Poll for non-Christians: Does it bother you when people say 'God bless' in their post?

Question

I am NOT trying to put down christianity or any other religion. PLEASE don't take offense.

But, being atheist, I slightly irks me when people say 'God bless' all the time without inquiring whether I even believe in God. I know they mean well, but when 5/6 answers say it, I feel slightly put down. Am I the only one?

Answer 1

I think Christians do it intentionally sometimes to be irksome (kind of ironic isn't it? using God, who is supposed to be love to annoy people).

I don't care though.

Santa bless you.

Answer 2

It makes me roll my eyes, but I don't automatically try to report the answer or anything like that.

Answer 3

I don't really let it irk me. I've got better things to do.

Besides, I usually throw in enough "Hail Eris!" and "Kallisti!" to make up the difference.

Hail Eris!  

Answer 4

I read intentions.  Many put it in there with actual intentions that they want good blessings for you.  These people should not offend you.  However, the ones that just do it because they know you are an atheist and that it will p**s you off are rude and that should bother you.

We all believe different things and we express our beliefs in how we interact with one another.  If someone says "God bless" and sincerely wants your life to have good blessings, you should just thank them for the courtesy.

This, however, is just my opinion.

Answer 5

I'm a Pagan, and I know that most people in this forum are NOT polytheists or animatists... but I am secure enough in my own beliefs and personal faith that what they say doesn't bother me.

If they start turning "God Bless" into "ONLY my God can Bless", that's where I draw the line.  When they feel their belief should be mine, that is when I inform them to back off.

Maybe you can become more comfortable with how others express their beliefs here on the forums as you contribute more and more... I'm just saying that possibly you can get to a point to where you don't notice it any more.

PS - they don't mean to offend you (well, usually they don't) and likely don't understand or conceptualise that there are other beliefs and philosophies out there - many of which the term "god" isn't really accurate or relevant.

Don't let them get you down!

Peace!

Answer 6

I'm a Christian, and I only say "God bless you" to people that I know have a faith of some sort.  On the other hand, I wouldn't get irked, if I were you.  After all, people are just expressing their good wishes for you in their own context.  It would be a different thing if they were trying to convert you by saying "God bless."

In any case, many people have been blessed--whether they realize it or not.

Answer 7

Not really. It's either a. kindly meant,  b.a conversational hiccup from habit, or c. just the rancid cherry on the top of a condescentional pile of bull and less noteworth than the insult that preceded it.

Answer 8

It's a product of habit for most, I'm sure, like when I say God d***.

We DO live in a Christian majority country.

Answer 9

It doesn't bother me in the sense that I am offended, or that I think I should have been asked about my religion or lack thereof, but it does put a slight tinge on my overall impression of the person.  I know that some religious people are otherwise intelligent, but their religiosity still indicates an impaired ability to reason.

Two observations:

1)  If the god the person is referring to exists, it doesn't matter if you believe in him/her.  The deity can still bless you.  It is, therefore, kind of a believer to wish to bless nonbelievers, if "bless" means making good things happen, which I think it does.

2)  It does not, however, make much sense for the wish of a blessing to be written or said to anyone other than the deity.  The deity, after all, will do the blessing.  Why state "God bless" to those one wishes to bless?  It's like going to one's sweetheart and saying, "Florist deliver," instead of going and actually ordering flowers from the florist and telling him/her where to deliver them.

Answer 10

No skin off my proverbial, mate.

Answer 11

And did you ever think of how Christians feel when you say stuff like, "Oh my God". It's an insult to them because you are just throwing God's name around with no respect. You may not mean it as a bad thing, but it still hurts. And the same way with "God Bless", they are saying it with good intentions, just take that as it is. They mean good when they say it.

Answer 12

I'm an atheist - if it's said to me honestly I actually appreciate it - a lot of the time though I get the impression that it's said condescendingly or as a sly way of getting in the last word.

Answer 13

I'll admit that it can irk me, as it seems that they are trying to push their beliefs on the world.  However they more than  likely simply see it as a pleasantry so I can look past it.

Answer 14

It doesn't mean anything to me, it's just another closing phrase .

Answer 15

It bothers me in real life.  Not in online messages.

Answer 16

I live in the bible belt, so no.  If things like that bothered me, I'd have to move.

Answer 17

Honestly it all depends on why they said it.  Some of them actually want to give you good wishes and blessings, and then there are the ones that do it just to get under your skin.  

Those second ones DO p**s me off cause all they are really doing in essence is making themselves look like hypocrites and an a*****e to boot!  

The first group however, I don't really mind.  It's no different to them than me saying Blessed Be as a pagan.  It is simply a term of well wishing for them.

Answer 18

I'm non-christian.

I'm referring to the Benevolent Ganish.

Answer 19

No, it doesn't bother me at all, it is like myself saying, "take care".

Answer 20

Well, it makes me realize that they are not aware that they are ordering God around when they say what they do.

God for them is just their power to inflict pain or pleasure.

Answer 21

They only mean well.

Answer 22

on a christians side it's like saying good luck or have a nice day , it's to them is a very high complement and best wishes.

Answer 23

Not at all. What bothers me is when they say they feel sorry for me.  

Answer 24

h**l no you are NOT the only one, it really bugs me when someone answers a question with it or will answer "god will take care of you" it really pisses me off.

If i want a religous BS answer I would have put it in the religion section.

Right ive had my wee rant now LOL

Answer 25

Only if they say it after being a complete a*****e.

Like, "You're going to burn in h**l if you don't bow down and worship HIM."

Or, "You're just too prideful and ignorant to admit you believe in GOD!"

And then they end it with "God bless!" And they think it makes them...what? Look better? Does ending on a smiley-faced band-aid make being an a*****e okay? If I beat someone senseless and then gave them a hug, would it make the beating alright? No. Otherwise, it's just..."Meh."

Answer 26

I don't really care.

Answer 27

I find it extremely amusing on the one hand (seeing as invisible sky chappies don't exist) and rather arrogant on the other (IF the invisible sky chappie existed why would he obey a chicken-hearted yes-man?)

Either way it exemplifies 'fundie', doesn't it?

Who else would have the balls (or the mind-blowing ignorance and or audacity) to order the 'creator' of all creations to do stuff?

~

Answer 28

I dont care.

Answer 29

Kind of.. but then again, it's just two words :)

Answer 30

No. It's just silly words that mean nothing to me. It's just them wishing you well.