Could you possibly............ .....

Then you won't be surprised to hear that it's a 'no' from me as well. J08, have you answered your own question?

No, not really, although it is something I instinctively do at times. Weird, I know!

No

Jingle - I think people are capable of revising their views in the light of new ideas, so it is not always wise to assume you know how they will respond.

Yes. I can guess very accurately what some posters will be saying.

Yes!

In what at times can seem a harsh and uncaring world any thoughtful act of kindness is appreciated. When a family member was undergoing complex surgery I was touched by a colleagues response which was 'I am going to a prayer group when I finish today and will pray for your loved one' . The surgery was successful and I will always be grateful that another person recognised that it was a difficult time a gave what they could.

Fair enough Bags, good answer> My comments have been sparing after a shaky start on this site. All resolved happily.

ana, yes.

I've noticed I can guess what a poster's attitude is likely to be based on previous responses over the months but only if i 'know' them quite well.

What about the 'non-commitals', Bags? Did you guess those accurately as well?

I didn't guess yours, robert, because I haven't yet read many comments you've made on gransnet. With the others I've formed some kind of mental 'picture' (not a picture in the usual sense) of their general 'leanings'. The game was to see if I was accurate or way off the mark with regard to this thread topic. I might try it on another thread and another topic some time. I don't suppose it means very much really

Yes. I find that interesting Bags.

Bags, how do you guess the responses so accurately?

My wife says my face is an open book,but I guess that wouldnt work here.

Nanapug, have you told your vicar cousin his comments make you angry. He's probably trying to help, in his own, even pompous, way.

No, in fact when my vicar cousin announces, in an exceedingly pompous fashion, that he is praying for me or members of my family, it makes me angry. If I haven't asked him too he has no right to presume that I want him to.

And mine!

My goodness, bags, did you really guess my response correctly?

YES. but it needs lots of practise to tune in.

I've played a game with this thread. Whenever I see a new name I guess whether their answer to the OP's query is going to be yes or no. Got them all right so far.

When I was getting my knew hip ,it was in the news that a nurse had been reprimanded for praying for a patient. A Muslim Doctor and I were discussing this and he said he always spoke to Allah when doing any sort of procedure.(He'd just very successfully taken a blood sample from my very tiny veins) I ,as a Christian, felt comforted by this.

When my atheist sister was having a double transplant - liver and kidney, she asked all her friends and relatives to think positive thoughts for her. We did, and no doubt the few with religious beliefs prayed for her. I'm sure the thought of all those people cheering her on, helped her recover, just like a sports team getting crowd support can be helped to victory.

Of course, what really saved her was medical science, not our thoughts, but our thoughts certainly helped her mental recovery.

No I don't. Though I think my younger brother prays for me regularly and I have no problem with that. My mum was religious and she prayed a lot, it gave her comfort when she was ill and dying.

Yes!

When my seemingly healthy mother suddenly dropped dead twelve years ago, I welcomed anything which helped me and my family cope, including offers of prayers. Even though I am an atheist I did find the idea of people praying and my mother's name being mentioned in church a comfort.

On a lighter note, I was very amused at feetle's 'just don't sacrifice any goats on my behalf'. I hope I get the chance to say it one day.