I met my best friend in college and we were inseparable ever since. For 22 years we talked on the phone and text every day. She had become more of a sister to me. We have different beliefs and that’s ok bc everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. She made it clear that she does not believe in god or in the power of prayer but was always asking me for prayers. I prayed for her every single night. One day I asked her a question that I’ve always wondered about but figured if I could ask anyone, it would be my best friend. So I said, for people in general, not just you…. Why do people who don’t believe ask for prayers? I genuinely was curious. Now I wish I would have never asked bc she lost her shit on me and said I was a horrible person, etc. we have not spoken now in months. I’ve tried calling and texting and no response. I feel like an idiot now.
No you weren’t the asshole. You have your beliefs and she has hers but she should value your friendship enough to explain her viewpoint without disdain for you
NTA: You asked a genuine question out of curiosity, and somehow this triggered your friend but that’s not your problem. Crazy reason to stop a friendship with someone. As long as you weren’t rude or sarcastic about it, it’s a very valid question.
Prayers are not GOD-exclusive.
NTA and that is a weird and over the top reaction. and I have never really seen a non-believer ask for prayers before – usually they ask for “positive thought” or “good vibes” or something along those lines, so I think it was a valid question.
NTA, that’s weird. I’m not a believer, but when people say they’ll pray for me or someone in my family going through a hard time, I say thank you. Like a normal person. Get rid of this friend. Not because you have different beliefs, but because she sounds exhausting.
I will say that now that we haven’t spoken in many months I realized how much the friendship was draining me.
NTA however as a non believer myself I ask my grandma to pray for me cause I know it makes her happy.
I’m not sure why your friend so inappropriately went off on you like that when questioned. That part is weird.
I don’t know what’s up with her but my answer would just be that I want to accept you and have you included in my life.
Atheist here. I’ve done that too.
Nta- as agnostic that’s weird she specifically asked YOU, a person of faith, for prayers and then got offended when you had a genuine question! I’m sorry you’ve lost a friendship over this
NTA. What an odd overreaction. Unless you’re not being honest in how you asked? I just don’t truly believe that though.
Maybe she feels called out and is deflecting? Maybe she’a battling with faith and isn’t ready to go there?
I would just let it go and grieve the friendship at this point.
The silent treatment is wild.
I never ask for prayers, but if someone offers it, I just smile, nod and say thanks.
This sounds exhausting and I can’t imagine it’s the first instance.
NTA. As as atheist with friends of various religious beliefs, I find her reaction a bit much. I personally don’t ask my friends of faith to pray for me but if they tell me that they include me in their prayers, I thank them for thinking of me and appreciate them including me in their act of worship even though they know I don’t share it. I think that asking her why is a very normal and reasonable question and it would help you direct your prayers more specifically towards what she is hoping to benefit from.
Perhaps she believes in energy work. Praying is putting positive energy towards others into the universe.
IMO, I think she probably just said “keep me in your prayers” as kind of a vague “think positive thoughts in my direction” and didn’t really mean for you to take it 100% literally and mention her in your actual prayers on the daily.
That’s what I think the explanation is. As for the ruling, NTA, she way overreacted.
NTA – it’s a perfectly reasonable question. Her behavior is just bonkers.
I know there are atheists who do witchcraft as a placebo thing; maybe it’s like that. Her reaction is over the top in any case.