Most atheists and agnostics don’t mind if you offer to pray for them. Just don’t ask them to join in.
A survey sponsored by a former atheist turned faith blogger/data journalist looked at how atheists and agnostics, who make up about 7 percent of Americans, view public displays and conversations about faith.
Only a third say they are uncomfortable when someone asks about their religion. A similar number are uncomfortable when someone else talks about faith. Just over a quarter (27 percent) are bothered by prayer before meals, while 3 in 10 don’t like it when someone offers to pray for them.
By contrast, almost two-thirds (62 percent) say they are uncomfortable when someone asks to pray with them.
For more on this study, read the full-length story “Bow Your Head, Close Your Eyes, And Offend Your Atheist Friend?”
