Caught offguard today - a woman said "Have a blessed day"... I truly had no idea

[peacebird]

how to respond.....

I said "you too" but felt queasy....

[whistle]

1. Better than having someone say, "Have a cursed day"

[Mojorabbit]

2. It is a wiccan greeting too

Blessed be. I wouldn't make too much out of it. But that is just me.

[liberalnurse]

27. That was my first thought too.

I guess we would have to be there....The neo-con minions also say such a greeting.:shrug:

Then, we are reminded to go with out gut feeling and hers was "yuck".

[Hepburn]

49. Same here....

...and when someone says that to me, I usually just say, "Blessed be." That seems to cover it and keeps me from feeling awkward and them from not getting a reply.

[Marrah_G]

82. Ditto n/t

[yardwork]

237. I do the same - we can all use a little extra blessing

I honestly can't imagine being offended by this, and I'm as prickly as possible!

[NYC]

3. That was the right response.

Just ignore such things. Sometimes, it's just a figure of speech.

[Turbineguy]

4. "Thanks!...I will...

if Pat Robertson gets struck by lightning!"

[valerief]

14. Good one! nt

[Cleita]

5. I've had people say such to me and I say thank you, you have

a nice day too. There isn't anything you can do about what people say to you so just blow it off without being rude.

[Deja Q]

6. Inflection being nine tenths of the law,

did her voice sound friendly or antagonistic?

[Hardrada]

10. Have a blessed day, du schweinhund!

[Cabcere]

19. LOL! Nice.

Or, y'know, not so nice...but funny. :) Das gefaellt mir. :thumbsup:

[Hardrada]

135. Vielen Dank

[peacebird]

18. Sounded like it was a "test", can't explain it. But it seemed like she was pushing me

I responded politely but it felt like I was being bullied. I know that seems silly to say, but it is how it felt.

[kestrel91316]

38. She wanted to know if you were one of "them". It's code-speak,

like a secret password.

[Raskolnik]

73. Or, just perhaps, she wanted to wish the OP a blessed day

Do ya think?

[valerief]

83. What does that mean? Specifically. nt

[Raskolnik]

87. I would assume, if it were said with a smile, that the person wished good things for you

Why should it be taken any differently? Doesn't it take far more energy to search out an ulterior motive than it does than to simply accept things in the spirit in which they are given?

[valerief]

88. Thanks. Have a god-free day! nt

[Raskolnik]

92. Uh-oh, should I now try and parse your language to find a nefarious motive?

After all, you are "inflicting" your atheism on me in a public setting. Even though you preceded it with "thanks", and I have no reason to suspect you of having ill intentions toward me, should I nevertheless take offense and demand that you conform to the lowest common denominator in all social interactions?

Or, should I respond with "No problem. Take care."?

[valerief]

94. I'm just trying to free you from god. Don't be so touchy.

Just putting the shoe on the other foot.

Have a good one!

[Raskolnik]

101. Um, yeah, the touchiness is sort of the point.

Rather than go out of your way to take offense at a well-intentioned phrase that doesn't harm you one bit, it might be more productive to just accept things in the spirit in which they are given.

I fail to see why it matters if a positive thought is Christian, Muslim, atheist, or SubGenius; if if a person is sincerely wishing you well, it seems to be rather foolish to search out ways to take offense at them "inflicting" their beliefs on you.

[valerief]

103. Thanks. Have god-free day! (said happily). nt

[spoony]

141. Don't be dense.

Blessings can take many forms, including other people. No one saying such things is trying to violate your civil rights or convert you with threat of the dunking pond.

[Dorian Gray]

190. No need to feel bullied....

it's someone expressing good wishes. In the end, it's a vernacular that someone chooses to speak. It's different than anything I would say, but I'd accept it for the good intentions that I'm sure the person meant to pass on to you, and leave it at that. It's certainly not worth stressing over.

[BurtWorm]

223. It wouldn't surprise me if you *were* being tested.

I definitely get that vibe from religious folk.

[valerief]

7. Have a hope- we- get- our- Constitutional- rights- back Day. nt

[cassiepriam]

8. She said a nice thing to you. Just say: thank you, and you have one too. :)

And then I hope you went on to have a day full of blessings and good things.

Oh and have a blessed day tomorrow too :)

[ourbluenation]

13. what cassie said. n/t

:)

[scarletwoman]

84. If we could recommend posts in a thread, I would certainly vote for yours!

Beautifully said!

Oh, and -- Bless you! :D

sw

[cassiepriam]

151. Thankyou! And I hope you have a blessed day today, and every day. :)

[brettdale]

9. you could of smiled and replied

"Allah be praised"

But I guess that would of been a bit mean.

[valerief]

11. I love it! Great response and no more rude than her inflicting religion

on others with her "blessed" qualifier.

[ContraBass Black]

63. Assuming the person were Christian, the correct response would then be

"Amen."

[Forrest Greene]

12. Try This:

"Blessed Be!"

[bklyncowgirl]

15. Nothing wrong with what you said. Polite and respectful.

I mean what the hell were you going to do. Go off on the woman about the evils of born again Christianity and how the separation of church and state means that no one should express any religious feelings in public?

Smile, be polite now of course if she pressed you in some way to express beliefs that you do not, you would politely say that you do not agree with her.

[etherealtruth]

16. when greeted like that I like to assume ...

... that the person is wishing me their best ... and like you respond in kind ... not necessarily wishing them a blessed day but something with the same sentiment.

Think of it as someone wishing you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or Eid Mubarak ... it really is OK to repeat it back to them ... as the greetings (or closings) are phrases that have meaning to them.

It's all part of operating in a civil world.

[jpgray]

17. While it is religious-speak, a lot of nice people with no agenda use it.

It's not always bullying or making rude assumptions.

[The Straight Story]

20. Tolerance is a two way street (nt)

[valerief]

25. You're implying that religious people should recognize that many

people are not religious and should tolerate them, especially in public, civil exchanges? Like saying Have a Nice Day, which doesn't factor religion into the exchange?

Never mind. I'm sure that's what you meant.

[The Straight Story]

26. I meant people should just be themselves, and to over intepret their sayings

If you say 'have a nice day' should I take that to mean X, or simply a polite way to greet?

[valerief]

30. Because the chimperor uses religion as a tool to distract the populace

from real issues, I'm offended by religion being assumed in an exchange between strangers. Using religion that way is like hammering a nail from the chimperor's toolbox. We have to start respecting atheism. I'm not putting down religion when I say that. To each his own. Just don't assume and impose. That's all I mean.

[The Wizard]

40. Have a blessed day?

Thank Zeus we got another one where we're looking at the green side of the grass.

[The Straight Story]

48. So you are upset with the many because of the few?

That to me is the seed of intolerance.

I read stories daily from newspapers across the US that highlight the good things people of faith do for their community.

I have been greeted with everything from shalom to 'wazzzup'. I respect that different people have different ways to greet others or to say goodbye, bitching at them for not using my way seems a tad stuck and elitist.

Damn sad when it gets down to this granular level where we suspect people of things, kind of like people suspect someone of being a terrorist because they mention OBL in an airport.

[valerief]

50. Upset? Another assumption. I think we can separate church and state

in our public language. And we should. Keep religion in the churches and begin respecting atheism.

[Raskolnik]

74. You want people to refrain from public displays of religion?

Wow.

Could you please explain to me how someone wishing another human being a "blessed day" could harm you or society one bit?

[valerief]

76. See #30. nt

[Raskolnik]

85. I saw it, and the question remains.

Just because you don't like something doesn't give you the right to demand protection from it.

Racists don't have the right to demand that black people hide themselves from public view, Christians don't have the right to demand that Muslims refrain from saying As-salaamu Alaikum in greeting, homophobes don't have the right to demand that couples refrain from holding hands in public, and YOU do not have the right to demand that religious people refrain from simple displays of faith that harm no one.

[valerief]

89. Thanks! Have a god-free day! nt

[spoony]

142. Hard to "respect atheism"

when its ambassadors, especially here, are such utter prats.

[Flying Dream Blues]

177. Hear, hear! This is utter BS. Whatever happened to common

courtesy? I agree with another poster who said some people apparently go looking for opportunities to be offended. It seems to be your beliefs are easily threatened if this innocuous remark upsets you. Why don't you try being the change you want to see in the world and give the tolerance you seem to want so badly.

[Leopolds Ghost]

185. When the Mohammed thing came up, a lot of folks came out and said tolerance is overrated n/t

They only believe in Truth, sort of like the Jacobins.

[Leopolds Ghost]

150. How do you "separate church and state when greeting each other?"

Keep the state -- and other people's religious beliefs, or lack there of -- OUT of my mouth, thank you very much. People should respect my religious beliefs by taking greetings in the spirit they are offered. "Bless him/her" is a common phrase in the US (and sometimes sarcastic, to boot!)

"Bless her, that valerief is doing the Lord's work trying to keep religion out of the mouths of the religious! 'od's blood, I hope she doesn't tell me to stop cursing, too!"

[Arugula Latte]

132. Well said, valierief.

I'm tired of people assuming everyone loves Jebus and the Sky Fairy.

[The Straight Story]

134. Wow, tolerance must be second nature to some here

I don't believe everything everyone else does here in the big tent, but at least I try (and sometimes fail I admit) to show tolerance of what others believe.

I don't buy into the whole wiccan thing, but I at least don't prance about telling them they believe in fairy's and such.

I guess MLK, et al, were fairy believers as well. Or those people who believed that someday we could talk without having to be in the same room with people....

[Leopolds Ghost]

153. What would happen if certain folks started going after Wiccans, Buddhists, etc.

The way those few individuals have been going after Christians and Muslims

(often siding with the RW Christians with great relish
when it comes to the latter)?

I predict that a lot of people who have stayed out of
the perennial "christianity versus antitheism" flame-fest
would be offended if they singled out their religions for riducule.

Yeah, yeah, I know "the Chimperor Busholini is NOT a Wiccan so Wiccans don't oppress me."

Well, my religious beliefs tell me to ignore what the President thinks
about religion, because it's not the role of the state to tell me what
to think about religion.

The only reason we have freedom of religion is that people
already felt that way about their own beliefs.

so I don't care if the President is an Atheist or a Voodoo Priest
(as Castro is alleged by religious Cubans to be.) I don't look to
the state to tell me what to think about quantum theory, or ethics,
or religion, or art.

Don't tell me how you think good citizens, or the state, should have a certain attitude on any of these subjects, unless you apply the same
logic to Wiccans, Buddhists, etc.

[HeeBGBz]

166. I always associated "having a blessed day" with Wiccans

They're the only ones who've said that to me. I think they're the ones who say Blessed Be, aren't they? Or maybe it's Pagans?

Why do people strive to be mean to anyone who just tries to say something nice. Isn't there enough ugly in this world?
.

[Marrah_G]

186. It's Blessed Be

For Wiccans and many pagans. As a whole they are very diverse, with many many different Traditions existing mostly at peace with each other. There are no universal "rules" with the exception of "Harm None", and even then you will always find someone on the fringe who thinks that is bunk as well.

If someone wishes me well in any religious term I simply thank them and wish them well. After all, their intent is good and for me it is the intent behind someones words or actions that matter.

[HeeBGBz]

194. Agreed. It's the energy they are sending out +/-

If it's positive, I have no problem with however it is expressed.

[bdamomma]

207. you know there was a time when someone's religion was off limits

now with the increase of christian extremists in this country, I feel they are imposing their will on others, like "my religion is better than your religion", and "our God is better than your God" the respect towards other religions is being thrown out the window.

[ScreamingMeemie]

21. As one who says "Bless you" after a sneeze as a pavlovian response,

that was nice of you.

[Clark2008]

22. Just say, "Thank you," and move on.

She wasn't trying to infringe on your rights - and, in the South, we say it whether we mean anything by it or not.

It's a colloquialism.

[Pyrzqxgl]

23. You're just making trouble for yourself if you give a smart aleck

answer to what might or might not be a good wish for your well being. Just let it go & don't make out of it more
than it probably was.

[sendero]

24. I never resond to that..

.. but I'm thinking to myself "have an existential day yourself".

[Systematic Chaos]

28. One of the bus drivers where I live

is extremely friendly to everyone, but especially so to frequent riders. He never fails to ask my wife and I how we're doing and always tells us to have a blessed day. I know that he is religious but he does not at all come across as a fanatic. Anybody who is a true follower of the teachings of Christ is just fine in my book. It's the fundies who turn my stomach. I wouldn't worry about it at all no matter which type of person this was, but I hope they're like my bus driver. :)

[ScreamingMeemie]

35. You know what?

I really like your username. :hi:

[hedgehog]

29. Don't say good bye to anyone.

You'd be inflicting a "God be with you" on them!

[jpgray]

33. Yes. Let's not bid "adieu" to examining intent as well as our own perceptions

[hedgehog]

41. On second thought, the OP may have a point. It all depends on

where you live. Around here, about half the people are Catholic, but a lot of them never go to Mass. It's assumed that you are Christian, but it's like being a Christian in Europe. Very few people make a big deal about it. There's also an understanding that it's impolite for Catholics to attempt to convert Protestants and vice versa. From what I can gather, some areas are densely populated with the kind of evangelical Christians who try to convert everyone they meet. There, have a blessed day may be an opening shot to a hard core lecture something like you'd get from a door to door evangelist!

[Zywiec]

59. Or celebrate a Holiday since that word comes from "holy day"

[Leopolds Ghost]

155. Don't use the word "good" and "evil" at all since they're religious in origin

Also, when someone tells you to do something on Sunday,
tell them you don't worship the Sun.

On Monday, tell them you're not one of those moon-worshippers.

On Tuesday, tell them you don't worship Thiw.

On Wednesday, tell them you don't worship Odin.

On Thursday, tell them you don't worship Thor.

On Friday, tell them you don't worship Freya.

On Saturday, tell them you don't worship Saturn.

Also, tell them you don't recognize June, July and August
as holiday months, because you don't worship Juno, Julius
Caesar, or Augustus.

Don't take off work in January unless you worship Janus.

In fact, let's be total Jacobins while we're at it
(oops, Jacob was a biblical name and hence a "slave name",
scratch that!) Let's eliminate all idioms that have a
trace of spiritual meaning for people you think are
"superstitious". Year Zero, here we come!

[Dervill Crow]

31. It was probably innocent on her part.

Some people might say, "It's lucky it's not raining today," and others might say, "It's a blessing that it's not raining today." Churchy people just tend to talk that way. Ned Flanders has nothing on some of the people I've known; there was actually a time in my life when "praise the Lord" was a phrase that I habitually used. :puke:

[immoderate]

125. I like "Heavens to Betsy"

But I could throw in a "praise the lord" every now and then. :)

It appears that it's not the expression, but who's saying it that matters. :shrug:

I'm an atheist, and if there were certifications for atheists, I'd have one,;) but I accept all expressions of good will as such. "Blessed" is passive, and leaves it up to the blessee to determine who or what is giving the blessing. Who turns down a blessing? What's the advantage in that?:shrug:

--IMM

[Leopolds Ghost]

156. "Lucky" is superstitious. Away from me with your "good luck" etc...

I ain't letting no superstitious "hope it turns out
best for you" throwing salt over their shoulder at
ME, Tom Sawyer-style.

Anyone with a trace of scientific curiosity knows that
the world is either pre-determined or utterly random,
or both. There is no such thing as a "hopeful outcome"
much less a positive one.

:hi:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

32. It's an expression

To answer it, say "the same to you." That might be the way to answer anyone--because that way you are giving back to them whatever they gave you--if they really were judging you by your response, the judgment was placed back on their shoulders by saying what I put in quotations.

[Raskolnik]

34. And you consider this to be a big deal because...? n/t

[kestrel91316]

36. I consider that sort of thing a subtle form of bragging about one's

being a True Christian(TM). Sort of along the lines of the loud public praying with the hands in the air.

Personally, I'm not so sure Jesus approves of these folks.

[Rockholm]

55. Not only Christians are blessed.

[JerseygirlCT]

64. It's funny, I would have assumed it was coming from a wiccan, myself

Maybe it depends on where you live?

[HeeBGBz]

168. That's what I thought too

That's the only ones who've ever blessed me. Except when I sneeze.

[SoCalDem]

37. A Best Buy clerk said that to me, and I called the manager

when I got home. Told him I did not think that "have a blessed day" was a professional way to respond to customers.
He agreed.

When you are in the public, it's not your place to "preach to" or use religious terminology.

Save it for church....or within your circle of friends or family :)

[valerief]

39. Well said. nt

[gravity]

44. And thats why democrats have a hard time connecting with middle America

[valerief]

51. Religion should have no bearing on democratic activity. nt

[gravity]

67. It's the attitude

when you assume that she was pushing her religous beliefs on you, when more than likely she was just trying to be friendly. The problem is that you fail to see where she is coming from and treated her with contempt.

[valerief]

Another assumption. I don't treat people with contempt. Why do you disrespect atheism? nt

[gravity]

79. I am atheist

I just respect all human beings who act out of the kindness of their heart.

[valerief]

90. Thanks! Have a god-free day! nt

[Leopolds Ghost]

157. When did buying shit at Best Buy (fine Dem credentials, that) become a democratic activity?

How I would love to see a political party that thought a free market meant exactly that (of ideas AND goods) instead of advocating a tightly regulated market of goods and ideas where the "consumer" has no real choice and a limited range of options (Best Buy and "correct responses" when shopping in same?)

Anyone remember Political Correctness and how it supposedly never did
exist, was blown out of proportion by evil anti-liberal rednecks, etc.?

Heck, I grew up in a very liberal area and was having arguments with Marxist-Leninists in college, long before I ever had to worry about people saying something genuinely insensitive to me.

[bklyncowgirl]

47. Give me a break--you got someone in trouble over THAT!

I suppose you'd freak out too if someone said "God bless you" when you sneeze. You probably gave this person plenty of good reason to natter on with his or her Christian friends about the horrors of secular humanists.

I am all in favor of the separation of church and state but getting someone in trouble over what was probably someone's friendly way of speaking does not help win religious people to a more sane way of thinking.

[ScreamingMeemie]

60. Well said, I'd rather spend my time phoning up over truly horrible

customer service than someone saying something that was actually nice.

[Raskolnik]

93. No kidding--if your biggest complaint after a trip to Best Buy is overly polite salespeople

count yourself as already having had a blessed day.

[Raskolnik]

75. Good for you! That will teach him to say something sincerely nice to a stranger.

What a completely a-hole response to a well-intentioned human interaction.

[DerekG]

138. Marvelous. She gave you a fare thee well; you might have gotten her fired.

It's fun going after people with shit jobs, isn't it?

[Leopolds Ghost]

158. Gotta love folks who are "liberal on social issues only" but oblivious to class issues

Who don't realize how close to the edge of poverty
it is for people working at Best Buy (a crummy non-local chain
that does not benefit America economically to shop there as
much as shopping locally would do -- too many "pocketbook Dems"
will claim that as long as they are (a) secular and (b) anti-war,
they are on the side of right and don't have to alter their
consumption patterns -- or their treatment of poor people.)

Hell, I know people who are living on the edge AND are
totally hostile and insensitive to anyone who doesn't
share their views on religion, politics, art, whatever --
one of the reason they are living on the edge financially.

They have a stuck-up sensibility that does not improve
when they finally do get some high-paid graphic design
job or whatever. (I'm talking about folks I know here)

On Edit: Yeah, it's stuck up to accuse folks of shopping in an
anti-union hell-hole when their endless suburb affords them
with no other options. Just as it's stuck-up to blame people
for using an idiom they are accustomed to using. Heck, to use
a completely neutral example, there are the people who grind
their teeth at you if you use the venerable English expression
"ain't".

[spoony]

143. Ugh.

What an ugly thing to do. I honestly wonder what is wrong with some of you on this thread.

[SoCalDem]

146. Regarding your comments, all

1. I did not name the employee, nor did I indicate what sex they were, what time of day it was, which register I paid through, or what I purchased.

2. I was in NO WAY, rude to the person when they said it to me.

3. If the boss decided to remind the employees of the proper way to greet customers, I have no way of knowing.

I have worked with the public my whole life and EVERY place I ever worked, had a DEFINED way that we were to greet people and send them on their way.. a specific phrase to use when answering the phone too.

I doubt seriously that anyone was :scared: fired:scared: over my phone call.

If I ran a business where MY employees were being overly friendly, preachy, flirty, whatever with customers, I would WANT to know so that I could nip it in the bud, before the customers were creeped out enough to shop elsewhere.

[gravity]

42. She was just trying to be nice

It's just an expression, and she probably didn't mean anything more than "have a nice day"

[Leopolds Ghost]

160. If you said "have a nice day" to an Existentialist

He would be within his rights to accost you.

After all, what is "nice"? The world exists.

There is nothing more to it.

"Hell is other people, and you just made my day."

OK, that's the Existentialist view. If they're in a bad mood ;-)

[Duncan Grant]

43. I'd be caught off guard, too. Thankfully, no one says this in SF.

I think "Have a blessed day" is far too informal for social/business interactions. By the way, did she say "bless-ed" (two-syllables) or "blessed" (one-syllable)?

[Leopolds Ghost]

161. I hope they used proper English

Which is "bless-ed" with two syllables,

NOT the one-syllable verb "blessed",

just as two instances of a wolf are called "wolves" but
but he still "wolfs" down his food because that is a verb.

Geez, this is like the PC-ers in 1790s who wanted to
phoneticize the English alphabet in order to free Americans
from the oppression of British thinking.

[lynne]

45. The definition of BLESSED includes -

adjective: having good fortune bestowed or conferred upon Example: "Blessed with a strong healthy body"

adjective: characterized by happiness and good fortune Example: "A blessed time"

I will take any good wishes that are sent my way. If the sender uses language that is particular to their faith of beliefs to bestow those wishes, then I feel that those good wishes are even more personal and sincere. Enough time is spent in this world in anger and hatred. IMO anyone who would use good wishes as a weapon against the person bestowing them says far more about the receiver than the sender.

[Rockholm]

56. Pronunciation of the greeting would be?

Was is blessed or blessED? Thank you for the definitions. People get really too worked up over so little.

[Leopolds Ghost]

163. Blessed is a verb; BlessED is an adjective (this is probably true for any such word, no?)

[sandnsea]

46. No thanks, I'm raising hell as usual

I can't stand that shit. I could never live anywhere that people went around spouting that day and night. Especially knowing they don't DO a "blessed" thing with their so-called religious values in the first place. How do I know that? Look at the poverty and crime and health and education statistics of any so-called religious state or county.

[onenote]

66. you should make sure you go after those DUers offering blessings and prayers

to the DUer that posted today that she had been diagnosed with cancer. Let them know how inappropriate you think that was.

And you should keep on the look out for the occasional DUer that posts "thank god" when someone's lost child is found or a relative makes it home from the war safely. Can't let those backsliders off easy.

:sarcasm:

[sandnsea]

77. If a person asks for it

It's their business.

And you would never find ME saying "thank god" about anything because I don't think "god" has anything to do with one child being found and another ending up stuffed in a freezer by a lunatic. It's stupid.

I also don't think "god" has anything to do with any liberals sense of values, even if they think "god" does. I think they were raised with different beliefs or came to have different beliefs as a result of their life experiences.

[onenote]

116. so you will be sure to let DUers know they're being stupid

when they express a heartfelt "thank god" to another DUers post. I'm sure they'll appreciate the education and never do it again.

And I sure wish that Martin Luther King, the Berrigans and other liberal thinkers were still around so that you could inform that their belief in "god" was (a) stupid and (b) unrelated to their sense of values.

God, it must be great to be as all-knowing as you.

[sandnsea]

148. but you have a right to shove your values on me

How does that work in your mind?

I don't care what people say to each other or believe in. I'd never tell someone what to believe or not believe. You posted to me, I responded. You don't want to know what I think, don't talk to me.

Just like the person in the OP who is running around shoving their religious superiority in other people's faces. You shove it in mine, it's going to get shoved back.

I know that much.

[Leopolds Ghost]

175. Surely you care if people believe in Republican ideology? n/t

[Raskolnik]

203. Yes. People absolutely have the right to shove their values on you by displaying common courtesy

As has been repeatedly stated in this thread, freedom of religion is not freedom from religion. You have absolutely no right to demand that the rest of society protect your delicate sensibilities. You don't get to demand that orthodox Jews remove their Yarmulkes, you don't get to demand that Catholics keep their Rosaries out of your sight, you don't get to demand that Muslims refrain from praying in an airport, and sure as hell don't get to demand that everyone remove any hint of spirituality from their daily lives.

If you cannot stand the sight of people living their lives according to their faiths when it harms you not at all, then you should probably just stay inside all day.

If you are unable to accept a positive greeting or farewell in the spirit in which it is given, I believe it indicates far more about you than the person offering the sentiment.

[Leopolds Ghost]

164. That's hypocritical -- you should let the OP know you think its ignorant of them to ask for prayers

For ill, dead, dying, etc.

Or tell the mods to move all such threads to the Religion forum.

If you seriously believe what you're saying that is.

[The Straight Story]

68. You must not read the news a lot

we are not a religious state, and try checking out http://www.usnpl.com
Read through the local papers. Chances are you will find that churches are helping people out all over - from feeding them to mentoring people just out of prison.

Our secular government on the other hand, seems to be having problems in that area.

Religious folks may not all be good, but they are not all bad either. Kind of a reflection of society in general.

[sandnsea]

78. What I find is

churches helping their own and turning their back on the rest. For the most part. The reason the government is having some problems is because THIS administration turned over so much of our social services to either corporations or those religious agencies, and cut the rest.

It is true that you can find something good in the worst of anything, I would agree with that. Teresa Heinz came out of the Republican Party and look at her.

[Leopolds Ghost]

165. Bill Clinton, God Bless him, got rid of Welfare and Public Housing

And tried to institute nationwide mandatory for-profit medical insurance.

Spare me more of that attitude on the part of government by our leaders.

No, I don't trust the state to be somehow more enlightened by virtue of
not being a religious institution. All institutions are corrupt, or
become so eventually.

Note, that's a derogatory use of "God Bless them",
immediately recognizable to Southerners, that is
entirely sarcastic and unrelated to religion.

[NMMNG]

52. I hear that all of the time around here

I'm an atheist but I usually just say "you too" or "you have a nice day" in response. There's no need to get into a debate or ruckus over it with a stranger.

[Nimrod2005]

53. Ok calm down, no big deal...nt

[misanthrope]

54. Well, the polite thing to do...

...would be to say, "Thank you. Have a good afternoon/day/night."

I think it's innocent enough and merely another way of being friendly. I don't think there's anything malicious or pushy about it and in a world where people treat each other with so much disdain, just be thankful someone is taking the time to say anything.

I remember the first time I drove to the West Coast, I was expecting some of the gruffness common in a lot of the cities back east. What I found was that whether it was Phoenix, 'Frisco or L.A, if you smiled and treated others with respect and politeness, it was returned. The clerks in the stores didn't freak out when you told, "Thanks, have a good day." They just reciprocated.

A lot of my Southern brethren bristle when I inform them the "Southern hospitality" they insist can't occur elsewhere is more common than they realize.

[Leopolds Ghost]

167. Do they bristle in polite Southern fashion? Or are their bristles as pointy as tits on a boar hog?

:evilgrin:

[youthere]

57. How about responding "Thank you..I'll be sure to!"

[Colobo]

58. I just say thanks

[ContraBass Black]

61. It's nicer than "f--- you!"

I would just return good wishes.

[JerseygirlCT]

62. Wow, did that really upset you so?

I would thank her and probably wish her the same, myself.

[onenote]

65. For those that this bothers, what do you say when someone sneezes?

Just curious.

I sometimes say gesundheit and sometimes I say bless you. The latter literally comes from the German word for health, but I'd bet that anyone hearing it translates it in their heads as having the same meaning as "bless you".

[Colobo]

71. English is my second language, and

I was taught at school that I'm supposed to say "bless you" when someone sneezes.

[liberalEd]

86. I don't say anything when people sneeze

What's the point, they just sneezed. It's not like they just had a stroke or something.

It's a sneeze, just move on.

[Leopolds Ghost]

169. When folks said "God bless you" it was literally a prayer for your health.

People saw sneezing (often correctly) as a symptom of plague and other
deadly infections. "God keep you" was the original phrase, I believe.

Meaning "God keep you alive and in good health."

[Colobo]

69. Some people love to be offended so much

that they look for excuses to be offended.

[TX-RAT]

204. Sad isn't it?

[Habibi]

70. Lately, in spite of my anger

I've been telling myself that the world needs more courtesy, not less. So I hope I would have responded with something equally positive, regardless of the meaning behind the well-wisher's comment.

[Maat]

72. I either say, "Have a nice day!" in response ..

or "Namaste!," for the divine in me always recognizes the divine in another.

[scarletwoman]

80. How about "Thank you! You too."

I mean, geeze, was she beating you over the head with a crucifix when she said it? Were you afraid you were going to catch religion cooties from her? Is it that difficult to simply be pleasant and gracious to a fellow human being without worrying about whether they have some nefarious agenda?

I'm truly dumbfounded that such a simple pleasantry could throw anyone into a mini-crisis. It seems very sad to me.

[slampoet]

81. I always respond "It's nice that you belive in Allah but i like you to keep him out of this."

If people get angry that i assume they are Muslim the I nail them for the bigot that they are.

[ScreamingMeemie]

96. You spend that much time on it?

Wow. I've got more pressing concerns than finding offense in what someone says without really thinking about it.

[spoony]

144. You must be a jammer at parties.

[Leopolds Ghost]

171. And worse, slampoet went with Geico.com. Dude, some loyalty! n/t

[TheGriz]

91. You said the right thing - and you should have felt great...

For the record, I'm an agnostic and have no use for any organized religion. Including all the "cool" ones like Wicca, Buddhism, whatever. But seriously, whats the problem? A woman told you to have a good day. Does the wording really matter that much?

Yeah shes a Christian. And maybe shes pretty hardcore. She shouldn't have to hide that at all, its part of who she is. So be happy that you had a nice exchange with her; it brings everyone a little closer together.

Freedom OF Religion is not freedom FROM religion.

[AZBlue]

95. I don't think there's anything wrong with that - it can mean any number of things.

To me a blessed day is simply a good day, one with positive things happening. Who doesn't want one of those everyday??

[Leopolds Ghost]

172. A Buddhist could tell her that attachment is a form of suffering and all is an illusion

And who are you to tell me otherwise, woman! Spare me your intimations of immoderate good fortune! ;-)

[BlooInBloo]

97. I would've busted out laughing.... else mocked the person...

... something like "And the peace of the lord your god ever be bequeathed upon you and your beloved, fair sister".

And then busted up laughing.

[The Straight Story]

99. Why? (nt)

[BlooInBloo]

100. That's why I thought god made religious people - for us to laugh at.

[sandnsea]

140. lol, it all make sense now!!

I always wondered what purpose the lunatic religious fringe served. Now I know!! Back in the days of the John Birch Society, we knew intuitively we were supposed to laugh at them. Funny how people crazier than they ever dreamed of being are now taken seriously. :crazy:

[Leopolds Ghost]

176. Oh great, you mean the Adlai Stephenson era, when the elitist liberal meme originated

Thanks to expressions like "the people are just too damn dumb to
understand" uttered by people who thought the New Deal had been won
and it was time to enjoy the fruits of their oh-so-intellectual labors.

Meanwhile the Cold War had been won and the New Left fell apart
because -- yep -- they were percieved as elitist red diaper babies
who could afford a high-priced liberal arts education and get out
of the draft. No wonder big labor never came out against that war.

[Raskolnik]

102. And that's what makes you such a cool guy.

Not everyone would feel comfortable mocking a person simply because she sincerely wished you well.

[BlooInBloo]

104. Hell - neither would I, if that were ALL she did. But she did more, and everyone knows it...

... it's just that some (religious?) feel comfortable lying about whether or not anything more was involved with what she said.

Lying is ok, if it's to PROTECT religion - eh?

:rofl:

[Raskolnik]

105. What are you talking about?

What possible reason do you have to believe that something else was involved in this exchange?

Who is lying about anything here?

[BlooInBloo]

108. Because everyone who knows English (and quite a few who don't) knows perfectly well...

... that "blessed" is not synonymous with "good". Any suggestion to the contrary, by a competent English speaker, is simply a lie.


EDIT: Typo in subject.

[Raskolnik]

109. Huh?

What do *you* think "have a blessed day" is actually code for?

[BlooInBloo]

110. I don't think it's code for anything. It wears its meaning on its sleeve.

[BlooInBloo]

111. It's hilarious, though, watching you pretend not to "get it".

"What's relgious about the word "blessed"? Isn't it exactly the same as wishing you a *good* day? Huh. I just don't get it!"

:rofl:

:rofl:

:rofl:

Keep goin - let's see the next convince-me-you're-so-stupid-you-can't-tell-the-difference line you have!

[Raskolnik]

114. I'm not saying its not religious, I'm saying its utterly ridiculous to take offense

Of course wishing someone a "blessed day" is a kind of religious expression. No one is arguing otherwise. What we're arguing about is whether it is rational to take umbrage at such a benign expression.

You have yet to offer any reason why or how the expression is harmful in any way.

[BlooInBloo]

115. And the lies continue....

"simply because she sincerely wished you well."

"Of course wishing someone a "blessed day" is a kind of religious expression. No one is arguing otherwise."


One of your statements deliberately hides what I took issue with, and hence is a lie. The other pretend the first statement was never made, and hence is also a lie.

I leave it to you to sort out which is which.

Have a blessed day! :hi:

[Raskolnik]

117. You're being too clever by half. Just say what you want to say.

Person A wished person B a "blessed day". Person B felt that the sentiment was somehow inappropriate. Everyone agrees that the phrase "blessed day" carries religious implications. We have no information suggesting that person A was anything other than sincere in her wish.

You suggested that if it had been you, you would have mocked person A for offering you the same wish.

I think that anyone that would mock another person for offering a wish a "blessed day" is behaving very, very poorly.

[BlooInBloo]

120. I know you think that. I think I was provoked in that hypothetical situation...

... That's where you and I differ.

Thanks for not prevaricating any more though!

I wish the almiest of alms upon your famliest of families.

[Raskolnik]

122. How the hell could someone wishing you a blessed day "provoke" you into mocking them

There is nothing the OP to suggest any provocation whatsoever. If you have to make things up in order to take offense, you may want to reconsider your position.

(And as an aside, where I come from its generally considered bad form to repeatedly accuse someone of lying without providing a shred of argument in support. Thanks in advance for quitting.)

[BlooInBloo]

128. Sigh. Back to pretending to not "get it", eh? I thought you were done with that.

I wish your father, your son, and your holy spirit nothing but the most blessed of psalms.

[Raskolnik]

188. Sigh indeed.

If you care to drop the intentionally obtuse act, feel free to actually discuss the issue any time.

Again I'll ask--without adding more to the situation that was not present in the OP, how does one person wishing another a "blessed" day provoke someone? If it so obvious, you should have no trouble explaining it to me.

[onenote]

118. Did you come to DC this weekend? You could've had fun laughing at the church

groups protesting AGAINST the war.

If you want to see judgmental, I think you should take a look in the mirror.

[BlooInBloo]

119. I never claimed not to be judgemental. At least I'm not superstitious to boot....

... Nor do I quash science... nor do I passively permit the murder of millions... nor do I molest credulous little boys & girls... nor do I try to own women... nor nor nor.

But yes - I am judgemental - ya got me there.

[onenote]

121. and you think everyone who professes to be religious does those things?

And the fact that there are millions of religious people, here in the US and around the world, who oppose the war, who lead lives of charity and righteousness, who protest and work against injustice -- they're just fodder for your mockery.

One cool dude, you are.

[BlooInBloo]

124. Nope - they're just on the same team, and defend that team.

And those who defend a team of that nature are most definitely fodder for my mockery. Whether that makes me cool or not is in the eye of the beholder.

[onenote]

127. So King, Berrigan. Sheehan (she speaks at churches). All fodder for your mockery

You must be great at rallying people to your team.

[BlooInBloo]

129. Who's Berrigan?

In any case, I never claimed that there were *absolutely no* worthwhile people who were relgious, so you go play with your strawman by yourself.

[onenote]

130. I'd rather play with you.

Since you marginalize yourself further with every post.

Daniel Berrigan is one of those "religious" types that plays on the wrong team and is worthy of nothing but mockery, apparently. http:/ /en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Berrigan

I'm assuming you know who Martin Luther King is, but that's just a leap of faith on my part.

BTW, given that virtually every Democratic candidate office would describe themselves as religious, do you actually vote for Democrats or are you too busy laughing at them?

[BlooInBloo]

131. It's another example of the mockworthiness of religion that Presidential candidates...

... must be religious.

But ok - let it be stipulated that you've got your 20-2000 superstar awesome-in-spite-of-being-religious folks. What about the other 200 million - just in America - just present day? lol! The average is FAR from what you'd like me to believe. Or at least far from what you'd like an idiot to believe.

[Leopolds Ghost]

179. Awesome- in-spite-of-being religious?

Is that like being "awesome-in-spite-of-being-Jewish"
or "awesome-in-spite-of-being-black"?

Or is it more like "awesome-in-spite-of-being an English-major"?

(After all, anyone who's listened to Garrison Kiellor knows what THOSE are like)

[Leopolds Ghost]

178. Anyone unfamiliar with Berrigan probably isn't to the left of anyone who's a fan of his.

Take that for what it's worth, since I don't know
if you consider it honorable to be "on the left" or not.

There are plenty of secular centrist Dems, hell, I
know a whole passel of "RINOs" and Libertarians who
vote Dem solely because they are the secular party.

They are with the Clintons and the Gingriches on a
whole host of policy issues, though.

[spoony]

145. You, too, must be grand at social gatherings.

Great to see so many virtuous and gallant representatives of atheism in one thread.

[ScreamingMeemie]

98. So I did it... Dictionary.com. You can check out 5 and 6 and feel better about yourself.

;)

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source bless (blěs) Pronunciation Key
tr.v. blessed or blest (blěst), bless·ing, bless·es

To make holy by religious rite; sanctify.
To make the sign of the cross over so as to sanctify.
To invoke divine favor upon.
To honor as holy; glorify: Bless the Lord.
To confer well-being or prosperity on.
To endow, as with talent.

[Colobo]

112. Again, some people are actually looking for ways to be offended.

[Decruiter]

234. Zackly!

I love the old Carlin routine:
"Have a NICE day!"
"What if I've had 57 NICE days in a row, and I'm ready for a CRAPPY day?"
"I'd like to hear that just once! Have a CRAPPY day!"

[Little Wing]

106. The obvious answer is to panic and run away

Really, is it such a big deal?

[sandnsea]

107. "America is a Christian Country"

And this thread shows exactly why Presidential candidates have to deal with religion these days. It's amazing that so many people can't see that people running around with their "blessed days" is just one teensy step away from a theocracy, in practice if not in name.

[Raskolnik]

113. Oh, please.

The subject of the OP is NOT whether America is a Christian Country or not.

Could you please explain to me how one person wishing another a "blessed" day hurts you or society one bit?

I honestly cannot imagine you're being sincere when you argue that a well-intentioned greeting tinged with religion is a "teensy step" from a theocracy.

[Duncan Grant]

139. I think we could start by saying that language is symbolic.

It's late so please indulge me as I try to capture essential ideas in as few sentences as possible.

Words are culture bound. They have power (conveying meaning).

The words a culture uses can reveal its values and judgments. Language gives you and I an entree into abstract ideas/concepts. For example, there are words and phrases used by gay men that are - for the most part - understood only by other gay men (the meaning is culture bound). And if you understand these coded meanings you also understand much more about the values and standards important to this specific group. I'd also say this is true of regional identities, as well as religious groups, etc. Again, all culture bound.

"Have a blessed day" had no widespread usage 15 years ago. Therefore, how can we explain its current usage? Why and how do so many Americans understand this abstract meaning of "blessed"?

To me, it's obviously "Christian" language; an expression of Christian values and an implicit move to normalize the very personal subject of "faith". To others, it's as innocuous as "Have a nice day". I think Americans were a bit more circumspect in years past. If someone said this to me tomorrow, I'd have to ask them, what do you mean when you say "Have a blessed day"? Honestly, I don't get it. As I said earlier, this phrase would have been terribly out of place (culturally aberrant) 15 years ago.

Personally, I think it's far too familiar and informal. Especially in business transactions or meetings. This phrase is not in common usage (if at all) in San Francisco. I'd bet it's just as rare in Manhattan, L.A. and Chicago. And I can't imagine anyone in Europe using it. Obviously, in other parts of the country people will interpret it differently. It seems awfully suspect to me.

[Leopolds Ghost]

182. "culturally aberrant"? "suspect"? "code word"??

Perhaps gay men in San Francisco should give up their code words, too?

And Southerners should stop saying "tits on a boar hog"?

Some America you want to live in. Sounds like Reverse McCarthyism to me.

You know, in the '60s, when expressions like "right on" became popular in the black community and on the left, people on the right spoke as you do. Saying how it's code, they really mean "RIOT on", etc. "People didn't talk this way ten years ago, they certainly don't talk this way in civilized countries, it must be a plot to undermine our wealthy, well-ordered, tightly controlled society!"

[Raskolnik]

206. And if you have to work that hard to find an ulterior motive for a simple farewell...

you may need to rethink your premise and relax just a bit.

[onenote]

170. "teensy step from a theocracy"? Sure, for the last 210 years or so

I think we'll manage to survive. After all, we managed to survive George Washington, that evil religious fanatic, who clearly was attempting to turn the US into a theocracy when, in his first inaugural address, he ended with the following statement:
"Having thus imparted to you my sentiments as they have been awakened by the occasion which brings us together, I shall take my present leave; but not without resorting once more to the benign Parent of the Human Race in humble supplication that, since He has been pleased to favor the American people with opportunities for deliberating in perfect tranquillity, and dispositions for deciding with unparalleled unanimity on a form of government for the security of their union and the advancement of their happiness, so His divine blessing may be equally 'conspicuous' in the enlarged views, the temperate consultations, and the wise measures on which the success of this Government must depend."

How in god's name have we ever made it this far?




:sarcasm:

[Connie_Corleone]

174. OOPS!! You said "god". That's 30 lashes for you.

:sarcasm:

[Leopolds Ghost]

180. I thought we were just one teensy step from Communism, what with bell bottoms etc.

Hard to keep up.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

123. I Couldn't Even Imagine How Such A Thing Could Ever Make Me Queasy. Couldn't Imagine.

Do you get queasy when someone says 'God bless you' after you sneeze too?

I mean, I guess to each their own as to how they respond or feel about such things but I can't even begin to relate to a mindset that could get queasy from such things.

From my perspective, there's zero reason to feel such ways but I know everyone's different. From my perspective, when someone says something like that, REGARDLESS of whether I shame their same religious beliefs or otherwise, I know that all they are saying is that they wish me a wonderful day. Now there is NOTHING about the sentiment of a fellow human being wishing me a wonderful day that would ever make me queasy. Instead, it would make me smile since the person was obviously a caring soul and one who was wishing me well. I would immediately respond with 'you too!' because as a fellow decent human being I would want to wish them well in return. You definitely did the right thing here. It isn't the religion or otherwise that matters: It's the sentiment expressed. The sentiment was purely kind and I can't understand for a second why such kindness would make you queasy, but I'm glad you did do the right thing in return.

[Nikki Stone1]

126. I guess you could ask her "Blessed by whom?" but that would have provoked a fight

Just say "You too," and move on.

[Leopolds Ghost]

187. You could have also said "what do you mean GOOD?"

(to "have a good day")

I mean really, there is no objective definition of good, so anyone trying
to single out "blessed" or religious person for opprobrium is full of it.

[bridgit]

133. i just don't see the problem, there's a thread with the same topic in the lounge...

everybody freaks out = whatever, yes these are prone to become everyday throw away lines, and that's why one monitors for intent; what? people don't want to have a blessed day? don't want for someone to care if their going to have a nice day? your life (not you OP, but the generic 'you'...sad that i have to qualify that but there that is) is so dull, or ruined that to answer them honestly would send them shrieking & collapsed into a corner of the room crying? what? i don't see the problem...

hindu's have blessed me, cherokee/choctaw tribes women have blessed hubby, this is not a god-less/spirit-less nation and it is not imo a harbinger of theocratic, tel-evangelical intransigence to come; this nation has a goodly percentile of folks with clearly positive & forward thinking heads on their shoulders,

if someone wants to wish me a wonderful afternoon in what is clearly a wonderful afternoon, or a nice day, a bodacious hump-day whatever,

i figure it's icing on the cake, cause too much of the world is screwed sideways already,

i think your reply was right enough :thumbsup:

[Hekate]

136. Extend it to the Wiccan "blessed be" with a sweet smile, & let her chew on that

But then I also respond to Jehovah's Witnesses at my door with a gentle "Go in peace" as I firmly shut the door.

Doesn't hurt to increase the amount of goodwill in the world a bit.

Hekate

[A-Schwarzenegger]

137. ALWAYS be prepared for merciless assaults like that.

[earth mom]

147. Obviously some people on this thread don't care how rude and ignorant this is.

Throwing religion in someones face was just NOT done when I was growing up. It was considered thoughtless, offensive and rude to EVER discuss or mention religion in public in any way. Now because of the fundies and a$$holes like Pat Robertson, Limbaugh and O'Lielly we all have to put up with this non-stop christian B.S. everywhere we turn.

I would have felt exactly the same as you did-blindsided and quesy that I didn't have a zinger of a comeback for someone so thoughtless and ignorant as to not care that my beliefs are just as important to me as theirs are; someone who doesn't have the common sense to know that it's rude to impose your beliefs-even if it's just a few words-on others!

[spoony]

149. Is it insensitive to depressed people

to even say "have a good day"? I mean, you don't know if they're even capable of having a good day. Or maybe they don't want to have a good day. Who the hell is anyone to tell anyone else what kind of day to have?

Yeesh, do some of you really not get that someone saying a farewell like this is wishing you well from their standpoint? They aren't trying to be "rude" or "ignorant" or convert you or get fired for being nice to the wrong a-hole.

I guess we should all just scowl at each other, that way nobody will be offended and the world will be a much better place.

[Perky]

181. oops

[onenote]

162. Would you have felt queasy listening to Dr. King's "I have a Dream" speech

After all, it included several references to god and ended with a quote to the old spiritual: Free at last, Free at last, thank God almighty, Free at last.

I suppose you'd have been puking at that "thoughtless, offensive and rude" mention of religion in public.

[earth mom]

200. It's YOUR way or the highway ain't that so?

You and your friends have been ALL over this thread because you can't handle that others don't want to hear people like you go on and on about your religion. Your behavior TOTALLY proves my point.

NONE of you all can shut the HELL UP-EVER! :eyes:

p.s. BTW-Your point is moot because I'm not offended by MLK Jr. because 1)he was known as a religious leader AND equal rights leader and 2) his speech was about uniting and equalizing EVERYONE-not putting people off because they don't belong to the christian faith, which is EXACTLY what christian fundies do!

[onenote]

201. Did I ever mention what my religion was? Please, tell everyone what it is

This should be fun.
I've never traded posts with someone who is psychic before.

[Raskolnik]

208. Have a double plus good day.

I agree. From now on, we should all stick to the absolute lowest common denominator to ensure no one is accidentally exposed to any beliefs or practices that may make others uncomfortable.

From now on, no interracial or same-sex couples are allowed to appear in public together, lest someone be made uncomfortable. Same goes for any sort of political display, either liberal or conservative. No political rallies, no handing out literature at the train station, no wearing of anti-war buttons. No reading books on the subway, because someone may see the cover and be exposed to dangerous thoughts. And absolutely, positively, no public displays of religion. Any Muslim women wearing a head scarf should immediately remove it in a public area, and any Christian should make damn sure any crucifixes are securely hidden under the clothing.

Let's make it happen.

[earth mom]

214. Wars are not being fought over gay rights but they are being fought because of religious intolerance

That's the difference. There will be no peace until people take religion out of the equation.

[onenote]

230. let's kill all the religious people!

It'll be the fastest way to achieve peace.

[cassiepriam]

152. When someone is wishing good things for you, try to be gracious and accept it.

Even if it is outside your belief system, try to understand
that you are being given a compliment and best wishes.

[ShortnFiery]

192. Why not expand their horizons at the same time by warmly replying ...

in Farsi "Maa-sha'allah?" (As Allah Wills) ;)

Their facial expresion at that point in the conversation can clue you into any underlying bigotry on their part.

[Raskolnik]

205. It must be exhausting to be you.

Why does a simple farewell, honestly given, inspire you to be the bigotry police?

If someone offered you an "As-Salaam-Alaikum," would you try to expand their horizons by and respond with a "Jesus loves you"?

[ShortnFiery]

209. I'm not the bigotry police. I've lived in Iran and it is a proper response.

Surprise surprise surprise. :wow:

Again, I have not ever been told to "have a blessed day" by anyone who is NOT a koolaid drinking southern Baptist. They come out of the woodwork in my part of Virginia. The house down the street proudly flies the "stars and bars" terrorist loser flag from a 15 ft. Flagpole. Another house sports BLACK lawn jockeys.

Oh, it's not exhausting to me because I'm behind enemy lines and to joke about this stuff keeps me sane.

Who's the morality police now?

Peace be with you! :rofl:

[onenote]

215. Here's a thread you should be posting on then

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=440746

Its about a long time DUer who passed away. A number of DUers have offered their condolences with terms such as "go with god" or "god bless" or "be with the angels"

SHouldn't you be over there getting in their faces about how insincere they are?

[ShortnFiery]

219. Thank you for your insincerity ... I'll make my own decisions, thank you.

I would post in that thread, if I knew the woman. "May God hold you in his arms and provide comfort to your family." This is a separate thread of a different topic. Duh. :shrug:

I'm a liberal Catholic who has lived as a child of an Active Duty Military Adviser in Tehran, Iran, under the Shah's rule.

Please note, we are all complex human beings.

In casual public situations, "Have a blessed" day is code speak for people who tend to preach their religion ... but you already suspect it, don't you. Responding with an Islamic reply is not rude but a way of saying, "God Bless the Diversity of our Peaceful Religions."

Albeit I attend Mass every week as often as I can, I don't preach and try to convert my acquaintances to Catholicism.

[onenote]

220. a totally not surprising response

Thanks.

[ShortnFiery]

221. You're most welcome.

:hi: Have a nice day. :blush: :yoiks:

[ima_sinnic]

154. wow--people starving, suffering, dying and in pain in the world,

children without parents, without even a blanket or a crust of bread, animals being abused and in pain, the earth melting and flooding and blowing up -- and you're twisted enough about someone's good wishes to complain about them on a message board.
sheesh.
write again when you're suffering the pain of a hangnail, okay?

[Connie_Corleone]

159. Maybe she should've said, "Have a fucked up day" instead.

There are more important things to feel queasy over than someone wishing you a "blessed" day.

[Swamp Rat]

173. "GOLLY GEE! ... I WILL! ... YOU TOO!!" .......... isn't spreading kindness INSANE?!?

:silly: :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly:

[Perky]

183. Christianity is not the enemy.

Your Hostility towards anything "christian" is truly scary. Christofascists and their politice is the eneamy. Your hostlity is as bad as (if not worse) than theirs. But this person was simply being nice. You be nice too...life is too short to revile simple kindness.

[Puglover]

184. The DNC or Howard Dean

should read this thread if they want the answers to why our party has so much trouble with middle America.

"Polite" is way WAY underrated. Would saying "You too" have been so damn horrid. Jebus. :crazy:

Do you (any many other of the people on this thread) always draw profundity from the cracks on the walls?

[ShortnFiery]

189. Yes, it creeps me out ...

and I'm a practicing Liberal Catholic. :blush:

The only people who have ever told me to "Have a Blessed Day" were dyed in the wool, right wing Southern Baptists.

Talk about "a tell!"

It would be like me concluding a conversation, God Bless you as you Pray the Rosary of Our Blessed Mother." :shrug:

Something really sounds wrong with these statements. :shrug:

[Leopolds Ghost]

191. "Have a Blessed Day!" said Bilbo, and he meant it. But Gandalf looked at him... "what do you mean?"

The sun was shining, and the grass was very green. But Gandalf looked at him from under long bushy eyebrows that stuck out further than the brim of his shady hat.

"What do you mean?" he said. "Do you wish me a blessed day,
or mean that it is a blessed day whether I want it or not;
or that you feel blessed this day; or that it is a day to be blessed on?"

"All of them at once," said Bilbo. "And a very fine day for a pipe of tobacco out of doors, into the bargain. If you have a pipe about you, sit down and have a fill of mine! There"s no hurry, we have all the day before us!" Then Bilbo sat down on a seat by his door, crossed his legs, and blew out a beautiful grey ring of smoke that sailed up into the air without breaking and floated away over The Hill.

"Very pretty!" said Gandalf. "But I have no time to blow smoke-rings this morning. Tobacco is a disgusting and vile habit, and you just stepped down a notch in my estimation! I am looking for someone to share in an electoral adventure that I am arranging, and it"s very difficult to find anyone."

"I should think so—in these parts! We DUers are plain quiet folk
and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable
things! Make you late for dinner! I can"t think what anybody sees in
them," said our Mr. Baggins, and stuck one thumb behind his braces,
and blew out another even bigger smoke-ring.

Then he took out his morning blogger, and began to read, pretending to take no more notice of the old man. He had decided that he was not quite his sort, and wanted him to go away. But the old man did not move. He stood leaning on his stick and gazing at the hobbit without saying anything, till Bilbo got quite uncomfortable and even a little cross.

"Have a Blessed Day!" he said at last. "We don"t want any adventures
here, thank you! You might try over The Hill or across The Beltway."

By this he meant that the conversation was at an end.

"What a lot of things you do use Blessed Day for!" said Gandalf.
"Now you mean that you want to get rid of me, and that it won"t be
blessed till I move off."

[bleedingheart]

193. My favorite "God Bless You" moment was at the mattress store

where this dude was selling me a mattress for my kid's bedroom.

He kept telling me God Bless You...and I just said..."good bye"..

He was later convicted of fraud and racketeering...i guess he didn't have enough blessing...

[kmla]

195. Hmmmm. Someone said to me something like that....

I was walking down the street, and someone said, "High!".

I didn't know if it was a command, like "You - get high!". I had no intention of taking mind altering substances.

I still wasn't sure. Maybe they were asking me "High?". I thought maybe they perceived I was acting as if I were stoned. I wondered if I should be offended, because I thought I was acting as I normally do. Hmmm. Maybe they are too judgmental.

I was still confused, though. If they thought I was high when I act this way, they probably thought that I did use drugs, and were trying to entrap me and see if I would purchase drugs from them. Then they would arrest me.

I decided then to never speak to anyone that I pass on the street. Too many judgmental people there.

[BoneDaddy]

196. And the problem is?

I am not too sure why that would bother you. Even if she was a born again Christian it was a kind thing to say to you.

[treestar]

197. I hear that alot, even "God Bless You"

I don't mind it, they seem to be giving me good wishes, and I can always use that.

[verse18]

198. If someone tells me to have a blessed day

I usually ignore them or say 'okay.' My whole issue with this type of farewell is that it's very insincere. People who say that don't give a fuck what kind of day you have.

[onenote]

202. How are they any less sincere than someone who says have a good day

or a nice day or a great day?

If someone says "Have a blessed day" to me (and I can't say it happens that much, but it has), I assume that they are trying to convey to me what in their worldview and culture is the most sincere, deeply felt way of greeting someone possible. Far from being offended, I'm actually pleased.

[ShortnFiery]

216. Because it is code-speak for the Bible thumpers. Most people know that in The South. n/t

[onenote]

218. so if someone walked out of an evangelical church as you walked by

and they said "have a good day" -- would you be equally offended?

In other words, is it the message or the messenger that bothers you? Because even if someone who is a fundie wished me a nice day or a blessed day, etc., I wouldn't view that as an attempt to get me to convert or anything else. I would regard it as that person expressing, in the terms that they use to convey such sentiments, their wish that I have a good day.

[ShortnFiery]

224. We've already discussed this above, I would challenge ONLY the "blessed day people" with Islamic OR

my own religion's too oft' used code speak in public: "Peace be with You!"

It's not RUDE to provide a counter blessing ... it's a form of communication.

I don't think that you can embrace this nuisance, but that's ok.

My point is that I'm not intending to be rude, but to open up certain people's eyes that Baptists and Catholics are NOT the only people in this world.

On Edit: Of Course, no matter if the person walked out of an RNC headquarters, I'd still respond socially appropriate because that is a common secular expression. Really, stop demonizing me. I'm not that mean.

[onenote]

225. I have absolutely no problem with you responding peace be with you

Seems perfectly appropriate to me.

[ShortnFiery]

228. Good! We have reached a point of agreement.

Maa-sha'allah. <exit stage non-code speak christian liberal left>

[onenote]

229. and shalom back at ya!

[LanternWaste]

199. My grandfather once told me

My grandfather once told me, "the reason there are so many insults is that they're the easiest thing in the world to find. You can look in places where they don't even exist and still find enough to piss you off..."

[bryant69]

210. Why isn't this in the religion forum?

This is a specifically religious question and doesn't belong in General discussion.

Bryant

[Perky]

211. Yeah....The mods locked my companion thread but not this one?????

[bryant69]

213. That leads to certain obvious questions we aren't allowed to ask

But being a moderator is a hard enough job I suppose.

Bryant

[wicket]

212. I'm wondering that too

Sent a message to the mods.

[Perky]

217. Talking about intolerance BAD. Being Intolerant GOOD

:shrug:

kestrel91316 (1000+ posts)
Sun Mar-18-07 07:39 PM
Response to Reply #18

38. She wanted to know if you were one of "them". It's code-speak,

like a secret password.
kestrel91316 (1000+ posts)
Sun Mar-18-07 07:37 PM
Response to Original message

36. I consider that sort of thing a subtle form of bragging about one's

being a True Christian(TM). Sort of along the lines of the loud public praying with the hands in the air.

Personally, I'm not so sure Jesus approves of these folks.
slampoet (303 posts)
Sun Mar-18-07 09:04 PM
Response to Original message

81. I always respond "It's nice that you belive in Allah but i like you to keep him out of this."



If people get angry that i assume they are Muslim the I nail them for the bigot that they are.
BlooInBloo (1000+ posts)
Sun Mar-18-07 09:26 PM
Response to Original message

97. I would've busted out laughing.... else mocked the person...

... something like "And the peace of the lord your god ever be bequeathed upon you and your beloved, fair sister".

And then busted up laughing.
BlooInBloo (1000+ posts)
Sun Mar-18-07 09:30 PM
Response to Reply #99

100. That's why I thought god made religious people - for us to laugh at.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

222. "Have a blessed day."

Sounds like a great underhanded way to tell somebody to "fuck off."

[onenote]

226. Depending on how its said, "Have a nice day" can do the same thing

Of course, it could just mean what it says.

Pretty much anything one says, depending on the context, body language, inflection etc. could be intepreted positively or negatively.

Have a nice day.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

231. Have a blessed day, onenote.

[bridgit]

232. well bless your little ole heart...

[ContraBass Black]

235. May all of you live in interesting times.

[onenote]

238. and remember: God Gave Rock and Roll To You

From the Gospel of KISS.

[alfredo]

227. My name wasn't in the obits, it is indeed a blessed day.

[Contrary1]

233. Personally, after some of the experiences me and mine have

been through these last few years, I would take "blessed" any day.

A couple of the definitions I found:

1) characterized by happiness and good fortune; "a blessed time"

2) having good fortune bestowed or conferred upon; sometimes used as
in combination; "blessed with a strong healthy body"; "a nation
blessed with peace"; "a peace-blessed era"

[Lurking Dem]

236. I have Wiccans and various

others say that to me all the time.

Why is someone wishing you well a bad thing? Are we so invested in being offended that we can't accept niceties any more?

[LaurenG]

239. Locking

This has flamed out of control.