Dentist who says "God Bless" to patients?

Question

I work with a dentist who will say "God Bless" to patients when she dismisses them. It's like her way of saying "Take Care". I feel this is inappropriate in a business situation in todays world. What do you think? What would your reaction be?

I was told this is a gray area and if no one has complained, it doesn't need to be addressed. My take on it is, why allow it to continue if it may offend someone? I would rather be proactive rather than reactive.

This is a non-profit dental office. The dentist is the dental director of our particular clinic.

Answer 1

You would be incorrect. This is not a gray area and I really do not think you feel this way. I believe you are baiting everyone on an issue that people blow way out of proportion. Its a dentist office, a private practice she can do and say anyting she wants. Its government offices that have to be a little careful with regards to religion not private businesses or individuals. People only say these things in an attempt to over dramatize those who support separation of church against those who try to throw religion in everyone's face. Sad that "Merry Christmas" has become a political statement used by the very individuals who claim to know the true meaning of christmas. But that is what it has become an in your face political statement brought to you by, well, people like you.

Answer 2

In a non-profit office such as yours, perhaps most of the patients are those who have fallen on harder times, and the dentist feels like they could use a little blessing. If they are offended, they are free to not come back. It's such a little thing, a non-issue. When I sneeze, my co-worker ALWAYS says "bless you." That is implied as "God Bless You." There are little phrases like that in the English language that are just so innocuous. Like "have a nice day." I don't question whether the person telling me this really, and truly wants and hopes and strives for the niceness of my day any more than I would think that a dentist telling me God Bless wants to have some say in my religious or spiritual life.

Some of our coins and currency say "In God We Trust". And that's not offensive to anyone who has found money!

Answer 3

I hate political correctness. Why do people find it necessary to walk around constantly worrying about hurting someone's feelings? If this dentist believes in God and she enjoys telling people "God Bless" as they're leaving, so what? It's not as though she's preaching to them and giving them an hour long sermon on why Christians are better than Muslims, for example. If she offends that person, then let them go find another dentist who will work on their teeth for free. And it's not as if she's saying, "God bless, you nasty skank with your green gutter teeth coming up into my office wanting sh!t for free!" I don't think this is as big an issue as you think it is.

Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing.

Answer 4

Why is it so inappropriate? Is our society so PC that someone can't say "God bless" without fear of offending someone? Since you don't claim to be personally offended by it, it seems you are offended on behalf of others. That's like white people getting offended on behalf of "Native Americans" over college mascots. Ridiculous.
"My take on it is, why allow it to continue if it may offend someone? I would rather be proactive rather than reactive." Reactive? To what? Is some atheist going to have a stroke if he or she hears "God bless"? I highly doubt it.
I'm not particularly religious, but I've never been offended at someone's blessing. If a person thinks well enough of me to say "God bless you", I take it as a compliment.
BTW- you referred to it as a non-profit office. I assume you offer free and/or reduced prices for "disadvantaged" people. Correct? If that's the case, and some patient complains about the dentist "invoking God", maybe that patient ought to go elsewhere, and pay like the rest of us do, where they don't have to fear hearing about God. OR-Maybe, they might learn to appreciate people like your dentist, who practice charity and compassion for others, which is a tenet of believers.

Answer 5

What is inappropriate about saying God Bless you to someone? You obviously don't have a personal relationship with God to make such a ridiculous comment such as this. I pray that you stop being so worldly and accept Christ into your heart and in your life so that you can see the error of your ways. God Bless you

Answer 6

I don't think she should be asked to stop. Everyone in this country has the right to practice their religious values. Would you want her to stop if she said something that had to do with anther faith? I know that freedom of religion was established to protect minority faiths. However, this doesn't mean that people who are Christians can't practice their own. This is what irritates me about people who say we can't say "Merry Christmas" anymore when they wouldn't stop someone from saying "Happy Quanza (sp?)". The good thing about this is that in our country, we also have capitalism. Her office doesn't belong to the government, so she can say what she wants as far as her faith goes. If someone doesn't like it, they don't have to go to her anymore. Saying "God bless" isn't forcing a belief on anyone, it's just demonstrating one's own faith, so it's OK.

Answer 7

I wouldn't know why it would offend someone. Thats like going to UK and someone telling you god speed then complaining to parliment.

But this is the USA and our PC or Political Correctness rather Political Cowardess has us changing our ways to a point that every nit picky thing we have to watch.

I really wouldnt care. I really can't care, its not a passion of mine to be a little Beeyitch about the smallest things people do. They are doing non-profit work and making little or no money and someone would be offended at "god bless"? But some people do like to take things too far.

Answer 8

I think it's quite charming in the times we're living in, to be honest, but I suppose I can see what you're saying.
As it is a non-profit outfit, it may be more acceptable than if it was a cutting edge, cut-throat, high prestige practice as it may have an element of charity about it......if you know what I mean?

But anyway...as the woman is the director, who is in a position to say something to her? And is it worth the risk of possibly creating a cool atmosphere?

Answer 9

Sounds as though you have some hostility towards religion. The constitution guarantees freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion. It is her right. If non-profit, it sounds like the dentist is making financial sacrifices to work there, as there is a lot of money in dentistry today with the cosmetic dentistry, etc.

And if someone gets offended, let them go elsewhere. The constitution does not say you have the right not to be offended. So constitutionally, right to freedom of religion trumps non-right to non-offense. To much PC.

Answer 10

There's absolutely nothing wrong with it hon, though people like being very PC about everything, but there's really nothing wrong with this. People are also not complaining because they like it. And as you say, 'in today's world,' they probably don't hear that from anyone but him and they are happy to get those blessings.