I'm not a Christian so I could be wrong...

[CurlewKate]

...but is it a little insensitive to tell someone (not me, and not a very close friend so no need for good wishes for me) who is about to have major surgery, that you are praying to St Jude for them?

No I think it is lovely. They are talking time out of their day to think about the sick person. Real kindness whether you believe or not.

Would piss me off. I’m an atheist and don’t want anyone’s prayers.

Patron saint of lost causes? Maybe a little insensitive before surgery.

I think there's also a healing prayer related to st Jude but I think more people think of the lost causes thing, so if talking to a non-Christian, maybe better to just say "ill pray for you" or "ill be thinking of you"

I'm not a Christian, and think anyone saying "I'll pray for you" is a bit pointless, but I appreciate it's basically like saying "I'll be thinking of you" which most people wouldn't take issue with.

St Jude- patron saint of lost causes. A completely inappropriate thing to say.

It depends on the person. I know of non religious people who love it when people pray for them. I also know not everyone likes it. It's done with good intentions though. They believe in the power of prayer and are thinking of you/whoever. It's not malicious but I can understand it might sometimes feel uncomfortable

Patron saint of lost causes

yeah im not sure id be chuffed with that 😳

just ‘i will pray for you’ i wouldn’t mind

Patron Saint of Lost Causes was the first thing I thought of too.... 🤔

As an atheist I'd find that amusing rather than offensive.

Go and waste your time doing something I don't care about and don't believe in, it's of no consequence at all. 😁

I'd think it was meant with kindness. Obviously the person is religious and feels that saying such things will bring good luck or a positive outcome.

Actors say 'break a leg', but as an osteoperosis sufferer I wouldn't take offence!

'St. Jude, you witnessed the healing power of our Lord Jesus. You saw His compassion for the sick and dying. You yourself touched the sick, shared the sorrows of the mournful, and encouraged the despairing. You received this authority and healing power to work wonders, to cure the incurable, to make people whole. We ask you to intercede with our brother, Jesus, to send His saving grace to heal the sickness and suffering of , to uplift his/her despondent spirit, and to instill hope in his/her heart. Amen.'

They were probably referring to this prayer.^

That is hilarious and in such bad taste.

I once had a project at work that I named 'Jude'. A few months in my Jewish boss asked why. My explanation of 'after the patron saint of hopeless causes' left him monumentally unamused and I had to rename the project.

It was better than a colleague who sent a project to the factory named 'Tridis' which wasn't the problem so much as the second project being called 'Tridat' and annoying the factory manager.

When you say 'tell someone, not me' do you mean, someone else is for surgery and you're taking offence on their behalf?

Oh dear! A bit insensitive.

To the patron saint of hopeless causes?

Really? Are you sure? Have you thought that through?

That's terrible! Might suspect they were being deliberately mean and wishing to cause upset.

MIL went to a convent school, and once going into an exam a nun pressed something into her hand. She sat down and looked at it: a small figurine of St Jude! She was so amused though, that it rid her of her exam nerves!

To me, it slightly implies that the situation is desperate and there is nothing that can be done except pray. If I were awaiting surgery, I would quite like someone to say something like - I'll bring some homemade soup round to you later when you are feeling up to it. This implies you are expecting things to return to normal and you would like to be supportive in the convalescent period.

I'm Anglican so I don't know about praying to saints, but it's a kind thought, just maybe one that should be kept to the person praying until after the op.

It would piss of the half of Christians who are Protestant as well.

It’s nothing to do with being an atheist. The message being expressed is “I consider you a lost cause”- it’s not an appropriate thing to say to someone having major surgery, atheist or not.

I'm an atheist but it wouldn't offend me. They are thinking about the sick person, what more can any of us do during surgery? If their thinking about the person involves praying to someone/thing they believe in then so be it.

There is some data to show a positive correlation between someone praying for you and a more positive outcome but this could be for a number of reasons.

Oh Lord 😑 I’d decide if I liked them or not before taking offence.

MrsSkylerWhite · Today 13:28
Would piss me off. I’m an atheist and don’t want anyone’s prayers.
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I'm an atheist but it wouldn't offend me. They are thinking about the sick person, what more can any of us do during surgery? If their thinking about the person involves praying to someone/thing they believe in then so be it

Youre perfectly entitled to your feelings. It would irritate me.

I was brought up Church of Scotland so my knowledge of saints isn't great, but don't they tend to have a, er, broad portfolio?

So yes, I know about praying to St Jude for lost things, but I suppose he may have other things to do, too?