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What do you think when someone offers “thoughts and prayers” for some tragedy?

What do you think when someone offers “thoughts and prayers” for some tragedy?

  • Total voters
    47
X Factor

X Factor

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Once again, I’m not going to be able to put in every possibility, so pick the option(s) closest to what you think when someone says they’re sending thoughts and prayers for the victims of a tragedy. The options will be something like these.

I often agree with it and do the same.
It’s a nice sentiment if it’s genuine.
I just hope it’s comforting to victims.
It doesn’t bother me but it’s useless.
It’s just a way to make people feel like they’re being helpful.
It annoys me
Other

It’s multiple choice.
 
Last edited:
"It doesn’t bother me but it’s useless/pointless" ... that about sums it up for me.
 
Depends.

If commonfolk say it, it's probably to try to express sympathy, which there isn't an easy way to do. Same if politicians say it and it's a natural disaster.

But if it's a human-caused disaster, it's probably a way to avoid addressing the root problems.
 
X Factor said:
Once again, I’m not going to be able to put in every possibility, so pick the option(s) closest to what you think when someone says they’re sending thoughts and prayers for the victims of a tragedy. The options will be something like these.

I often agree with it and do the same.
It’s a nice sentiment if it’s genuine.
I just hope it’s comforting to victims.
It doesn’t bother me but it’s useless.
It’s just a way to make people feel like they’re being helpful.
It annoys me
Other

It’s multiple choice.
Click to expand...


Didn't vote, as it would be a wash - I would select all of those things to describe how I felt about "thoughts and prayers" at one time or another.
 
OlNate said:
Didn't vote, as it would be a wash - I would select all of those things to describe how I felt about "thoughts and prayers" at one time or another.
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C’mon Nate. I almost never do multiple choice polls. Take advantage of it.
 
I don't think anything about it at all.
 
Phys251 said:
Depends.

If commonfolk say it, it's probably to try to express sympathy, which there isn't an easy way to do. Same if politicians say it and it's a natural disaster.

But if it's a human-caused disaster, it's probably a way to avoid addressing the root problems.
Click to expand...

I’m seeing it expressed more often now with a disclaimer that’s something along the lines of, “I know it doesn’t help much” or “FWIW” like the person is trying to preempt some sort of condemnation for even saying it. That’s a little sad to me.
 
When a citizen says it, it is most usually genuine and heartfelt.

When a politician and NRA official mumbles it after a mass-shooting, it is a pathetic platitude.
 
Rogue Valley said:
When a citizen says it, it is most usually genuine and heartfelt.

When a politician and NRA official mumbles it after a mass-shooting, it is a pathetic platitude.
Click to expand...

Is it a platitude from all politicians or just certain politicians? ;)
 
Depends on who is saying it, and if they have the power and wherewithal to do more.

In the cases that thoughts and prayers are really the best you can do, it is a nice gesture. In cases where you can do a lot better, it's a cop out.
 
X Factor said:
Once again, I’m not going to be able to put in every possibility, so pick the option(s) closest to what you think when someone says they’re sending thoughts and prayers for the victims of a tragedy. The options will be something like these.

I often agree with it and do the same.
It’s a nice sentiment if it’s genuine.
I just hope it’s comforting to victims.
It doesn’t bother me but it’s useless.
It’s just a way to make people feel like they’re being helpful.
It annoys me
Other

It’s multiple choice.
Click to expand...

Being an atheist, I nonetheless find it a good-hearted gesture when I believe it is sincere. I certainly prefer it to the nasty sardonic responses that are made in reaction to those making the statement.
 
Felis Leo said:
Being an atheist, I nonetheless find it a good-hearted gesture when I believe it is sincere. I certainly prefer it to the nasty sardonic responses that are made in reaction to those making the statement.
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God bless you
 
Felis Leo said:
I certainly prefer it to the nasty sardonic responses that are made in reaction to those making the statement.
Click to expand...

That's usually because they think they don't mean it. It's even worse when an atheist offers thoughts and prayers.
 
Felis Leo said:
Being an atheist, I nonetheless find it a good-hearted gesture when I believe it is sincere. I certainly prefer it to the nasty sardonic responses that are made in reaction to those making the statement.
Click to expand...

What I find so sad is the assumption that those who proffer thoughts and/or prayers aren't sincere.
 
X Factor said:
Once again, I’m not going to be able to put in every possibility, so pick the option(s) closest to what you think when someone says they’re sending thoughts and prayers for the victims of a tragedy. The options will be something like these.

I often agree with it and do the same.
It’s a nice sentiment if it’s genuine.
I just hope it’s comforting to victims.
It doesn’t bother me but it’s useless.
It’s just a way to make people feel like they’re being helpful.
It annoys me
Other

It’s multiple choice.
Click to expand...

If it is sincere, which it usually is, I agree and give my best thoughts and feelings to the "prayer".

I don't care what denomination or religion... it is about caring and that is universal.
 
JMR said:
Depends on who is saying it, and if they have the power and wherewithal to do more.

In the cases that thoughts and prayers are really the best you can do, it is a nice gesture. In cases where you can do a lot better, it's a cop out.
Click to expand...

There are so many situations in which offering expressions of hope or empathy or condolence or prayers is all you can do. Yes, if a disaster hits your community, step up to help--give money, buy and deliver tarps or food, or help clean up debris. If it's tragedy of a larger scale, you can lobby your elected reps to effect change and can contribute your talents and money to doing so.

And I'm sure that everybody reading this who is sitting in judgment of those who offer "thoughts and prayers" does all that. But many of those who do step up in material ways do so quietly, and we don't know about them, so I think everybody should be given the benefit of the doubt.
 
platitude[ plat-i-tood, -tyood ]
noun
a flat, dull, or trite remark, especially one uttered as if it were fresh or profound.
 
X Factor said:
Once again, I’m not going to be able to put in every possibility, so pick the option(s) closest to what you think when someone says they’re sending thoughts and prayers for the victims of a tragedy. The options will be something like these.

I often agree with it and do the same.
It’s a nice sentiment if it’s genuine.
I just hope it’s comforting to victims.
It doesn’t bother me but it’s useless.
It’s just a way to make people feel like they’re being helpful.
It annoys me
Other

It’s multiple choice.
Click to expand...

On one hand i think it's genuine. On the other hand it annoys me as useless lip service. Like when the NRA blsmes mental health. I say lets up that funding to make sure sll Americans have their mental health taken care of. What they mean is "het used to it."
 
AProudLefty said:
That's usually because they think they don't mean it. It's even worse when an atheist offers thoughts and prayers.
Click to expand...

That is fair. Hence why I generally do not offer prayers unless asked directly by someone who knows that I am a non-believer, like saying Grace before dinner, or reciting a traditional Baha'i prayer for a solemn occasion. Not unlike some non-religious Jews who nevertheless recite passages from holy scripture during various holidays and cultural occasions.
 
X Factor said:
Once again, I’m not going to be able to put in every possibility, so pick the option(s) closest to what you think when someone says they’re sending thoughts and prayers for the victims of a tragedy. The options will be something like these.

I often agree with it and do the same.
It’s a nice sentiment if it’s genuine.
I just hope it’s comforting to victims.
It doesn’t bother me but it’s useless.
It’s just a way to make people feel like they’re being helpful.
It annoys me
Other

It’s multiple choice.
Click to expand...

It is a way for folks to feel helpful and thoughtful, even if it has no real world benefit, other than an exchange of pleasantry.

Perfectly harmless gesture that at the very least gives the one who prefers the sentiment the satisfaction of having recognized the event and not ignored it.
 
I honestly think it is an over used sentiment. Of course it's aharmless gesture...however...I sometimes wonder how many of those saying "thoughts and prayers" really do give it thought and say an actual prayer.
 
X Factor said:
Once again, I’m not going to be able to put in every possibility, so pick the option(s) closest to what you think when someone says they’re sending thoughts and prayers for the victims of a tragedy. The options will be something like these.

I often agree with it and do the same.
It’s a nice sentiment if it’s genuine.
I just hope it’s comforting to victims.
It doesn’t bother me but it’s useless.
It’s just a way to make people feel like they’re being helpful.
It annoys me
Other

It’s multiple choice.
Click to expand...

Made meaningless by reflexive repetition. It's just a euphemism for purposeful inaction at this point.
 
X Factor said:
Once again, I’m not going to be able to put in every possibility, so pick the option(s) closest to what you think when someone says they’re sending thoughts and prayers for the victims of a tragedy. The options will be something like these.

I often agree with it and do the same.
It’s a nice sentiment if it’s genuine.
I just hope it’s comforting to victims.
It doesn’t bother me but it’s useless.
It’s just a way to make people feel like they’re being helpful.
It annoys me
Other

It’s multiple choice.
Click to expand...

It is completely meaningless and annoying. It is right up there with changing your profile pic to have a flag overlay. People do meaningless things that make them feel good and pretend they are helping but they add nothing and don't actually help any situation.
 
nota bene said:
There are so many situations in which offering expressions of hope or empathy or condolence or prayers is all you can do. Yes, if a disaster hits your community, step up to help--give money, buy and deliver tarps or food, or help clean up debris. If it's tragedy of a larger scale, you can lobby your elected reps to effect change and can contribute your talents and money to doing so.

And I'm sure that everybody reading this who is sitting in judgment of those who offer "thoughts and prayers" does all that. But many of those who do step up in material ways do so quietly, and we don't know about them, so I think everybody should be given the benefit of the doubt.
Click to expand...

I would agree and would never pass judgement on my neighbors. I do however reserve the right to judge the public actions by elected officials. It seemed to me that that was the subject here as the phrase has taken on a political life.
 
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