Atheist Meme of the Day: "I prayed for twenty years…"

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I’ve decided to make it Quotations Week on the Atheist Meme of the Day. Here’s today’s Atheist Meme of the Day, from my Facebook page. Pass this on; or don’t; or make up your own. Enjoy!

“I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.” -Frederick Douglass

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Atheist Meme of the Day: "I prayed for twenty years…"
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5 thoughts on “Atheist Meme of the Day: "I prayed for twenty years…"

  1. D A
    1

    I can’t be bothered to look it up, but thre’s a good quote to the effect of ‘a thousand pairs of hands praying have less effect than one pair working’.

  2. 2

    When I was a child, I used to pray to God for a bicycle. Then I
    realized that God doesn’t work in that way – so I stole a bicycle
    and prayed for forgiveness.
    — Emo Phillips

  3. 3

    To be fair, I think it’s necessary context to note that Frederick Douglass was an ordained minister and seems to have remained fairly religious throughout, at least as far as I can tell from Wikipedia. It’s a nice quote, but it’s not an endorsement of atheism.

  4. 4

    Wouldn’t it be much worse if life were fair and all the terrible things that happen to us, come because actually deserve them?
    So, now I take comfort in the general hostility and unfairness of the Universe” – Marcus Cole

  5. 5

    Douglass also said that he was inspired to escape by a hymn:
    “Run to Jesus,
    Shun the danger.
    I don’t expect to stay much longer here.”
    He still has a good point. Even many believers will admit that God helps those who help themselves… which from an atheists point of view means we didn’t need God’s help in the first place.

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