Get well card for religious person

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DMB2007

New member
My beloved fellow WhatTheFuckers, I come to you with a connundrum and hope your collective wisdom can shed some light on my confused path. A great misfortune (we'll just leave it at that) has befallen a family member.

Here's some background on our relationship: When we were children, the two of us were pretty close, but of courses in life took us on different types of adventures, whilst geography widened the gap. While I was soldier, he was studying to become a priest, but neither of those careers became either of our lifelong vocations. Still, he's extremely pious and full of faith, while I am convinced that if God exists, it's just evil as Satan. However, do to the limitted contact we have, when we do hang out, we don't bother talking about Jesus or church or cosmological bullshit -- we discuss shit that really matters: video games, cartoons, football, movies we like and family matters that affect us incommon. So it is the case he might not know I'm agnostic. Normally, I would give three shits about that, but it poses a bit akwardness now.

In light of the recent events, I want to send a card wishing a change in his fortune. My parents suggested I say something along the lines of "in my prayers". But I don't fucking pray!!! However, I don't mind lying to loved one and saying I am praying for them, if I thought it would make them feel better. Unfortunately, he's quite intelligent and may be aware of my lack of faith, and thus know I'm full of shit. I really hope things get better and I want him to feel better, but I don't want to insult his intelligence or make him think I'm mocking his religious fanaticism.

So, here's the question. If you're a Jesus-freak, and someone who doesn't do religion says he'll pray for you, would you get upset? Or would you take it in the spirit is intended, as a get well wish customized to your view of the world? Your input will be appreciated, because I'm agonizing over the wording of this fucking card!
 
Honestly, I would take it the spirit it is intended for, but then again I'm not religious. But if you guys are that close i don't see why he would take the card and think you would be mocking him in his condition(whatever that is). You would be better served talking to him rather than sending him a card because that would avoid the situation competely.
 
First off, I don't get bent when people ask to pray for me. It's nice someone gives a shit enough about you to think about you at all, so it's all good. If you want to send him a card then do it. It doesn't have to be religous. I think a card that says "I really care about you and hope you get better" is good enough without adding "I'll pray for you" when you don't mean it.
 
I don’t see any point in tailoring the way you feel to someone's beliefs. You can speak generally and convey the same thought or feeling. Leave it up to the person reading it to interpret it. Always say what you mean to say... and say how you feel. Don’t lie to yourself or ever go against your own views in order to accommodate someone in a "trying time". I think a man would respect you more for having stuck to your guns under all circumstances than to accommodate his personal beliefs.

Either way you go... he is a man of god and has ultimate forgiveness. He "turns the other cheek" and whatnot. So theoretically you could put "I prayed to Buddha for you" and he would be perfectly fine with your sentiment.

On a different note, im sure his card would not hesitate to say "i am praying for you" reguardless of if or not he knew your beliefs.
 
I'm not religious but most of my dad's side of the family is strongly religious. They happen to know that we are not religious and although they disagree with our views, they still love us for who we are and what we add to their lives. I would try to not worry about whether or not "the priest" knows your religious beliefs and just send him a heartfelt card. The gesture will be much appreciated, whether or not you "pray" for him.
 
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