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fracy October 21st, 2014 4:36am

"If you are an atheist and disbelieve in the supernatural, then it is incoherent to believe that 'sending good thoughts' means anything."

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ThinkAboutIt Staten Island, NY
10/22/14 8:42 am

If someone knows you are sending your positive thoughts, it is the same as letting someone know that you are praying for them, only if they are religious. It gives the person a positive state of mind.

HaidenM
10/21/14 2:07 pm

I'm an atheist and I disagree because what that figuratively means is that you're thinking about them and you hope whatever it is will be okay. It's not saying, " Omggggf I'm praying to Zeus that you'll be filled with magic joy 5ever."

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Zod Above Pugetropolis
10/21/14 1:12 pm

I am, I do, and it isn't. The phrase does not mean anything concrete or actually occurring, but it is a well understood figure of speech meaning that "I'm thinking if you, am offering my support, and am hoping the best for you." It means I care.

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moonshot More often I know nothing
10/21/14 11:48 am

I think this is just a way for some insecure atheists to try to communicate, or speak the language of theists. It mostly says the same thing as "I'll pray for you" without the actual prayer. It's just an attempt at common ground.

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moonshot More often I know nothing
10/21/14 11:50 am

As an atheist, I always just say some variation of "thinking of you" or "washing you well", never do I tell them that I am "sending thoughts". That always just sounded stupid to me.

brenstal Florida
10/21/14 10:03 am

I usually say that I'm sending good thoughts in a joking way. Like, I don't believe it does anything, but I am truly hoping for a good outcome.

susanr Colorado
10/21/14 8:56 am

Disagree, if the "sending good thoughts" is *voiced* in some way. The other person knows you're wishing them well, & that can indeed have a positive effect.

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dawl adulting
10/21/14 8:33 am

Here's an interesting article on a study done about this!
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104351710

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jvc1133 61535
10/21/14 8:05 am

There is no reason anyone's reflection of compassion should be ignored.

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kermie gaytopia
10/21/14 7:23 am

In the literal sense, yes, you cannot send thoughts. It's a kind of silly way of letting someone know you're thinking of them.

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Arananthi Literal Ninja
10/21/14 7:12 am

If you say "I'm sending good thoughts," by definition, you're doing more than sending thoughts because you said something, and that matters. If you literally just wish that something good would happen in your head, that's silly.

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dxstap Bloomington, Indiana
10/21/14 6:32 am

Saying that you are sending good thoughts just means you care. To know that others care is a good thing.

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TigerShark47 Missouri
10/21/14 5:53 am

Studies have shown that positive thinking can help cure some illnesses. Take the placebo effect, for example.

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Ereri Shingeki no Kojin
10/21/14 5:18 am

I'm not atheist I'm Christian what I learned is that God can read your thoughts

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thatguy2 We tried to warn you
10/21/14 7:03 am

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rbrown Kansas
10/21/14 11:51 am

Even without punctuation?

ButchBrewBaker Pennsyltuckey
10/21/14 4:58 am

I always thought that saying was dumb. Same with, "I'll be thinking about you." So what? That's no help at all. Lol.

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kermie gaytopia
10/21/14 7:24 am

It's called empathy. Try it sometime n

poetryk California
10/21/14 4:52 am

It means I care about you, and being cared about makes us feel good...so yes, it means something :)

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Skarface69 Retired
10/21/14 3:45 am

Atheists are constantly trying to be religious without being religious, and "sending good thoughts" is an example of this.

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thatguy2 We tried to warn you
10/21/14 5:10 am

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madeit Houston Area
10/21/14 6:57 am

Uh, then, what kind of comfort is that? Seriously, I don't get it. I feel badly for you but it looks like you're going down anyway?

thatguy2 We tried to warn you
10/21/14 7:05 am

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FemmeAdamWest in the Tardis library
10/21/14 9:52 am

Lol no, letting someone know I'm wishing them well by "sending good thoughts" does not equal me trying to be religious.

l1f2
10/21/14 3:41 am

Agree: It's not directly effectual. But it couldn't hurt.

Spartacus AUSTIN
10/20/14 11:40 pm

Disagree. I can give you good thoughts and wishes without the unnecessary appeals to a god.

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Praetorianus In the uncanny valley
10/20/14 10:27 pm

Unless telepathy isn't supernatural but a natural phenomenon yet not understood ;)

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kermie gaytopia
10/21/14 7:25 am

Until we have any even small bit of evidence that it's natural it's dangerous to talk about it as if it were.

dawl adulting
10/21/14 8:36 am

There ARE things we don't fully understand in the metaphysical world that have nothing to do with religion. I posted this above but will copy again here. www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104351710

kermie gaytopia
10/21/14 1:32 pm

You'll have to explain more what you mean dawl because that link seems to be all about religion to me.

dawl adulting
10/21/14 1:37 pm

Kermie I'm talking more about positive thinking than prayer, and the "love study" they mentioned.

kermie gaytopia
10/21/14 1:39 pm

Okay maybe I didn't make it that far because I was disgusted by the religious patient with HIV who's refusing medication because Jesus.

dawl adulting
10/21/14 1:42 pm

Lol! I didn't even read that part!

fredd TrumpLand
10/20/14 9:42 pm

I'm a telepath.

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Colorado303 Future Seattle Resident
10/20/14 9:48 pm

Me too. Did you get that?

fredd TrumpLand
10/20/14 9:50 pm

No. I'm careful to avoid abusing my ability. I try to value other people's privacy.

fredd TrumpLand
10/21/14 9:19 am

Bit busy just now, please leave a message.