# Is it silly of me to get irritated over religious e-mail forwards? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 1, 2004, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-of-me-to-get-irritated-over-religious-e-mail-forwards/277562 "2004-12-01T20:23:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-of-me-to-get-irritated-over-religious-e-mail-forwards/277562/1 "2004-12-01T20:23:25Z")
I got this in my e-mail today: > [@E-Mail](#): > > Dear All, > > Okay, I picked seven people who I thought would DO this. I hope I chose > the right seven. Please send this back to me (You’ll see why). > > Saint Theresa is known as the Saint of the Little Ways > > - meaning she believed in doing the little things in life well and > with great love. > > She is also the patron Saint of flower growers and florists. > She is represented by roses. May everyone be blessed who receives this message. > > Theresa’s Prayer cannot be deleted. REMEMBER to make a wish before you > read the prayer. That’s all you have to do. There is nothing attached. > Just send this to seven people and let me know what happens on the > fourth day. Do not break this, please. Prayer is one of the best free > gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of reward. > > Suggestion: copy and paste rather than forward to protect email > addresses and access to e-virus. > > (Did you make a wish?) If you don’t make a wish, it > won’t come true. Last chance to make a wish! > > St. Theresa’s Prayer: > May today there be peace within. May you trust your highest power that > you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the > infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts > that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to > you… May you be content knowing you are a child of God… Let this > presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to > sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of you. > > Now, send this to 7 people within the next 5 minutes and your wish will > come true. > > And remember to send this back to me…you’ll see why I HATE these things, with a passion. I hate being asked to pray. What’s worse is this is someone at my work (I think) so I’m pretty sure they know I’m atheist. And they’re using their work e-mail to send me this. Am I being silly? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-of-me-to-get-irritated-over-religious-e-mail-forwards/277562/2 "2004-12-01T20:32:39Z")
No. I’d say, simply, “Please don’t forward these to me any more.” If they do it again, ask why they refuse to ignore your stated wishes. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-of-me-to-get-irritated-over-religious-e-mail-forwards/277562/3 "2004-12-01T20:35:41Z")
I always feel snarky doing it. Because you know, they think they’re doing you a favor. Praying for other people is OK to some people. Well, Ok, if I don’t know about it. But trying to pry your religion into their lives is not! ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-of-me-to-get-irritated-over-religious-e-mail-forwards/277562/4 "2004-12-01T20:36:44Z")
I say no too. However, the kind of people who send me email that I have a different philosophy than, usually ONLY forward junk. So, I don’t miss much by not giving them my new address. Weeds out the stuff I wouldn’t read anyway and doesn’t defeat my purpose like telling them would. Many would do it just the same, regardless of requests. ---
**Author:** ![MissDisaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7feea3/32.png) [@MissDisaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissDisaster)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-of-me-to-get-irritated-over-religious-e-mail-forwards/277562/5 "2004-12-01T20:40:32Z")
I get those kind of emails at work from time to time as well (I’m also an athiest) It does get to me, but I don’t say anything to the sender in fear I will hurt their feelings. So when I get them, I just delete them… ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheValley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@LilyoftheValley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheValley)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-of-me-to-get-irritated-over-religious-e-mail-forwards/277562/6 "2004-12-01T20:44:27Z")
Maybe it’s just me, but I’d be more irritated by the fact that someone’s conflating a religious saint with a stupid chain mail and attempting to _extort_ prayer! ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-of-me-to-get-irritated-over-religious-e-mail-forwards/277562/7 "2004-12-01T20:47:01Z")
I’m most offended by the fact that it’s Saint “Therese” (wish I could do the accent marks) of Lisieux. She had what she called her “little way” but is not known as “The Saint of the Little Ways” ?! Other than that, I would politely let them know that you are not receptive to these e-mails; it’s even easier to say when you are talking about your work e-mail. ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-of-me-to-get-irritated-over-religious-e-mail-forwards/277562/8 "2004-12-01T20:49:48Z")
> [@Elenia28](#): > > What’s worse is this is someone at my work (I think) so I’m pretty sure they know I’m atheist. And they’re using their work e-mail to send me this. I think that’s completely inappropriate. Religious glurge from a friend or family member is annoying. From a co-worker, it’s totally out of line. ---
**Author:** ![aaslatten](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f14d63/32.png) [@aaslatten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aaslatten)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-of-me-to-get-irritated-over-religious-e-mail-forwards/277562/9 "2004-12-01T21:05:25Z")
I think you should pray for them for being such jerks. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-of-me-to-get-irritated-over-religious-e-mail-forwards/277562/10 "2004-12-01T21:07:08Z")
Also, the company I work for strives really hard to be neutral. We don’t take part in the abortion debate, because we want to help ALL babies once they’re born. We stay away from religion because ALL religions have premature babies, and have babies born with brith defects. And yet - someone is forwarding me this crap. Two more things: The person didn’t put a last name. We have two of the first name in our office, but I don’t know which one, and really neither seem like they’d do it. It was from their Excite address, so I can’t tell. I don’t mind if you write me frivolous things, or send me a cute little picture of a kitten, or whatever. I don’t like agenda-driven things in the workplace. I don’t think my employer needs to know my politics, or my religion, or my personal viewpoints on anything but maybe what I had for lunch. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-of-me-to-get-irritated-over-religious-e-mail-forwards/277562/11 "2004-12-01T21:08:35Z")
I _love_ getting those things! I _live_ to rewrite them in a nasty, sarcastic manner and hit “reply all.” > [@](#): > > Dear All, > > Okay, I picked seven people who I thought deserved this. I hope I chose the right seven sonsobitches. Please don’t send this back to me (You’ll see why). > > Saint Theresa is known as the Saint of the Little Ways. > > - Meaning she had very little sense. Pretty small boobs, too. > > She is also the patron Saint of flower growers and florists. Oh, and deli managers, and those guys who sell umbrellas on Sixth Avenue. > > Theresa’s Prayer cannot be deleted. Believe me, I’ve tried. > > REMEMBER to make a wish before you read the prayer. That’s all you have to do. There is nothing attached. Just send this to the Seven Dwarves and let me know what happens on the fourth day. Everything that happens on the fourth day. Even what you have for lunch, and what’s on TV that night. > > Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. Well, that and a Fendi bag. In red. Hint, hint. > > (Did you make a wish?) If you don’t make a wish, it won’t come true. Last chance to make a wish! I mean it. Bitch. > > St. Theresa’s Prayer: May today there be peace within. May you trust your highest power that you are exactly where you are meant to be. And on time—like I have an hour to wait for you to get here? May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the crappy ones to Aunt Syl, who will never know the difference. Allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, and play the bagpipes at three in the morning. > > Now, send this to 7 people within the next 5 minutes and your wish will come true. You will have 7 fewer friends. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-of-me-to-get-irritated-over-religious-e-mail-forwards/277562/12 "2004-12-01T21:14:12Z")
I’ve got \*\*Eve \*\* on my side! I am now clad in the Armor of Righteousness and will never doubt again! Thanks, **Eve**! ---
**Author:** ![Strainger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/strainger/32/244_2.png) [@Strainger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strainger)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-of-me-to-get-irritated-over-religious-e-mail-forwards/277562/13 "2004-12-01T21:16:26Z")
Tell here you’re a devout Protestant and that you consider prayer to saints to be idol worship. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-of-me-to-get-irritated-over-religious-e-mail-forwards/277562/14 "2004-12-01T21:35:20Z")
**Eve** , can I adopt you? I mean, you’re older than I am and it’s not like I can take care of anybody, I just think we should be related somehow. Anyway, **Elenia** , it’s not silly to get irritated by this crap. There’s a reason this stuff is called “glurge” instead of “a good use of your time” or “wonderful happy way-to-go helping people-mail.” “Glurge” is the sound of bile rising in your throat as you read yet another stupid e-mail from an idiot you’d like to throttle while screaming “Where’s Jesus now, punk!” They keep pushing us, don’t they? One of these days… ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-of-me-to-get-irritated-over-religious-e-mail-forwards/277562/15 "2004-12-01T21:57:38Z")
Thanks, everyone. I found out who it was, and needless to say, it shocked me. I mean, I know she’s Catholic, but I have never felt the need to hide my atheism in the office (thankfully). And even if I was religious, I don’t believe in worshiping saints - they’re just people, anyway. (Don’t get me started on Mother Teresa. I’m Indian after all, and when I think of the damage she did to us with her no-condom policy…grrrr) ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-of-me-to-get-irritated-over-religious-e-mail-forwards/277562/16 "2004-12-02T00:45:19Z")
I’m pretty devoutly Catholic. Still, I don’t like glurge sent to me. I made mention of the fact that I thought they were inappropriate during a company-wide meeting. At my personal e addy, the only person who sends me religious stuff is my friend’s mother, who happens to be an atheist. Still, she insists on sending every urban legend and glurge she comes across. My friend told her I’m religious, so I guess she thinks it’s what I want. She’s wrong, but it’s easier to delete it than ask her to stop. StG ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-of-me-to-get-irritated-over-religious-e-mail-forwards/277562/17 "2004-12-02T01:02:12Z")
I get those things all the time, and really get annoyed when they imply some fate worse than death will happen if I do not annoy several of my friends and forward it on to them as well. Plus, it is even worse when some AOL idiot forwards the email as it is now attached to 193 other forwarded emails and you have to scroll down a city block to get to the damned holy chain mail. I tried to tell people to stop sending that crap - one friend didn’t speak to me for about a year while she sulked over that email. But now I just delete them. Now if I could just find a way to stop the European friends I have from sending those godawful Hallmark E-greeting cards… ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-of-me-to-get-irritated-over-religious-e-mail-forwards/277562/18 "2004-12-02T01:43:35Z")
I think Jesus would get irritated over an e-mail like that. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-of-me-to-get-irritated-over-religious-e-mail-forwards/277562/19 "2004-12-02T03:24:35Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > I tried to tell people to stop sending that crap - one friend didn’t speak to me for about a year while she sulked over that email. > > But now I just delete them. I tells ya, just make vicious fun of them and hit “reply all.” Problem solved. ---
**Author:** ![Eureka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/74df32/32.png) [@Eureka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eureka)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-of-me-to-get-irritated-over-religious-e-mail-forwards/277562/20 "2004-12-02T03:26:24Z")
I don’t think it is silly to get irritated, but I think it is silly to think that your being atheist has anything to do with your right to be irritated by such wastes of time. I used to send a bunch of stuff (not usually quite that glurg-y) to a mailing list of members of a Christian group I belonged to. Then one day I sent e-mail asking if anyone actually liked getting “devotional fluff”. The unanimous response was “no”. The funny thing is that my primary source of such stuff quit sending so much to me voluntarily within a couple of months of that. Having said that, if you have reason to believe that a particular person _does_ send it to you because of your atheism, you have a right to be irritated by it on the grounds of being an atheist. I just think that people who probably do share the religious beliefs of the sender and the creator have a right to be irritated due to the time-wasting and general uselessness even from a spiritual point of view of most such stuff. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-silly-of-me-to-get-irritated-over-religious-e-mail-forwards/277562.md?page=2)