Dennett on Atheism

Famed philosopher Daniel Dennett writes about some of his friends praying for him after his heart surgery.

But I am not joking when I say that I have had to forgive my friends who said that they were praying for me. I have resisted the temptation to respond "Thanks, I appreciate it, but did you also sacrifice a goat?" I feel about this the same way I would feel if one of them said "I just paid a voodoo doctor to cast a spell for your health." What a gullible waste of money that could have been spent on more important projects! Don't expect me to be grateful, or even indifferent. I do appreciate the affection and generosity of spirit that motivated you, but wish you had found a more reasonable way of expressing it.

Link

I am inclined to agree with this belief. Praying to "god" is as arbitrary as any pagan ritual or rite.
Other good parts of the essay include a discussion of the term "thank goodness" to literally mean thanking goodness. I am inclined to agree with Dennett when he says that we do not owe anything to an imaginary presence in the sky, but that when we have good fortune it is because of the good actions of the people around us.
When he says "thank goodness" he is thanking the actions of the cardiologist, the surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other medical personnel who kept him alive, NOT god.
It's a very well written essay, I recommend you read it.