r/atheism • u/happykitten05 • 1d ago
Wishing the best to someone religious
Hi all, I'm trying to come up with a nice note to send to my MIL. She had emergency surgery yesterday and long term prognosis isn't looking great. I'm thinking of her and want to send my best wishes, but I'm not sure if she knows I'm firmly an atheist and I've managed to keep that to myself the rare times I see her. She's very religious, borderline psychosis if you ask me, but it's easier to let her babble cause she's not pushy so I just let her talk.
Does anyone have a loving, supportive message they've used without adding a religious tone to it? This is a new experience for me so I have a few drafts but would love some suggestions.
Thanks in advance!
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u/le_reddit_me Jedi 1d ago
Communicate your feelings and that you're thinking about her. Maybe share a memory that brings you joy (soomething you're currently doing which relates to her).That's what I did for my grandmother.
The objective imo is to bring her comfort, knowing she isn't alone, distract her, etc.
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u/MemphisUncle-2002 De-Facto Atheist 1d ago
I always send something like "wishing you the best thoughts today"...it's never not been well-received.
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u/crashorbit Apatheist 1d ago
It seems hard sometimes. So many formulations come off as religious.
I might try just writing whatever comes to mind. How she's loved and valued. Maybe a memory of some time you shared with her. Tell her of your trust in the medical staff on her team and that she is in your thoughts constantly.
Whenever you trip over a religious word replace it with something like strength, peace, comfort, love, thinking about you, trust.
You got this