Planning on praying for victims of future disasters? Well, don’t waste your breath. CNN wants you to know about a study finding that some people just don’t want them:
Thinking of sending your "thoughts and prayers" to those affected by tragedy or a natural disaster? Not everyone wants them.
While Christians value these gestures from religious people, some atheists and agnostics want to avoid them, a new study finds. https://t.co/iiGRm5n7hk
— CNN (@CNN) September 17, 2019
Here’s how CNN’s article concludes:
Nonreligious people were willing to pay about $1.66 to avoid a prayer from a priest and more than double that price at $3.54 to avoid one from a Christian stranger.
“The last result is surprising because one might expect that atheists/agnostics would be indifferent to people praying for them — why care, if you don’t believe in the gesture?” said Thunström. “But that is not what we find — atheists and agnostics are averse to prayers, to the extent that they are willing to abstain money in order to ensure not to get a prayer from a Christian stranger.
“Hence, it is important to think about who the target person is when sending thoughts and prayers in the wake of hardship.”
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Yes, we’re sure Americans who believe in the power of prayer will take that under advisement. Or maybe they’ll just point out how dumb this article was. Actually, one doesn’t even need to believe in prayer to recognize how dumb this article was.
Imagine thinking this is news
— Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) September 17, 2019
Really? This is a story worth printing?
— Tom Raker (@tom_raker) September 17, 2019
Dear CNN, its not just Christians who value the prayers of others.
— Robert S (@RTayls72) September 17, 2019
I'm agnostic and I completely welcome those that would ever offer me their thoughts & prayers. It's a gesture of kindness that is being offered from a good place. This world has plenty of ugliness, no need to add to it by rejecting such a touch of humanity.
— Robert K Craig ????????????? (@rkcraig348) September 17, 2019
As an agnostic myself, I see "thoughts and prayers" as a gesture of good will. Christians are asking the most powerful entity they know of to look out for the people effected. To throw that back in their faces in times of crisis just seems petty.
— Snark Elf (@NastyDrow) September 17, 2019
I’m agnostic and certainly can respect someone that says they will pray for me. It’s basically you are in my thoughts. Lighten the hell (might not be real) up.
— Steve Shank (@stvschwnk) September 17, 2019
Not only does CNN think this is news, they thought it worthy of a “study”
Prayers, CNN. https://t.co/3CVAnTgsHY
— The Dank Knight ? (@capeandcowell) September 17, 2019
Lord knows CNN needs all the help they can get.
Thoughts and prayers for CNN’s ratings.
— Doug Powers (@ThePowersThatBe) September 17, 2019
Thoughts and prayers to your failing network
— ❤️ Jayvie ❤️ (@OneFineJay) September 17, 2019
Amen.