2 does not. Even if someone is religious, I do not see the point in ignoring 1 in favor of 2. Because, if you truly want to help those who need it (I am ignoring the people who "pray for those affected" as an ego-boosting feel-good kind of thing), why wouldn't you do something that you KNOW will help, instead of something that your FAITH makes you HOPE will help?

What do you think? Discuss.

It's called empathy... It's generally a nice thing to have.



Seriously, you think making a statement of empathy of "I'm thinking of you/praying for you" equates to "Doesn't do anything else"? Screw that. Not only that, being remembered does have an effect on those in the disaster zone. To bring up Japan (My home), yes, the aid helped, it was thankfully acknowledged (and still is), but the expressions of sympathy, even Lady Gaga's "Pray for Japan" also helped to remind those in the zone that they aren't alone, they are remembered, their suffering understood.

Two years on, many of them wonder if people still do.

edit: I do have a small question for those deriding people stating they are praying for the victims in this, did you change over to the equal sign in support for homosexual marriage?

[Tlaceceyaya]

It is actually counterproductive.
Doing something with no real effect like wearing a ribbon, or in this case praying, makes you feel like you don't need to do as much actual stuff.

[Regnum Dominae]

The bombings at the Boston Marathon today have got me thinking about this.

After a major tragedy or disaster, you will inevitably hear people saying things like "my prayers are with the victims and their families". But does this really achieve anything?

Obviously, as an atheist, I think that prayer in response to tragic events is silly and accomplishes nothing. However, I think that this goes beyond the usual debate over religion vs. atheism.

There are two (sometimes three) ways that I see people react to a tragic event.

1) Help provide actual, tangible, aid to the people who have been affected. This also includes making donations to aid groups.
2) Pray for the victims and their families.
3) (only applies if the disaster hits in a country that is or has historically been an enemy of your country) Loudly proclaim that the victims deserved it. This was especially prevalent in the aftermath of Japan's 2011 earthquake.

Ignoring the ridiculousness of option 3, there is a clear distinction between 1 and 2: one provides tangible help to the victims, while 2 does not. Even if someone is religious, I do not see the point in ignoring 1 in favor of 2. Because, if you truly want to help those who need it (I am ignoring the people who "pray for those affected" as an ego-boosting feel-good kind of thing), why wouldn't you do something that you KNOW will help, instead of something that your FAITH makes you HOPE will help?

What do you think? Discuss.

It's called empathy... It's generally a nice thing to have.



Seriously, you think making a statement of empathy of "I'm thinking of you/praying for you" equates to "Doesn't do anything else"? Screw that. Not only that, being remembered does have an effect on those in the disaster zone. To bring up Japan (My home), yes, the aid helped, it was thankfully acknowledged (and still is), but the expressions of sympathy, even Lady Gaga's "Pray for Japan" also helped to remind those in the zone that they aren't alone, they are remembered, their suffering understood.

Two years on, many of them wonder if people still do.

I'm talking about people who say things like "I am praying for the victims, I am perfectly capable of assisting with aid but I am choosing not to because God will sort it out anyway".

[NERVUN]

It's called empathy... It's generally a nice thing to have.



Seriously, you think making a statement of empathy of "I'm thinking of you/praying for you" equates to "Doesn't do anything else"? Screw that. Not only that, being remembered does have an effect on those in the disaster zone. To bring up Japan (My home), yes, the aid helped, it was thankfully acknowledged (and still is), but the expressions of sympathy, even Lady Gaga's "Pray for Japan" also helped to remind those in the zone that they aren't alone, they are remembered, their suffering understood.

Two years on, many of them wonder if people still do.

I'm talking about people who say things like "I am praying for the victims, I am perfectly capable of assisting with aid but I am choosing not to because God will sort it out anyway".

And these people are...?

[America Resurgent]

It is actually counterproductive.
Doing something with no real effect like wearing a ribbon, or in this case praying, makes you feel like you don't need to do as much actual stuff.

Your article doesn't actually say that, only that the increased awareness hasn't actually led to an increase in actual stuff.

Further proving that media effects on society are pretty minimal, I might add.

[Regnum Dominae]

I'm talking about people who say things like "I am praying for the victims, I am perfectly capable of assisting with aid but I am choosing not to because God will sort it out anyway".

And these people are...?

In America especially, a lot more than you might think.

[Tlaceceyaya]

It is actually counterproductive.
Doing something with no real effect like wearing a ribbon, or in this case praying, makes you feel like you don't need to do as much actual stuff.

Your article doesn't actually say that, only that the increased awareness hasn't actually led to an increase in actual stuff.

Further proving that media effects on society are pretty minimal, I might add.

And there’s also behavioral economics research indicating that people who buy a “good” product feel licensed to cut back on doing good in other ways. These effects can include anything from giving less to charity or mentally justifying doing things that one shouldn’t. That would mean cause marketing isn’t actually positive at all.

[The Truth and Light]

Of course prayer doesn't achieve anything, but I keep my mouth shut because I'm not an asshole.

[YellowApple]

And these people are...?

In America especially, a lot more than you might think.

I hate to do this, but...

^{[citation needed]}

[The Truth and Light]

In America especially, a lot more than you might think.

I hate to do this, but...

^{[citation needed]}

I can vouch for what he's saying, I see a lot of statuses on Facebook talking about praying for the victims.

[NERVUN]

And these people are...?

In America especially, a lot more than you might think.

Then I'm sure you can link me to them. And point out just how that excuse means anything.

[NERVUN]

I hate to do this, but...

^{[citation needed]}

I can vouch for what he's saying, I see a lot of statuses on Facebook talking about praying for the victims.

Do they say "I am praying for the victims, I am perfectly capable of assisting with aid but I am choosing not to because God will sort it out anyway"?

[Chinese Regions]

Is this a "prayer doesn't work" thread? As always it's thought that counts, it's just another expression of grief just like "sorry for your loss" is not that different, "oh my god" doesn't mean you believe in god, it just means you are shocked.

[The Truth and Light]

I can vouch for what he's saying, I see a lot of statuses on Facebook talking about praying for the victims.

Do they say "I am praying for the victims, I am perfectly capable of assisting with aid but I am choosing not to because God will sort it out anyway"?

No, it's perfectly harmless, polite social scripts like, "My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims."

It's part of our culture, why is it such a big deal to some people?

[America Resurgent]

And there’s also behavioral economics research indicating that people who buy a “good” product feel licensed to cut back on doing good in other ways. These effects can include anything from giving less to charity or mentally justifying doing things that one shouldn’t. That would mean cause marketing isn’t actually positive at all.

It could still be neutral, though, as some parts of raised awareness might yet be beneficial...


As for prayer, though, there are perfectly atheist equivalents.

[The Broken Imperial Sector]

I live in Massachusetts about a mile from Boston and I don't pray because it does nothing for the victims or their families

Your just so edgy.

[Regnum Dominae]

I can vouch for what he's saying, I see a lot of statuses on Facebook talking about praying for the victims.

Do they say "I am praying for the victims, I am perfectly capable of assisting with aid but I am choosing not to because God will sort it out anyway"?

Not in the exact words you used, but I fairly commonly hear people say "There's no need for aid donations. God is on the side of the victims, and He will sort things out".

[Curiosityness]

If you go with option one then your probably going to get things done. But if you choose option two over one then your not going to get a whole lot done. Although religious people will disagree, that's just my opinion

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

I try to do both options 1 and 2. Try to tangibly help as in donate foot or relief to the people in need and I do keep them in my thoughts.

This, generally. Sadly, I'm broke.

I never say ''I'll pray for you'' because 1) I don't pray and, 2) you never know if you can offend someone with it. So I tell them I will keep them in my thought while also trying to help in some other way.

[The Truth and Light]

Do they say "I am praying for the victims, I am perfectly capable of assisting with aid but I am choosing not to because God will sort it out anyway"?

Not in the exact words you used, but I fairly commonly hear people say "There's no need for aid donations. God is on the side of the victims, and He will sort things out".

Now that I've never heard and I would venture to say that is not common enough to be a problem.

[NERVUN]

Do they say "I am praying for the victims, I am perfectly capable of assisting with aid but I am choosing not to because God will sort it out anyway"?

No, it's perfectly harmless, polite social scripts like, "My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims."

It's part of our culture, why is it such a big deal to some people?

I have no idea, but apparently this thread is about people who state they are going to be praying for the victims instead of doing something because God will sort it out.

Only we don't know who these people are, if we should care about them, or if it can be shown that if for some reason there wasn't religion around they would have actually done something (Something being a bit vague here honestly, I'm not exactly too sure what that something we need to do is given the scale of the attack and the number effected by it).

[Esselman]

I think saying they are in your prayers sends a message emotionally over physically which can be just as great for a victim to know someone out there cares and is paying attention

[Regnum Dominae]

I think saying they are in your prayers sends a message emotionally over physically which can be just as great for a victim to know someone out there cares and is paying attention

Wrong.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/31/healt ... d=all&_r=0

[Chinese Regions]

Do they say "I am praying for the victims, I am perfectly capable of assisting with aid but I am choosing not to because God will sort it out anyway"?

Not in the exact words you used, but I fairly commonly hear people say "There's no need for aid donations. God is on the side of the victims, and He will sort things out".

Who says something like that, and besides that's not the same thing, related but not the same. People use "I'll pray for you" as a common expression regardless of whether they believe in Yahweh or not.