# An Act of Gross Hypocrisy (prayer solicitation) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 18, 2003, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795 "2003-06-18T22:00:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/1 "2003-06-18T22:00:22Z")
As anyone here who reads the Pit knows, I’m an atheist. My mother and sisters, however, are believers, and I’m doing this on their behalves. My younger sister has been having excessively painful migraines for the past few months, although her MD could find nothing worng. Last night my mother called me to tell me that my sister had had an MRI, and the consulting neurologist discovered that she has a tumor in the space betwen the two hemispheres of the brain. Because the location gives the tumor space to grow, the doctors are going to watch it to see if it grows larger, and that will determine their course of action afterwards. So, because my mom wanted me to have people pray for my sister, I would be very grateful if you would keep her in your prayers. This is extremely hypocritical, I know, but it’s for my sister and mother’s peace of mind. I want to tell them that there are people praying and I never lie to my family. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/2 "2003-06-18T22:22:41Z")
Sending warm thoughts your way. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/3 "2003-06-18T22:33:40Z")
In this [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=191315), the OP is complaining about the Chicago Board of Education. Did all of the people bitching at me pop into that thread and upbraid the OP for condemning the entire Chicago school system? ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/4 "2003-06-18T22:35:19Z")
Sorry, wrong thread. That was for the Pit. My apologies. Thanks, **Khadaji**. ---
**Author:** ![FisherQueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58f4c7/32.png) [@FisherQueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FisherQueen)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/5 "2003-06-18T22:43:35Z")
Gobear, I’ll be happy to pray for your sister. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/6 "2003-06-18T22:51:17Z")
I’ll be glad to say a prayer on your sister’s behalf, Gobear. I’ve read that there are allegedly scientific studies showing that even prayers by complete strangers work, so even if you don’t believe in a deity, maybe you can believe in the power of people to affect each others’ lives. In any case, I hope all turns out for the best for your sister! ---
**Author:** ![Padmaraga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f07891/32.png) [@Padmaraga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padmaraga)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/7 "2003-06-18T22:53:33Z")
Gobear, I just finished a prayer for your sister also, and will do my best to continue to remember her in my prayers. Please keep us updated on her condition. ---
**Author:** ![Adoptamom\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Adoptamom\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Adoptamom_II)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/8 "2003-06-18T23:01:51Z")
Prayers and support offered. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/9 "2003-06-18T23:01:57Z")
We’ll pray. Let them know that there are probably hundreds of people praying, who care about you, and by extension about your family. And you’ve never met most of them, even :). ---
**Author:** ![Slainte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Slainte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slainte)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/10 "2003-06-18T23:10:07Z")
**gobear** , I’m including your sister in my Positive Vibes/Good Thoughts/Prayers. [sub]PS - I don’t think this is hypocritical, I think it’s someone doing what they can to try to ease a loved one’s worries. Your intent is sincere and that’s what really matters.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![MrTuffPaws](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@MrTuffPaws](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrTuffPaws)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/11 "2003-06-18T23:10:34Z")
No prayers from me. I do however wish your sister and your family the best of luck in the coming future. Cancer is horrible, but people beat it daily. Also, make sure your family stays in its senses. What ever you do, don’t drop modern medicine for faith. You only hear about the ones with the miraculous recoveries, the others, almost everyone else, just die. ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/12 "2003-06-18T23:17:24Z")
**gobear** , I’m sending good vibes to your sister. I’m an atheist as well, but I consider good thoughts to be the atheist’s equivalent of a prayer. I hope all goes well for your sister and that she feels better soon, and hope the doctors are able to find an effective course of treatment for her. FWIW, I don’t consider you hypocritical, either; when I was going through a health scare recently, I asked for good vibes from people here, and I know some were in the form of prayer, as well as just general good thoughts. Good Luck to your sister, to you, and the rest of your family in the days ahead. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/13 "2003-06-18T23:26:12Z")
Thank you for all the prayers and good thoughts. I am defiinitely passing them on. ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/14 "2003-06-18T23:29:21Z")
There’s nothing hypocritical about asking for prayers, even if you’re an atheist. I’ve done the same thing in this forum and I’m an agnostic. I hope all goes well for your sister. I’m sending good vibes in her direction right now. ---
**Author:** ![Neidhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Neidhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neidhart)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/15 "2003-06-18T23:46:23Z")
I’m sending good thoughts her way! ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/16 "2003-06-18T23:59:52Z")
**Gobear** , you’ve been in my prayers (and not, precisely, for your conversion – just as a good man who’s been victimized by my co-religionists). I’ll be more than happy to pray for your sister’s health and healing, for strength and wisdom for the physicians who will help her, and for strength, wisdom, and peace of mind for you and your mother in the days to come. And send along a hug from me {{gomother}} {{gosister}} and take one for yourself – even if you don’t want me to hug you! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/17 "2003-06-19T00:04:17Z")
My wife and her church will be praying for your sister, **Gobear**. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/18 "2003-06-19T00:13:09Z")
**Gobear** , that was incredibly sweet of you to post. Thanks for thinking of your sister and putting her needs ahead of your beliefs. I join with the SDMB community in wishing her only the best. You’re no hypocrite. You are a thoughtful, caring person. Quasimodem ---
**Author:** ![kevja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aeb1de/32.png) [@kevja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevja)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/19 "2003-06-19T00:39:49Z")
What **Quasimodem** said. Best wishes to your sister. Hope she’s better soon. And hang tough in the pit, bud. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/20 "2003-06-19T01:12:50Z")
I’m so sorry to hear about your sister, **gobear**. I’ll keep her in my prayers. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795.md?page=2)