I’m not inclined to joke - she really was a voice of humanity in a sea of christianity. And the suddenness is heartbreaking for her family. And also kind of scary, health-wise.
I want to be upset at her treatment here, but I honestly just feel kind of jaded at this point; I expect no less. She was a truly good woman, but these online secularist online communities are a savage bunch, always making foes of friends. What else should we expect than a joke thread when a good person passes? I remember similarly heartless joking when Anthony Flew died, having committed or allegedly committed the same sin of ideological variance.
As Rhea already said, those who made inappropriate remarks here are in the minority. Perhaps they have been so damaged by religion themselves, that they have never gotten over it. Perhaps they lack empathy or don't realize how inappropriate their remarks appear. I honestly don't understand the contempt for Christians, especially for Christians who don't criticize those who hold different beliefs. But, please don't stereotype all of us based on the words of a few. By doing that, you don't appear to be much better than those who you criticize.
But then again, the poor woman is dead so nobody can give her any kind of treatment anymore, so while the remarks of some of my fellow atheists do disappoint me, they aren't treating the woman badly. She's gone. If I did believe in heaven, I think she is the type of Christian who would be there. I even disagree with other atheists about prayer. Prayer doesn't literally save anyone from dying, but it offers a nice placebo affect for lots of people. You might be amazed at how effective placebos can be for many people.
Prayers are just thoughts. When my friends are suffering, I help them if I can, but I also tell them that they are in my thoughts. It helps a lot of people, especially lonely and sick people, to know that someone cares enough about them to keep them in their thoughts. I think the husband of the deceased probably appreciated knowing there were people who cared enough to keep him and his wife in their thoughts. He will suffer from this loss for a long time, but at least he knows he has friends that care about him.
I received a card from a former coworker earlier this week. She did find the need to mention god in the card, but she also lavished praise on me, knowing full well that I'm an atheist. You know what! It made me feel really good to know someone who I haven't seen in over a year is still thinking positive things about me. Considering her own conservative Christian beliefs, she might also be praying for me, and I don't care. It's her good intentions that I appreciate.
