"I'll pray for you" said in a sanctimonious way to you, How do you react?

[Fuzz]

On another board I frequent someone posted what God's view of Government was and of course it was pro McCain bullshit. I responded with I never trust someone who say they know what God wants or thinks regarding governments because it usually leads to something like the Taliban.

Well, it went downhill fast from there. There's about 90 posts right now, I said I'm out for now, but I may go back later. Who am I kidding, I'll be back. ;)

Someone said they would pray for me, I told them no thanks and to save their time and energy. They came back with "It's my right to pray for who I want."

So. I responded with:

Saying 'I'll pray for you' is like saying 'I'll think of you when I masturbate'. I don't need to hear about your private, self indulgent moments.

Over the top?

[The Magistrate]

1. No More Unreasonable That What You Replied To, Sir

[crikkett]

2. If you had accepted their statement with a 'thank you' you would have given

the fundie a graceful, face-saving out. On edit, I like response #6, downthread.

But instead you went all troll-face on him. You were an ass, just as bad as the people you were arguing with.

[zanne]

67. "And I'll talk to Santa Claus for YOU"! nt

[HereSince1628]

3. Over the top? It sorta depends on where the undies were positioned

when you pissed all over that person. :rofl:

[WritersBlock]

4. I usually say, "Don't threaten me with your prayers." Because they are saying it as a threat.

But I may use your response sometime :D

[gkhouston]

18. Yeah, they mean it as a threat. But either you're a religious person or you're not.

If you're not a religious person, you're not likely to believe in the efficacy of prayer, so who cares? And if you are religious, you're smart enough to realize hateful shit like that isn't going to get any sort of traction with a real divinity, so again, who cares? Let 'em waste their self-important time making themselves ill by thinking hateful "prayers".

[DangerDave921]

5. depends on context

If I tell a coworker that my wife has pneumonia and she responds with, "I'll pray for you" then I would take it as a kind gesture, i.e., a term to convey well-wishes.

If, however, I told a coworker that I loved tequilla and gambling and she responded with, "I'll pray for you" then it would strike me as a negative, i.e., trying to get me to change my ways.

In neither event is it the same as telling someone I'll think about you when I masturbate. That's just creepy.

[Sanity Claws]

6. "Be sure to include yourself in your prayers."

"You might try praying that your heart opens and you love everyone, as Jesus said."

[Ishoutandscream2]

7. Good answer. And it is polite, too

[ipfilter]

8. Saying "I'll pray for you"

is sort of like invoking Godwin's Law.

"As a Christian political discussion grows longer, the probability someone will say "I'll pray for you" approaches one."

[Poll_Blind]

9. "If you spent as much time LISTENING to what I'm actually saying...

...as you do praying for people you blindly shut your mind to the ideas of, you'd have more time for prayers for those who really need it."

PB

[Cronus Protagonist]

10. "Cool! When you pray to Him, does the Devil ever answer your prayers?"

lol

[Arugula Latte]

11. "I'll think of you when I masturbate." Bwaaa!

:rofl:

I can't stand these self-righteous religious people who think everyone is eager for them to put a word in for them to the invisible non-existent supernatural deity.

[Cronus Protagonist]

14. hehe... I may use that one myself :P

[GirlieQ]

25. What do you do when your mother says it?

Cause dude, that's just creepy.






/And I haven't found an appropriate response for when my mother says it to me... and she knows that I'm an atheist.

[Arugula Latte]

33. Hmmm...Yeah, that's a problem.

:blush:

Maybe just say in a Sarah Palin voice: "Thanks, but no thanks!"

[rebel with a cause]

59. To your mother, you say thank you.

and if you want to be snarky, you say 'thank you for caring enough about me to waste your time in that manner'. ;)

But since she is your mother and probably loves you more than she loves herself, I would just say 'thank you'.

[GirlieQ]

76. Nah, she does it to be snarky.

I used to be able to shove my evil premarital sex life in her face, but now I went and got married (although she doesn't really recognize it as a marriage, since we're not religious and there wasn't a pastor) and it's not as effective.

I've always tried to be civil about the religous thingy, but last week when she was saying that young people who enjoy the nightlife shouldn't be allowed to vote, I couldn't keep in a comment about how she hears voices and has an invisible friend so maybe she shouldn't either. I still can't believe I said that.



Edit: Maybe I'll use the 'please pray in tongues' like Lefthander suggested. Ma is a huge Palin fan, afterall...

[rebel with a cause]

86. I am a mom of adult children so I was giving her the benefit of a doubt.

But if she is being snarky and is a fan of palin, then let her have it. Lefthanded suggestion is good. If you get really angry, you could tell her not to waste her time because God sent you a message that he was through listening to her petty requests and had shut down her prayer line.

Just to let you know how much I understand you, even if I am not quite an atheist. My father was a Baptist minister (Freewill) so you can imagine how it was with him when I too lived 'in sin'. And then there were other things in my life that never suited him, but the way I looked at it, he didn't live up to my expectations either. I should be guilty about saying the following. but it is the truth when I say his death actually set me free to be my own person. I no longer had to worry that what I did would affect him and his reputation. In fact it set me free from most of my family, which was really a blessing. Long story, but not much different from a lot of others.

About her remark concerning young people, perhaps you should remind her what Jesus said about throwing stones, and that she lives in a glass house also. ;) I was born a smart aleck, so there is not much telling what I would tell her, so you have my blessings in what ever you say to her. :hug:

[Leftist Agitator]

112. Tell her to go fuck herself.

Religious crazies need to be shunned, family or not.

[Ignis]

83. I'm SOOOO stealing that line!

I've always wanted a good response to a saccharin "I'll pray for you," and now I have it!

PURE. WIN. :patriot:

[Iggo]

131. Nice!.

I am sooooooo going to say that next time someone says I'll pray for you. (Thankfully, my mom would never say it, one of my sisters is a Unitarian and the other's a who-the-fuck-knows because she believes religion should be private.)

Oh man...I can't wait!

[LeftHander]

12. "In tounges please. I really think that is cool."

And bleed some goats too.

[dhpgetsit]

13. They are probably sincere but misguided.

I suggest they find out what Jesus said about pride and about judging others. They are lacking humility.

And remember that Jesus was a radical liberal.

[TexasObserver]

15. "And I will pray for YOU."

Dear Lord,

Please help (his name here) stop being a douche nozzle.

Your Pal,

Texas Observer

[TlalocW]

16. Here's your reply

No, I'll pray... FOR YOU!!!

TlalocW

[paparush]

17. "Religion is for people afraid of going to hell. Spirituality is for people who've already been."

Them: "I'll pray for you."
Me: "If that will make you feel better..go right ahead."

[InvisibleTouch]

129. Now THAT is good - and so true! n/t

[ehrnst]

19. "Thank you. And I will ask the Goddess to bless you." (NT)

[wtmusic]

20. And I'll sacrifice a virgin on a granite altar for you nt

[shadowknows69]

21. I thank people, unless It's malicious in some way

Like, "I'll pray for you you dirty sinner.", that would probably either set me off on them or just get me laughing uncontrollably. I usually take it as a kindness if it's given in that spirit. I've told people the same, although it's primarily in the case of some tragedy.

[GodlessBiker]

22. And I'll fuck a virgin for you.

[GirlieQ]

23. I wish I could remember who did this...

Maybe it was on Pharyngula, but it was a short video or something about what 'I'll pray for you' really means. It's a somewhat-socially acceptable way to say 'FU and DIAF!'

I believe that it was determined that the proper response, after decoding the meaning, was 'I'll pray for your mother.'

[GOPNotForMe]

30. Like how in the South, "Bless your/his/her heart" is code for "F*** you/him/her" nt

[Gemini Cat]

48. I never understood that "bless your heart" statement until recently.

Various people from the south have been merrily blessing my heart for years and years and I never got it. I guess it was a secret that everybody knew but me!!!!!!

[raccoon]

66. IMO, it means, "You stupid idiot, " in the South. nt

[akwapez]

81. Bless your/his/her heart is usually more of a sympathetic statement

While, I don't use the phrase, I hear it often and I have never heard it used in the same context as "I'll pray for you". It is something one says when someone is sick, going through a hard time, etc.

[GOPNotForMe]

82. I'm not sure where you live but it probably has different meanings regionally.

It certainly can literally mean what it says, but in the South, it's a known code for "go to hell" or "f*** you" or any of those mean statements. Check out urban dictionary on it. It's actually quite funny!

[akwapez]

85. Well I'm in Tennessee, I think that's still the south. :)

Maybe its used more derogatorily in other areas or in other circles. I have spent my whole life living in the south and I just have not hear it used in that sense. It has always been in caring kind of way, its a phrase I have been hearing for 30+ years from "country" family members and it is surprising to hear that some view it this way. No big deal, just not my experience at all.

[GOPNotForMe]

87. Probably says something about the people I hang out with!

Heh.

[conscious evolution]

94. Varies with context.

The key to decoding it is the tone of voice.

If it is sachirin sweet it means you are an idiot.
If it is with an icy cold voice it means fuck off.
If a genuine tone of voice is used it is probably meant as sympathy in a good way.

[conscious evolution]

101. Here is a perfect example

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=8202041&mesg_id=8202203

Perfect example of the 'you idiot' version.
Notice the icky sweet flavor.Its strong enough to permiate the 'tubes everywhere

[akwapez]

124. Point taken n/t

[noonwitch]

24. I tell them Thank you

God is God. If God helps you because people pray for you, great. It can't hurt-God is good, and if people pray to Him and ask harm for another, it won't happen because God isn't capable of harming others.

[Dervill Crow]

58. Personally, I don't buy that.

Every pantheon has its dark side, and "harm" is subject to interpretation. When a football team prays for victory, it means loss for the other team. But that's a discussion for another board.

Even the Christian God isn't fluffy.

[Fireweed247]

26. They need to pray for themselves

I had a fundie charge me double the quoted price for insulation for my house. When I told him I couldn't pay the extra $6,000 at that time he said he'd 'pray for me'. Are they really that stupid? Then he took me to court to get his money.

[SidDithers]

27. A polite "No, thank you"...

but I might try the masturbate line next time :)

Sid

[Rob H.]

28. One response I've read on the interwebs:

"Then I'll think for both of us."

I've never had "I'll pray for you" said to me in a snarky way in real life so I'm not sure what I'd say.

[GOPNotForMe]

29. I LOVED your response! I am going to use it in the future in fact :) nt

[Dervill Crow]

31. I say, "Thank you." The ones I know don't mean to be sanctimonious.

I used to be one of "them," and I understand they don't mean to imply that they have a special "in" with God or that I'm more needful of prayers than they are. If it WERE someone implying that I need saving, I would probably reply, "And I'll light a candle for you, darling." ::::cackle::::

Actually, I have told people I would light a candle for them. They probably think I'm Catholic, which may or may not be better in their minds than Pagan. But they didn't seem offended.

It's not worth my getting my knickers in a knot if someone else thinks my religion or lack thereof is silly or wrong, but it's taken me quite a number of years to learn to not sweat the petty stuff and not pet the sweaty stuff.

:shrug:

[Solly Mack]

32. "Whatever keeps you on your knees and off the streets"

is one way I respond to the sanctimonious declarations of "I'll pray for you"...and people do use the prayer thing in a shitty way.

The sincere ones I just say "Thank you" and go about my business - though sometimes I just smile.

I will be borrowing your line. :)

[lies and propaganda]

34. fantastic reply..

sounds quite similar to something i would have popped off, cheers!

[Chovexani]

35. "Thank you. I'll pray for you, too."

Haven't you ever heard that admonition to not feed trolls?

When people say "I'll pray for you" in a sanctimonious fashion, that is exactly what they're doing--trolling you. They're looking to get a rise out of you, so that you confirm exactly what they believe; that non-Christians/Christians who don't believe the way they do are all rude/"heathens"/insert insult here not worthy of their time, and that they are in fact Better Than You. "I'll pray for you, too" or even a simple "thank you" shocks the shit out of them, because it confronts them with the notion that the "unwashed, unsaved" might not be the nasty troglodytes their pastors say we are. That they might not have anything to fear. If their feeble brains don't shatter from the cognitive dissonance, a seed of sanity might well be planted.

The people in this thread who claim to respond with snarky replies are not being nearly as clever as they think they are. They're responding exactly in the fashion the fundie expects them to, and playing right into their hands by proving their point. IOW, you're being punked and have no idea. Trust me, I was raised by fundies and was born again for a while. I know the mindset very well.

[rebel with a cause]

61. I agree, but my response is even more simple.

'I'll pray for you.' 'And I for you.'

Short and sweet. Almost Bibical sounding. It ends the engagement/argument and you have the last word. What are they going to say back to you?

[Chovexani]

80. Yup.

Really, there is no response to that. "I don't want your prayers"? :crazy:

I especially like to say it because, well, I'm a self-professed weirdo and the average fundie already has a bad impression of me just based on my appearance. I find it endlessly amusing to watch them get confused because I'm polite to them, instead of what they're expecting from the goth chick with the giant pentacle around her neck.

As the old saying goes, kill 'em with kindness.

[rebel with a cause]

91. I'll bet you do shock them you goth chick .

I am the opposite. I'm an old white woman that looks just like them and am someone who has a very religious background. Then when I open my mouth and tell them what I think, they are taken aback big time. Some in my family worry about me and mine because I no longer go to church or believe how they believe, but then none of them agree on that either now because they have all split between denominations. But I am still going to hell. :7

[Vickers]

36. "I'll sin some more so it ain't wasted."

:P

[lpbk2713]

37. "What's your track record on prayer? Did you pray for Boosh?"

Thanks. But no thanks. :eyes:

[justiceischeap]

38. I'll think of you when I masturbate - seems like a good reply. :) nt

[Indepatriot]

39. Great Stuff Fuzzy!

I'll blog for you................

[dorkulon]

40. An atheist's response.

You don't really want God to forgive me, do you? No, because if God were to forgive blasphemers like me, then what the hell would be the point of all your ritual self-denial? It would be like camping out for Springsteen tickets, only to have some jerk cut in line ahead of you at the last minute. That line-cutting son of a bitch had better get yanked out of there, or all your suffering is for naught. In fact, your whole life is a bet that I will go to hell, if you think about it.

The truth is that telling me "you'll pray for me" is just a nicer way of saying that I am evil and will go to hell. And by letting that slide, I am saying that your opinion is idiotic and I just don't care what you think. So knock yourself out.

[mike_c]

41. excellent comment, IMO....

Spot on!

[Dukkha]

42. I'll pray against you and cancel it out!

so there!

[Gwendolyn]

43. It works for me!!!

:rofl:

[aikoaiko]

44. I say, " Don't pray for me. Pray for God's will be done. And you should be scared if it is".

mo fo

[opiate69]

45. If I'm feeling particularly nasty, my response is "I'll think for you"

If not, then something along the lines of "Two hands working can do more than a thousand clasped in prayer."

[Gemini Cat]

53. "Two hands working can do more than a thousand clasped in prayer."

I like your response. Sums up the answer to the fundies very well.

[immoderate]

46. "I'll think for you," is what I usually say.

--IMM

[bobbolink]

47. I like to tell them to pray for themselves.

:evilgrin:

[Narkos]

49. Thanks. I'll cast a nice spell for you at the next Esbats

[undeterred]

50. I had a minister ask me about the details of someones marital breakup

and I said "Why do you know that?" Answer: "So I can pray more intelligently for them." My response: "God already knows the details."

[SpookyCat]

88. Ah, yes..."prayer concern"

Growing up in a Baptist church, I saw early on that "I have a prayer concern" is code for "I have really juicy and hurtful gossip I want to spread, but I'm not supposed to, so I'll couch it as we need to pray about this...tee heee"

:eyes:


As an atheist, I like very much people here who said "I'll think for you" that's wonderful.

I did once ask a street proselytizer who wouldn't leave me alone, on a particularly bad PMS day, if he wanted to see god right now...he left me alone...

[JonQ]

51. The phrase itself is harmless

and would not have warranted that response. However, once you asked them not to politely and they refused then I'd say you were entitled to say whatever you wanted in response.

What board was this?

[TahitiNut]

52. IMHO, the only valid prayer is one of gratitude and faith that all is Right with Creation.

Anyone who treats 'God' as some personal Santa Claus is, imho, very misguided theologically. Thus, if someone says they'll "pray for me" I can only respond that they're expressing gratitude for my existence -- even if they, themselves, are too ignorant to comprehend God's Infinite Wisdom. To that I say - "D'oh!"

:evilgrin:

[raccoon]

68. Well said!

"Anyone who treats 'God' as some personal Santa Claus is, imho, very misguided theologically. "

[plaintiff]

54. LOL! I love your come-ba.....uh, response.

:evilgrin:

[jeepnstein]

55. "Pray for us all."

That's how I respond. Jesus had some choice words for those of us who feel we are in a position to lay judgment on others.

Matthew 7:1-2 1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

If you think about what he's saying for a second, it becomes quite clear he's holding some to a much higher standard than others. Much like a father would be much harder on a sixteen year old for painting a big number 3 on the Mercedes than he would be on a five-year-old who simply doesn't know better yet.

[dembotoz]

56. If mccain/palin get in you are going to need more than a prayer....

[cherokeeprogressive]

57. "Thank You Very Much. Have a GREAT Day!"

[librechik]

60. "Don't bother, your TRUE god Satan already knows about me

Cuz I kicked his ass one night in Texas."

[AlCzervik]

62. it's only words on a screen.

[ThoughtCriminal]

63. Matthew 6:5

"5) And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6) But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7) And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

[stlsaxman]

113. "I'll pray for you"... "Thanks, but you might wanna do it in the front pew so God and everyone...

can see what a pompous ass you are".

[prayin4rain]

64. Nope normal response

[malaise]

65. No but my stock response is

whatever. If the person responds then I usually have loads of fun.

[busybl]

69. I just say thank you

No need to be rude. One of the problems in this country is a lack of manners. a smartass answer
isn't funny, it's rude.

[radfringe]

70. my standard response

"thank-you, and I'll sacrifice a chicken in your name... or would you prefer a virgin?"

[blogslut]

71. "Tell Jesus I said hi!"

That's what I would say. :hi:

[Lilith Velkor]

72. "You do that."

Hey, whatever keeps them off the streets.

[MurrayDelph]

73. When someone says they'll pray for me,

I just tell them, "Don't bother; you can't have me"

[Chorophyll]

74. Not over the top.

Pretty good, actually.

[rucky]

75. I'm beyond saving.

[Jed Dilligan]

77. Your prayers have no meaning and your death will be an eternal oblivion.

There is nothing to pray to, but I do hope that you come to your senses and realize this life is all you've got.

[Mad_Dem_X]

78. I'd probably just say, "Whatever."

Any time anyone's said that to me, I just sort of shrug and move on to another topic.

[Fuzz]

79. I go away for a little bit and wow. Thanks for the new suggestions!!

You guys rock!

The way it was said to me was obviously to be dismissive towards me. I can handle it when it's meant nicely, especially since my father has been an ordained minister for 45 years.

[lunatica]

84. Next time God and I speak I'll put in a good word for you too.

[TWiley]

89. Be careful with those who hear voices and talk to imaginary friends

They can be extremely dangerous. And .... they have GUNS.

[codjh9]

90. I just ignore it when someone says 'I'll pray for you', but I find it irritating unless it's coming

from a non-fundie, i.e. as when I was worried about a checkup or two (I'm a cancer survivor), and it was from a friend, relative or ex-wife. Other than that I have no use for it.

[trof]

92. I am PROUD to be the third rec for this tread. 2 more?

A woman in our neighborhood actually said that to me during the Kerry campaign.
I wish I'd had your comeback.

Also, I got into an email back and forth with our Alabama secretary of state when she was running for the office.
She is a rabid right wingnut bitch of the first order.
Her last email said "Well, I'll pray for you."
:grr:

[vanderBeth]

93. Tell them, I'll pray to Satan for you.

:evilgrin:

[SoCalDem]

95. I had a born-again friend

and I always told her.. "If I ever plan to convert, you are at the TOP of my 'who to call list', but we cannot be friends if you preach to me"....

of course when we went into Kansas City to Christmas shop, I would always ask her to "send up a good one to her pal Jesus...for a good parking place":evilgrin:

[TrogL]

96. As long as you do it in Greek, Hebrew or Aramaic

That usually throws them for a loop.

[lunatica]

97. Say sarcastically, "Go ahead, I'm sure God's waiting for you to tell him what to do."

[martymar64]

98. You shouldn't waste your time talking to fundies

Just sayin'

[fascisthunter]

99. "Do What Ya Gotta Do"

[Joe Chi Minh]

100. You should reply, "Well, as long as you beat your breast like the

repentant publican at the back of the synagogue, not daring to lift your eyes, unlike the proud Pharisee, I'm sure your prayers will be heard." And if you want to lay it on really thick, say, ".... and I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

[bridgit]

102. I'd be all, "Well bless your little ole heart for trying"

[Cleita]

103. Nuns used to say that to me all the time.

I was a handful and questioned the Catechism when my BS meter went off even at a really young age. All they would do finally is throw up their hands and say, "I will pray for you."

I'm sure if I would have used your comeback, I would have been in detention until I got to high school. LOL! :rofl:

[TBF]

104. "Bless your heart" as any texan would ... n/t

[IsItJustMe]

105. I tell people that they need to pray for themselves, Me and god are just fine.

[ColbertWatcher]

106. I just laugh at them. Kinda like what Joe Biden did to that fundy reporter. n/t

[nichomachus]

107. Two possible answers

One is: Why in the world do you want to interfere in my life when yours is so fucked up?

The second, and one I like better, is your own: I'll think of you when I masturbate.

In fact, I'm going to use that one -- probably on Sunday when the fundies invade our Gay Pride march.

[denese]

108. My personal favorite response -

Thank you! I'll sacrifice a goat for you.

[ACTION BASTARD]

109. When they say, "I'll pray for you". You say this and watch their eyes

Chisto-fascist: "I'll pray for you!"

MM: Smile and say,"Alaykum Salaam." (upon you be peace (as well). The babbling fools won't know what to say after that.

[DIKB]

110. Great minds think alike

I thought of the EXACT same response when I read the subject title, "I'll think of you when I masturbate."

Only I added the George Carlin finisher, "Only when I'm done, there'll be something to SHOW for it."

[glitch]

111. "Likewise"

they don't know who or what you are praying to so it works on a number of levels without going over the top. :evilgrin:

[NoSheep]

114. Don't bother

[indie_voter]

115. Thank you! And in return, I'll think for you! n/t

[Chulanowa]

116. There's two times they say this

The first is when you're actually having trouble with something - illness, money woes, that sort of thing. Even if you think it's silly and that actual help would be much more appreciated, it's best to just smile a little and say "thank you" - it's their way of saying "I hope things get better for you"

The second time is when they're losing an argument. It's this connotation that I usually hear. It's an insult in this context. They're saying that you're stupid and filthy, and need the intervention of their god to set you on the right path. It ties into the concept of original sin, which is the #1 reason I am not and never will be a christian, the beleif that without worship of this one god, we're all so full of evil and filth and we'll never be able to amount to anything.

Usually I simply smile and say "I'll pray for you, too" - since by this time most of 'em know I'm part of the "other" section of the religious checklist, it really makes 'em squirm, both to have the insult returned, and then wondering exactly how I'll be praying for them to my five-headed siz-armed haiy moon god or whatever they beleive I worship :D

[unblock]

117. god said to tell you please, no more fan mail. peace! love!

[jazzjunkysue]

118. Better pray for health if McCain wins and takes away your insurance.

[Doodler71]

127. I actually used this line once and told them to pray for their own health

because if McCain is elected they won't have health care. To which they replied I was a self-righteous asshole. I'm guessing they aren't familiar with the word "transference". I responded again saying "being on your knees so much makes you cranky". :rofl

[chalky]

119. "Oh, please do. But don't be too shocked when the answer you get

is the complete opposite of what you're hoping for."

[jberryhill]

120. "Leave me out of your madness" /nt

[SalmonChantedEvening]

121. It's a polite way to say "I think you are an idiot" n/t

[lonestarnot]

122. LOL WTF! Praying for mind change, is that like praying for pennies from heaven?

[Laelth]

123. LOL. That's brilliant.

But the "I'll pray for you," is, sometimes, merely an attack, the equivalent of, "Well, obviously you are either a dim-witted idiot or an agent of Satan. I pray that God will either enlighten you (if you're an idiot) or reveal himself to you and show you the error of your ways (if you're an agent of Satan)." Either way it's patronizing and condescending. It usually makes me ill.

Occasionally, though, it's meant as genuine concern and hope for your well-being. If I had just told you that I was trying a case tomorrow, and you said, "I'll pray for you," then, in a situation like that, I would assume you meant well. But in the situation you're describing, it sounds like you were attacked and you were justified in responding in kind.

The United States is a LIBERAL Country.

:dem:

-Laelth

[cynatnite]

125. "Knock yourself out".

That usually ends it. I really don't care one way or the other if someone wants to pray for me. I'm sure my mother and sister do about a million a day for my godless ways.

[Marr]

126. In that context, I do think the statement invites a rude response, yes.

It's meant as an insult, obviously.

[pitohui]

128. your answer is cute and funny and internet appropriate

i don't remember when this has happened to me on the internet, it has been awhile

in person i'm not a quick talker or debater, so when someone starts in with "i'll pray for you," i just say "thank you" and keep moving

but if it ever comes up on the internet again i'll keep your answer in mind! it's witty and it's kind of true too

[Generic Brad]

130. Not over the top

When someone says that to me, I politely thank them and then offer to put in a good word for them to Satan.:evilgrin:

[Hatchling]

132. My answer:

Please don't. I don't want you to go to hell for hypocrisy.

[Orsino]

133. "I'll think of you when I masturbate."

:rofl:

But you put your finger on the passive-aggressive nature of some "I'll pray for you" jerks. It's their attempt to tell you that they'll have the last word, in private, one-on-one with their petty little god.

[sallydallas124]

134. "And I'll pray for you"

"My God versus your God. Go my God!"

[TKolmsi]

135. I think you might have

responded in just the way the poster hoped.

Masturbation reference, yeah, probably over the top.

But come to think of it "I think of you when I masturbate" would be a solid compliment in my book! (haven't heard it much lately)