# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/41 "2003-06-19T13:50:44Z")
Would it be OK for an atheist to keep her fingers crossed? Remember, a _lot_ of tumors turn out to be harmless and benign. ---
**Author:** ![Gorgon\_Heap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f475e1/32.png) [@Gorgon\_Heap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgon_Heap)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/42 "2003-06-19T14:01:41Z")
One of the best parts of the SDMB community is theer is never any hesitation when there is a need for well-wishing. The people here are so wonderful, it truly makes me proud to be a part of it. I used this when I was leaving to have spine surgery, just so I knew there would be folks out there thinking, “I wonder how Gorgon is doing. I hope his surgery goes well.” It was comforting. The same goes to your sister and family, and to everyone else out there who are going through some tough times. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/43 "2003-06-19T14:11:33Z")
**gobear** I am including your sister in my prayers, and your whole family as well. Take care; I’ll be thinking of you. ---
**Author:** ![Elza\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Elza\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elza_B)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/44 "2003-06-19T14:29:26Z")
You’re a good egg, **gobear**. Keeping your sister in my thoughts and prayers. Ava ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/45 "2003-06-19T14:31:46Z")
You’ve got it, gobear. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/46 "2003-06-19T17:18:55Z")
gobear, I’ll ask the Sisters of St. Joseph to pray for your sister. ---
**Author:** ![carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de0a6/32.png) [@carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrot)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/47 "2003-06-19T17:39:32Z")
I don’t pray either, but tell your sister that the carrot household is thinking of her. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Omorka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/50afbb/32.png) [@Omorka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omorka)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/48 "2003-06-19T18:44:19Z")
Good vibes sent for your sister. ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/49 "2003-06-19T18:54:13Z")
Message passed to my praying friends, as well. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/50 "2003-06-19T18:58:46Z")
Another **gofamily** supporter. Prayers sent from me and the SO. Well wishes all around. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/51 "2003-06-19T19:06:04Z")
Hrm. Unitarian Universalist here. Praying is… optional. 🙂 Happy thoughts? Positive energy? Good energy? Fingers crossed? Take your pick. How about a nice bundt cake? Esprix ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/52 "2003-06-19T19:39:25Z")
Thank you again. I’m sending the link to this page to my mother and sister so they can read it. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/53 "2003-06-19T22:31:19Z")
That should have been “good _karma_.” Oy. Esprix ---
**Author:** ![Parrothead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/59ef9b/32.png) [@Parrothead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Parrothead)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/54 "2003-06-19T23:03:31Z")
Your sister will be in my prayers. As will your mother. Give them my best. It’s never hypocritical to make a request like this, no matter what your beliefs. Actually, it probably took a lot of guts to make it. I can’t really think of **why** I thought this quote was applicable, but I thought of it anyway… I promise it isn’t meant to evangelize, or to trivialize your beliefs. It’s just my favorite quote from the book. > [@](#): > > **From Stephen King’s _The Stand_** > “What’s he say?” Abagail asked. > > “He says…” Ralph cleared his throat; the feather in his hat jiggled. “He says that he don’t believe in God.” The message relayed, he looked unhappily at his shoes and waited for the explosion. > > But she only chuckled, got up, and walked across to Nick. She took one of his hands and patted it. “Bless you, Nick, but that don’t matter. _He_ believes in _you_.” ---
**Author:** ![Scotticher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Scotticher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scotticher)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/55 "2003-06-20T02:03:05Z")
Honey, there is nothing hypocritical at ALL…in any way, shape or form, in asking for support. Your mom and sister believe in prayer…you don’t. So what? People who love you give the best kind of support they can. Mine will be in the form of prayer, and I have also asked for prayer for sis on the prayer chain at my church. None of us CARE that you don’t believe. WE DO. And we will do what we can. And so do the rest of the responders to this thread. You are amply supported by concern\>love\>positve thoughts\>prayer. It’s ALL GOOD! My Love, Cheri ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/56 "2003-06-20T02:23:02Z")
What **Scotticher** said – doubled and redoubled. We all love you, old **'bear** , and care about who you care for. And it doesn’t matter whether you believe in God – it’s whether God is there to listen, and act. Those of us who believe He is, will ask in your behalf. And the God we believe in, isn’t the sort of egocentric joker who only listens to people who kiss His Almighty Behind – He loves everybody, and wants them to believe in Him because He knows it’s healthier for them.\* You don’t need to believe in Him. Because He believes in you. - Please don’t be dissuaded from this by the obvious examples to the contrary; they seem to have Him confused with the Almighty Bureaucrat, who cares not whether the world collapses so long as you complete Form 7419 (e)(3) completely. In triplicate. Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle made the A.B. a minor demon in Hell, responsible for the torture of humans who made it a point to do that to their fellow men. I agree. ---
**Author:** ![lorinada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5e925/32.png) [@lorinada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorinada)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/57 "2003-06-20T02:38:43Z")
Since I am a Christian I am praying for your sister and your family. But I’m hoping the good thoughts I am sending your way will help, too. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Griffin-Kentzel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_griffin-kentzel/32/14787_2.png) [@Larry\_Griffin-Kentzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Griffin-Kentzel)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/58 "2003-06-20T03:25:19Z")
All the best to your sister, **gobear**. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/59 "2003-06-20T03:36:25Z")
**gobear** , on rereading and additional thought, it appears that my last post (about three up from this one) may sound too much like evangelizing you – please don’t take it that way; it’s merely my statement of what I believe, intended to back up what others have said about it not being hypocritical to ask for prayers. {{gobear}} ---
**Author:** ![3trew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/13edae/32.png) [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795/60 "2003-06-20T06:36:22Z")
My thoughts are with you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-act-of-gross-hypocrisy-prayer-solicitation/182795.md?page=4)