Your thoughts on...

AshNoel8

I noticed on another board on here that people send "vibes" for health issues or problems rather than saying "I'll pray for you." I don't know if it is just that board's thing, or if they say that on all of the other boards other than this one. I'm sure it's a politically correct type of thing- no one wants to offend anyone. I would never want to offend anyone either, but the "vibes" thing is kind of weird to me. I just say "I'll pray for you". If the person is an unbeliever, maybe my prayer will actually help them rather than offend them. Has anyone else seen this on another board? Any thoughts? 

iamjoesgurl

Yes, I notice that a lot too.  I think there are a lot of ladies who do not have a faith that post on these boards so they wouldn't have anyone to pray to.   It seems fine to say you'll pray and if they are offended, so be it.  I really think that most people would appreciate it even if they were unbelievers.

kellya01

Some people who are unbelievers say "I'm sending good vibes your way" because what they really mean to say (but don't know it) is "I'll pray for you" or "I have faith that you'll do great."  In modern day America, it seems that instead of using our rights of free speech to allow ourselves to say what we really mean to say, we're over-neutralizing things to the point that God is left entirely out of the picture.  

Sometimes, like when a co-worker recently talked with me about a personal problem, I will say "if you don't mind, I will keep you in my prayers."  Usually, whether believer or non-believer, that person is usually grateful.  Plus, it can serve as a non-offensive witness.  I have found that people open up to me, and in return, I can open up to them.  It has become a relationship builder for me.  

I notice the "vibes" thing a lot on Facebook and on TK boards... ah, such is the anti-tolerant tolerance. America has become so tolerant that now people are anti-tolerant of religious words and phrases.  

rachelea

You know, I found it really interesting how people who are unbelievers handle situations where we, as Christians, would offer prayer. For example, I got deathly ill right before I met FI and ended up going to the ER and was admitted for emergency surgery for something the doctors had "really never seen before" which dealt with my lymph nodes. My mom had to book a flight and leave at 4am in the morning to fly down to be with me and my brother (an unbeliever) watched her frantically leaving for some random illness that no one knew what it was (they thought it was cancer). So my big brother, my protector, is 1000 miles away freaking out because he can't do anything. He wrote on myspace for all his friends to "keep my sister in your thoughts" or to "pray, if that's your thing". It is amazing how helpless people who don't have the power of prayer on their side feel because so much is out of our control and they have no one but their own "thoughts" to turn to.

sessionswedding

I usually follow kellya's example and say something like "if it doesn't bother you, I'll pray for you."  But it is kind of sad that saying "I'll pray for you" is considered incorrect.  I actually get a bit offended when people say "I'm sending good vibes your way" because - as I recall from talking to a Wiccan a long time ago - "vibes" are heavily associated with Wicca, Satanism, and other occult religions.  Thought I'm fairily certain that most of the Knotties who say that don't realize that.

rachelea

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_thoughts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:7f45017c-6eaa-4cc9-a27e-d8d28e0a71a9Post:deebe98f-1deb-408e-93e0-8d93e421f65f">Re: Your thoughts on...</a>:
[QUOTE] "vibes" are heavily associated with Wicca, Satanism, and other occult religions.  Thought I'm fairily certain that most of the Knotties who say that don't realize that.
Posted by sessionswedding[/QUOTE]


Actually, I'd say that MOST people don't know that. I actually didn't know that either. I had friends who were into Wicca when I was in high school but I didn't really ask a lot of questions or want much information about it. That is really interesting to know though...!

JoyMatt424

I agree with Rachel that I don't think most people know that "vibes" are associated with that.

I think it's something people say to say "I'm thinking about you, let us know what happens" type of thing. I always say I'll pray for you, and if they're offended, it happens.

kellya01

Wow, didn't know that tidbit about "vibes" and being associated with occult.  Hmm, I bet most others don't realize that either! 

jenn.daniel

I''ve noticed that too.  This "vibes" thing always made me think of the song "Good Vibrations."  I had no idea it was associated with the occult.

AshNoel8

Thanks for your thoughts girls. I'm glad that you know what I'm talking about and agree with me. I never knew that about vibes being associated with Wicca. That's interesting. I agree with those of you who said you tell people you'll pray for them and if they get offended, so be it. I would think that hearing someone discuss prayer would help unbelievers to open their minds and hearts to Christianity more than if we just all said "I'll be thinking about you." Good to hear your feedback! 

iamjoesgurl

I will add just one other thing.  Sometimes people (unbelievers who know that I'm a believer) will ask me to pray for them.  It often strikes me as odd that they don't really believe, but will accept the prayer just in case God is really real.  Also, in difficult times, unbelievers will often turn to God in prayer (think 9/11).  That is why I feel that for most people, they would appreciate prayers whether they believe or not.

I feel that it is a blessing that I can pray to God who is very real and know that He is there to hear me.  It makes me sad to know that He is not real to everyone.

TriSaratops10

joesgurl- you totally stole the words out of my mouth - I was going to say exactly that, that when things are really rough people seem to turn to God.  I went to Virginia Tech around the time of the shooting and it was amazing that a school that was usually striving to be PC turned to prayer and God during that horrible time.