"We're praying for you!"

[Dobermonster]

It does seem to create an awkward situation . . . like when the pastor told me 'God bless you' a couple times. I know if I were a Christian, the response would be to say 'God bless you' back, but all I had to really say was, "Uh huh".

I think "thank you" works as a response here, since he's essentially wishing you well.  Maybe it would depend on how well you and the pastor knew each other -- would he respond well to a wish that he be touched by a noodly appendage?  Or maybe you could just say "ramen!" and let let the other person puzzle it out.

I did say thank you the first time, and then he said it again in a way that was sort of expecting something more, which just got a 'uh huh' and a smile, and then he left. He's an old friend of my parents, a kindly elderly man, so I didn't really feel like telling him I was an atheist . . . maybe because it felt like I would be hurting his feelings, or that by telling him I was being dismissive of his visit? Morphine kind of makes everything a little fuzzy.

[Buddy]

I did say thank you the first time, and then he said it again in a way that was sort of expecting something more, which just got a 'uh huh' and a smile, and then he left. He's an old friend of my parents, a kindly elderly man, so I didn't really feel like telling him I was an atheist . . . maybe because it felt like I would be hurting his feelings, or that by telling him I was being dismissive of his visit? Morphine kind of makes everything a little fuzzy.

Drugs are bad, m'kay?  

[Hector Valdez]

I usually just say "uh-huh", though I am a firm believer in telling people that that is offensive. Just be polite about it.

[Sandra Craft]

I did say thank you the first time, and then he said it again in a way that was sort of expecting something more, which just got a 'uh huh' and a smile, and then he left. He's an old friend of my parents, a kindly elderly man, so I didn't really feel like telling him I was an atheist . . . maybe because it felt like I would be hurting his feelings, or that by telling him I was being dismissive of his visit? Morphine kind of makes everything a little fuzzy.

Hmmm, I think I would have gone ahead and told him I was an atheist.  It does seem like he was looking for a definitive response and an explanation is better than nothing.  I don't think it would have hurt his feelings if it was said in a friendly way -- just providing information so he didn't go away thinking you didn't like him, or whatever.     

[Beachdragon]

Years ago at Dragoncon (an enormous Science fiction and media convention in Atlanta every year) there was an overlap between exiting conventioners in for a religious convention and incoming Dragoncon patrons.  In this particular instance some of each met in the elevator.  One set stalwart Christians and the other set some really really outlandishly dressed Goths.

The religious people eyed the Goths up and down and then announced, with acrimony, "We will pray for you."

To which the Goths replied, "Do we get to pick which God?"

True story. 

[DeterminedJuliet]

Years ago at Dragoncon (an enormous Science fiction and media convention in Atlanta every year) there was an overlap between exiting conventioners in for a religious convention and incoming Dragoncon patrons.  In this particular instance some of each met in the elevator.  One set stalwart Christians and the other set some really really outlandishly dressed Goths.

The religious people eyed the Goths up and down and then announced, with acrimony, "We will pray for you."

To which the Goths replied, "Do we get to pick which God?"

True story. 

[AnimatedDirt]

I get it.  In context of your point, I wouldn't say such a thing to someone I know is angered or offended at me saying, "I'll pray for you."  Lucky for me, the Atheist friends I do have have no issue whatsoever.  (I asked one over the weekend and another yesterday) Useless, yes, but not something to be angry or offended at.  I need to ask one more to complete my survey. 

But do you really need to say it? [...]
But do you really need to tell the atheist?  [...]
If you are going to pray for the atheist then do it, they don't really need to be told do they?

No, they don't need to hear about it. 

[Sandra Craft]

To which the Goths replied, "Do we get to pick which God?"

True story. 

Well, that's obviously an important consideration!  I do admire people who are quick on their mental feet.

[keithpenrod]

To which the Goths replied, "Do we get to pick which God?"

True story. 

Well, that's obviously an important consideration!  I do admire people who are quick on their mental feet.

I wish I was quick-witted.  I'll think of a comeback like a week later and go up to the person and they're like "Dude, I don't even remember saying that.  It was so long ago, it even pre-dated the Bible."

[Recusant]

I think that most of us have experienced l'esprit de l'escalier. 

[Sweetdeath]

To which the Goths replied, "Do we get to pick which God?"

True story. 

Well, that's obviously an important consideration!  I do admire people who are quick on their mental feet.

Ugggh, those people sound so rude. I would so hate to coexist with a religious convention.

Poor goths. At least they were witty.

[DeterminedJuliet]

I think that most of us have experienced l'esprit de l'escalier. 

Haha, that's a good little expression. 

[history_geek]

l'esprit de l'escalier

The story of my life....

[ThinkAnarchy]

l'esprit de l'escalier

The story of my life....

Indeed. My witty retorts always come to me in the shower.

[Sweetdeath]

l'esprit de l'escalier

The story of my life....

Indeed. My witty retorts always come to me in the shower.

Mine when i am about to fall asleep. And i always have to pee right as i get cozy into bed.