a question for non-Christians

Hmmm, I am a fence sitter on this one, so this probably won't be helpful. However, I would feel flattered and reassured - not least because the person would be thinking about me at a later point IYSWIM.

I just think that is nice they care enough to talk to their deity about me. I don't see anything more sinister in it really, people do what they can and for some that is praying.

ETA: Must learn to read better, I would be a little unsettled if a medical professional said it to me.

I'm an athiest. Plenty of my friends and family have said that to me, and I think that it is nice that they are telling me in their strongest possible terms that they are thinking of me. If a health professional said that to me I would think that I was essentially fcuked and that I might be about to die. Completely innappropriate.

I'd think "$hit is it that bad". For me offering prayers is like a last resort, sort of when all else conventional has failed.

I am agnostic, but would just treat that as 'I'll be thinking of you' - just something to say they care really

Exactly WSS

I'd think 'crikey, how ill AM I?'

L
xx

I'd think this too (unless I know the GP or details about their faith) and I AM a Christian ?

WSS also. Very unprofessional in those circumstances I think.

Mmm, interesting. I feel similar. If a friend said it to me, I'd take it as a compliment. If it was said to me by a nurse or doctor, out of the blue, I'd also think "I'm fooked" ?

I agree with the others, I think I'd panic.

I am a Christian and to be honest, unless it was a friend or someone I knew, I would prefer a professionaly not to pray for me as I don't think it's their 'place' to do so. I'm on the prayer list at my mum's church and that's absolutely fine, I would just be uncomfortable about someone in that capacity offering their prayers.

Actually, it depends who it was. If I was hospital-ill and it was a doctor, I'd be terrified. If I had something that wasn't something simple like a broken leg and a kindly nurse said it as she tucked me ill*, then I'd just take it as 'hope you get better soon'. If I was having something like fertility problems where they haven't found anything, then I'd take it nicely too.

*I realise that this probably shows that i've never really been in hospital.

This has happened to me before, and it does'nt bother me at all. The person in question could'nt help but see the necklace round my neck. I just thought that it was nice. As long as it was'nt said or meant maliciously, why does it matter?.

Well it is not the sort of statement that could be said maliciously, but it matters precisely because of what a lot of people would infer from it. You go to see a medical for medical help, not spiritiual assistance. Or at least I don't.

Wouldn't really bother me if a layperson (for want of a better word) said it to me - and if it wasn't to do with my beliefs i.e. Goodness you're a Pagan? I'll pray for you then.

I think I might be a bit uncomfortable if a doctor said it to me but I can't really put my finger on why - maybe its because in the first instance I'd wonder what on earth was wrong with me ?

The necklace, presumably, being a cross - so for you it's entirely appropriate, yes? ?

That's why I asked for non-Christians' views on it. I wondered if I was alone in finding it a bit odd.

I took it to mean a different necklace actually. I always have pentograms clearly on view - in my ears and on my wrist and sometimes around my neck.

I'm an atheist and if a doctor said that to me i'd be thinking 'Don't waste your time praying, just work out how to fix me!'

So what if they asked "Would you mind if I prayed for you?" would that be acceptable as you get to say no?

I find it a bit condescending. I'm not sure that's quite the right word, but I'm not sure I'm entirely happy with people I don't know telling me they're going to pray for me. It feels a bit invasive - and htat's coming from a Christian. Oddly I don't mind the fact that they are praying for me but the fact that they need to tell me they are. It makes me feel uncomfortable in the same way that overtly public acts of charity do - the giving to charity is fine but it should be done quietly not with a fanfare and a big "look at me"

Hmm. I quite often 'dedicate' my yoga practice to someone / something / a situation. I guess it's similar to praying. it's my way of sending love to someone. i would hate to think people found that condescending or in some way demeaning.

in asnwer to the OP i would be flattered that they cared so much about me to put me in their prayers. unless, as others have said, it was a doctor in which case i'd be freaking out ?

I wouldn't have a problem with that, as you could either say no, or say something like "well, I'm not a believer - do you think it'll still work? ?"

I think that's lovely and as a friend, I would be really touched if you offered to dedicate your practice to me but if you were my consultant and you offered, I might think 'okaaaaaaaay' ?

I would prefer that actually. I wouldn't necessarily say no (again depending on circumstances) but it would make me feel better about excepting if you like. That the person was taking into consideration whether I want them to pray for me rather than them just assuming they are able to make changes to me by their power of prayer which is quite an arrogant thing I think

Yes it was a pentogram. Sorry should have been clearer! ?

Sorry! ?

I wouldn't say it to a patient and I'd feel very uncomfortable with someone saying it to me from a healthcare POV.

I think it's very dangerous to bring faith (or politics!) into your relationship with patients.

Edited

I'd find it utterly unprofessional and therefore rather worrying- I think it would make me question my doctor's professional judgement and detachment generally. I'd also find it quite alarming and would assume I was a goner. I imagine these responses would be similar for Christians and non-Christians.

I wouldn't be offended as an atheist though, and I wouldn't mind at all if someone other than a healthcare professional said they would pray for me- I'd just take it as an expression of good wishes.

*Quote removed*

Gawd.... I don't (much) know about midwives registration but I imagine they have something like the GMC with a code of conduct? That must be against it surely??

<Slightly OT> I was reading in a doctor-ly newsletter about doctors who not only refuse to prescribe the morning after pill/offer contraception/get involved with TOPs (which is kind of fair enough) but also refuse to refer on to someone who can help. Apparently this is allowed (I probably should already know that), which made me furious. I know it's a contentious topic, but this makes me really angry.

Sorry do you want me to edit to remove your quote PL?

PL - wrong wrong wrong on every level. If your personal beliefs are strongly pro-life (or indeed anything that might conflict with your job) then there should be a way for you to not have to deal with ToP directly but that does not mean you are entitled to do that. No way.

R-A my understanding was that they are obliged to refer to someone who can help.